The USS Samuel B. Roberts: Deepest Shipwreck Ever Discovered
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Chapter 1: The USS Samuel B. Roberts
The USS Samuel B. Roberts, a destroyer escort commissioned in April 1944, was constructed to protect and support the expanding American naval forces in the Pacific during World War II. Tragically, it sank just six months later in one of the most significant naval confrontations, known as the Battle Off Samar, which was part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf.
This vessel was relatively small, displacing merely 1,350 tons and crewed by 215 officers and enlisted personnel. Armed with just two 5-inch guns, it was remarkable that the destroyer managed to engage a Japanese cruiser before ultimately being sent to the ocean floor. The Roberts got so close to the cruiser that its guns could not be angled low enough to strike the enemy ship.
Ultimately, the USS Samuel B. Roberts fell victim to the devastating fire from the Japanese battleship Kongo, which unleashed 14-inch shells upon the destroyer. In the wake of its sinking, 90 crew members lost their lives. For an astonishing 78 years, the wreck remained hidden beneath the ocean's depths.
Section 1.1: Discovery of the Wreck
In a groundbreaking expedition led by Victor Vescovo, the wreck of the Samuel B. Roberts was located at an astounding depth of 22,621 feet (6,895 meters). The site of the Battle of Leyte Gulf is known for having some of the planet's deepest waters, with more than 97% of the world’s seafloor lying shallower than 20,000 feet. The Marianas Islands area contains some of the ocean's most profound trenches, likely hiding many vessels that may never be discovered.
To put this into perspective, the Titanic rests at a depth of approximately 12,600 feet, making the Roberts' wreck nearly 10,000 feet deeper—a staggering contrast.
The first video titled "The 7 Deepest Shipwrecks Ever Found" delves into the incredible depths at which these wrecks lie and highlights the remarkable stories behind them.
Section 1.2: Insights from the Wreck
Given the extreme depth at which the Roberts sank, it was fortunate that it was discovered at all. Vescovo has previously located another naval wreck at depths surpassing 20,000 feet, and he believes there are many more American and Japanese ships resting in the deep Pacific.
From the condition of the wreck and the position of its torpedo tubes, it appears that the ship struck the ocean floor bow-first, marking a long and frigid descent from the surface. The bow likely made contact first, coming to a permanent rest on the ocean floor.
Chapter 2: Records and Future Expeditions
As of 2022, the wreck of the USS Samuel B. Roberts holds the record as the deepest shipwreck ever confirmed and filmed, lying at depths that surpass any previously captured images.
The second video titled "Exploring The World's Deepest Shipwreck" provides further insights into the expedition that led to the discovery of the Roberts and showcases the challenges and technologies involved in such deep-sea explorations.
The team collaborating with Vescovo is actively searching for other undiscovered American wrecks, eager to uncover vessels that have lain unseen since their sinking nearly a century ago.
Conclusion
Victor Vescovo's impressive exploration endeavors may reveal even more astonishing finds in the future. He has already discovered two wrecks at depths exceeding 21,000 feet, and many more await discovery, potentially at even greater depths. The deepest point of the world's oceans reaches 35,876 feet in the same region where the Roberts sank. Until a new record is set, the USS Samuel B. Roberts remains the deepest wreck, lying 22,621 feet beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
