The USS Stewart was deliberately sunk during a US Navy exercise in May 1946, with its final resting place now located in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off northern California. This information comes from a statement by the Air Sea Heritage Foundation and Search Inc., both of which participated in the investigation. The search was led by Ocean Infinity in collaboration with NOAA and the US Navy.

According to CNN, the wreck was identified using advanced sonar technology during a seafloor survey, revealing that the Stewart lies 3,500ft (1,036m) beneath the ocean’s surface. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) found the Stewart to be largely intact, with its hull remaining upright on the seafloor.

Historical significance

Commissioned in 1920, USS Stewart (DD-224) served in various capacities throughout its operational life, including escorting convoys and participating in training exercises. The ship is notably recognised for its contributions to naval operations in the Pacific theatre during World War II.

After serving with the Atlantic Fleet for its first two years, the Stewart was reassigned to the Asiatic Fleet on 20 June 1922, after transiting through the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean and the Philippines. For 23 years, the ship patrolled the Chinese coast, the Philippines and other US interests without returning to the United States.

On 19 February 1942, the Stewart encountered the Japanese fleet during a night attack in the Battle of Badung Strait. The ship sustained heavy damage from Japanese destroyers, losing its boats and torpedo tubes, while a shell impact flooded the steering engine room.

After arriving in Surabaya severely damaged, the Stewart suffered further damage while docked. Explosive charges were detonated on board, and a Japanese bomb struck the ship as the crew abandoned it on 22 February. Japanese forces later seized the island, refloated the damaged destroyer, and commissioned it as Patrol Boat No. 102 in February 1943. The Stewart served with the Japanese Navy for the remainder of the war, earning the nickname “Ghost Ship of the Pacific” due to its distant sightings.

Following Japan’s surrender, the Stewart was discovered by American occupation forces laid up in Hiro Bay, near Kure, Japan. On 29 October 1945, it was re-commissioned as DD-224. The ship was eventually towed back to San Francisco before being used as a target ship in a naval exercise, sinking after enduring fire for over two hours.