Sunken WWII warship that was submerged with more than 200 servicemen found after 81 years

An American World War II warship has been uncovered at the bottom of the Indian Ocean after decades of being submerged.

World War II was the biggest and deadliest conflict in human history, and there are still many details of the six-year war that remain murky.

However, a recent discovery has shed some more light on one of the navy battles during the conflict.

The Royal Australian Navy recently discovered American World War II warship, the USS Edsall, at the bottom of the Indian Ocean.

It is believed more than 200 American servicemen died when the ship was brought down by Japanese forces on March 1, 1942.

The discovery was made some 200 miles east of Christmas Island, south of Java. The announcement of the discovery was withheld to coincide with Veterans Day, according to a New York Post report.

Caroline Kennedy, the US ambassador to Australia, issued a video statement alongside Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, head of the Royal Australian Navy, commending the find and its historical significance.

Kennedy said: “Captain Joshua Nix and his crew fought valiantly, evading 1,400 shells from Japanese battleships and cruisers, before being attacked by 26 carrier-dive bombers, taking only one fatal hit.

“This is part of our continuing efforts to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will now be able to preserve this important memorial and hope that the families of the heroes who died there will know their loved ones rest in peace.”

Serviceman of the USS Edsall before it was sunk (UN Navy)

The ship reportedly avoided multiple shells from quick maneuvers and was even described as a ‘dancing mouse’ by a Japanese combatant.

When it was sunk, a Japanese ship captured a photograph of it and had it repurposed as propaganda by the Axis alliance.

Hammond added that the ship was a valuable part of both US and Australian naval history.

He said: “The USS Edsall served valiantly during WWII, most notably in the early Pacific campaign. She operated alongside Australian warships protecting our shores, and played a role in the sinking of the Japanese submarine I124 off Darwin.”

The ship was found by the Australian navy when they used ‘advanced robotic and autonomous systems normally used for hydrographic survey capabilities to locate the USS Edsall on the seabed’ while conducting an unrelated, unspecified mission in the area.

The ship was found by the Australian navy by accident (Royal Australian Navy)

As a result, the discovery came as quite the surprise.

Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti also issued a statement about the find.

She said: “The wreck of this ship is a hallowed site, serving as a marker for the 185 US Navy personnel and 31 US Army Air Force pilots aboard at the time, almost all of whom were lost when Edsall succumbed to her battle damage.

“This find gives us the opportunity for today’s generation of Sailors and Navy civilians to be inspired by their valor and sacrifice.”