The Nautilus: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

An exciting breakthrough in maritime archaeology has taken place as an international research team aboard the 'Nautilus' unveiled the long-lost wreck of the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer 'Teruzuki'. This vessel, sunk during the pivotal naval conflicts of World War II in 1942, lies more than 2,600 feet beneath the surface of the Solomon Islands. The discovery occurred during the Maritime Archaeology of Guadalcanal expedition, leveraging advanced remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore the depths. The 'Teruzuki', a 440-foot Akizuki-class destroyer, was commissioned in 1942. Its final hours were marked by tragedy on December 12, 1942, when it was attacked while escorting supply ships near Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal's northern coast. US Navy patrol torpedo boats PT-37 and PT-40 executed a nighttime strike, successfully launching torpedoes that struck the 'Teruzuki', leading to a catastrophic fire. The blast knocked Rear Admiral Raizo Tanaka unconscious and triggered an explosion when the flames reached the ship’s magazines. By 4:40 a.m., the destroyer had sunk, tragically claiming the lives of nine sailors, although most of the crew, including Tanaka, were rescued. This significant discovery was the result of a collaborative effort led by the Ocean Exploration Trust, with support from NOAA Ocean Exploration, the University of New Hampshire, the Solomon Islands government, and various maritime heritage organizations. Sonar mapping conducted by the University of New Hampshire's uncrewed surface vessel DriX provided key insights that guided the team to the wreck's probable location. ROVs 'Hercules' and 'Atalanta' were deployed for detailed exploration, revealing the 'Teruzuki' in two distinct segments, with the stern found 656 feet away from the main hull. This finding contradicted previous beliefs that internal explosions from depth charges caused its demise. Hiroshi Ishii from Kyoto University’s Center for Southeast Asian Area Studies played a crucial role in confirming the identity of the wreck. Reflecting on this find, he mentioned the emotional weight of excavating a relic of war, stating, “Witnessing the Teruzuki shows a real sadness about war. It was very emotional to see this ship’s turrets pointed skyward, designed for anti-aircraft purposes but caught in a different type of conflict.” The waters surrounding the Iron Bottom Sound, where the wreck was found, are notorious for their fierce naval battles in late 1942, resulting in over 20,000 casualties and the loss of more than 100 warships and 1,450 aircraft. Despite the sheer volume of naval engagements, fewer than 100 of these ships have been located to date. This find marks the twelfth wreck mapped during the expedition, contributing to ongoing efforts to document military vessels and aircraft lost in the Pacific Theatre. Notably, the 'Teruzuki' holds historical significance as no photographs or blueprints of the destroyer were recorded due to wartime secrecy. The expedition continues to share live updates of their dives at NautilusLive.org.

The research vessel 'Nautilus' has made a significant historical find by retrieving the ship's bell from the USS 'De Haven' (DD-469), a Fletcher-class destroyer that met its fate in the infamous Iron Bottom Sound near the Solomon Islands. Commissioned in September 1942, the 'De Haven' played a vital role during the Solomon Islands campaign, escorting troopships to Guadalcanal and patrolling the archipelago to counter Japanese forces for several months. On February 1, 1943, while escorting landing craft and a seaplane tender to a new beachhead on Guadalcanal, the 'De Haven' faced a dire situation when she encountered nine Japanese aircraft, of which six turned to engage her. The destroyer was struck by three bombs, tragically leading to the loss of her commanding officer and sinking the vessel just off Savo Island, with a total of 167 crew members perishing in the incident. Dr. Robert Ballard first discovered the wreck in 1992, and the 'Nautilus' returned to the site in July to conduct a detailed re-survey. Utilizing live-stream video inputs from viewers, the research team successfully located the bell dislodged from its mount and resting atop a torpedo mount amidships. The deteriorating condition of the wreck and marine life colonization indicated the urgency of the find, as some areas have become heavily encrusted, and significant structural damage has occurred since the last survey. Additionally, the team achieved a milestone by conducting the first exploration of the USS 'Walke', a Sims-class destroyer that sank during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 15, 1942. During the battle, the 'Walke' fired approximately 300 five-inch rounds at enemy warships but was ultimately struck by a torpedo and sustained heavy shelling. The detonations from her own depth charges killed many survivors in the water as she descended. ROV exploration revealed the intense destruction; the bridge was detached and found separately, with only half of the hull identifiable due to missing bow and stern segments. For further insights into these remarkable underwater findings, check out the videos available here: [USS 'De Haven' Bell Discovery](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oqLozxPV0g&t=416s) and [USS 'Walke' Wreck Exploration](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pfSGpiZ4WY&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.maritime-executive.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE).

A monumental maritime discovery occurred on July 12, 2025, when the research vessel 'Nautilus' located the wreck of the Japanese destroyer 'Teruzuki'. This historic vessel was torpedoed and sunk by a U.S. Navy PT boat during World War II, just two and a half months after her commissioning in 1942. The 'Teruzuki' first entered combat at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October of that year and later participated in a Japanese task force's efforts to attack U.S. forces stationed at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. The ship's initial attempt to engage American forces on November 12 was met with fierce resistance, resulting in a costly nighttime battle for both sides. Notably, during this confrontation, the 'Teruzuki' successfully damaged the destroyer USS 'Sterett' and may have played a role in the sinking of the USS 'Monssen' and USS 'Laffey'. A subsequent attempt on November 14-15 saw limited involvement from the 'Teruzuki'. On December 11, the destroyer returned to Guadalcanal as part of a resupply task force, along with four other destroyers. Their mission involved delivering crucial supplies to Japanese troops on the island. However, as the 'Teruzuki' was leaving the area after unloading the supplies, she came under attack from multiple U.S. PT boats. The assault resulted in two torpedo hits that left the vessel severely damaged and ablaze. Tragically, after three hours of struggle, a fire likely ignited a depth charge magazine, leading to a catastrophic explosion that severed the ship's stern and caused it to sink rapidly. Of the 165 crew members aboard, 156 managed to swim to safety while nine lost their lives in the encounter. The wreck was found in the infamous Iron Bottom Sound, at a depth exceeding 800 meters. The discovery was initiated using an unmanned surface vessel that performed a sonar survey, confirming the wreck site later with an ROV inspection. Hiroshi Ishii, an expert from Kyoto University, identified the wreck as the 'Teruzuki'. The ship's missing stern was located approximately 200 meters from the main wreckage site. Although only about a dozen World War II wrecks in the sound have been identified so far, researchers from Mayer's team speculate that there could be as many as 100 wrecks still awaiting discovery in the region. For a closer look at this exploration, check out the video linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOOdNWncL10.

From September 8 to 12, 2023, an extraordinary deep-sea expedition aboard the research vessel 'Nautilus' took place, uncovering the remnants of three legendary shipwrecks from the World War II Battle of Midway. Among the highlights was the first close-up photography of the Japanese aircraft carrier 'Akagi' since its fateful sinking during the pivotal battle in June 1942. This intensive survey, which included two other aircraft carriers, demonstrated significant advancements in underwater exploration techniques. On September 10, a dedicated team spent an impressive 14 hours investigating the 'Akagi', making it a historic moment as it marked the first sighting of the vessel in over 80 years. The shipwreck was initially discovered during a mapping survey conducted in 2019. The expedition team also achieved the first detailed examinations of the 'Kaga', another ship of the Japanese Imperial Navy, and the famed USS 'Yorktown'. The 'Yorktown' was first located 25 years ago during an expedition led by ocean exploration pioneer Robert Ballard, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy and the National Geographic Society. Utilizing remote-controlled submersibles equipped with high-resolution cameras, the crew successfully captured detailed footage of the wrecks. More than 100 experts from various nations, including the U.S. and Japan, participated in this mission, utilizing video technology to guide the operations and provide expert insight in real-time. Throughout three deployments at depths exceeding 5,100 meters, the team conducted non-invasive visual surveys, marking the deepest remotely operated vehicle dive in the 'Nautilus's' history. Over the course of 43 hours underwater, the crew meticulously circled the shipwrecks, revealing intricate details of their structure, including remnants of armaments and damage sustained during battle and sinking. Remarkably, many anti-aircraft guns remain oriented skyward, offering poignant clues about the final moments aboard these historic vessels. Each dive concluded with ceremonial tributes to honor the lives lost during the Battle of Midway, ensuring that their sacrifice is neither forgotten nor overlooked. For an in-depth report complete with captivating photos and video footage, visit: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wwii-shipwrecks-battle-of-midway-japanese-imperial-navy-akagi-kaga-uss-yorktown/