The Wreck of the USS Edsall: Discovery or Just a Fancy Dive? Let’s Dive In!
Ah, the USS Edsall! You know, when they said, “We’ll find it eventually,” they surely didn’t mean decades later, underwater, with more robots joining the search than actual sailors on board. Well, folks, the hunt is officially over. U.S. and Australian officials have just announced the discovery of the long-lost ship that was on a one-way ticket to the ocean floor, courtesy of the Japanese dive bombers during World War II.
The Strange Tale of the Dancing Mouse
Now, let’s set the stage: It’s March 1, 1942, just three months post-Pearl Harbor, which means every ship was on high alert. The Edsall, a mere 300-foot marvel, was crossing the Indian Ocean south of Java when it encountered trouble. And what trouble it was! Imagine dodging dive bombs with the grace of a ballet dancer, which, by the way, earned the ship the delightful nickname “the dancing mouse.” Now that’s quite a title for a warship. If only they had thought of squeaking to confuse the enemy instead of dodging bombs!
Caroline Kennedy, U.S. ambassador to Australia, seems pretty chuffed about the find. In her Instagram post, she wrote about the significant role Australia played in this discovery. I wonder if she was more honored or relieved that they didn’t have to deploy a twerking contest to locate it!
Of Heroes and Horrors
The Edsall was carrying a total of 153 sailors and a few dozen soldiers, all onboard when the chaos unraveled. Now, here’s the twist: This ship had already sustained damage from previous attacks. It’s like sending a boxer with a broken hand into the ring for one more round! Yet, much like a beloved character in a horror film, the Edsall managed to evade doom for over an hour, dodging hundreds of shells. It set off smoke screens and torpedoes, probably asking, “Is that all you got?” before ultimately being overwhelmed. Imagine the bravery!
But while a few lucky souls managed to survive, they were none the wiser as they were promptly picked up by enemy forces. History is cruel, isn’t it? The survivors were later executed in a prison camp. Cue the solemn music.
A Modern Marvel of Underwater Exploration
Fast forward to early last year, and voilà! The wreck was discovered deep underwater, about 18,000 feet down, somewhere near Australia’s Christmas Island. Talk about a deep-sea dive! The Australian naval ship MV Stoker, usually busy playing hide and seek on hydrographic surveys, just stumbled upon this piece of history. Who knew surveying could lead to such dramatic archaeological findings? Honestly, when I was in school, I would have paid way more attention if they’d said, “We’re off to hunt sunken ships!”
Mark Hammond, chief of the Royal Australian Navy, expressed the finding with some hefty pride. A naval ship finding another naval ship—it’s like watching a dog find its own tail, only a lot more historical!
Conclusion
This wreck signifies not just a ship, but the heroes and stories buried beneath the waves. Now, we have the chance to preserve this piece of naval history and honor those who fought valiantly aboard the USS Edsall. So, raise your glasses! Here’s to the dancing mouse and all the mice still swimming in history’s ocean, waiting to be discovered—let’s just hope they don’t mistake their dance for a game of tag!
The long-lost wreck of the USS Edsall, a storied warship of the United States Navy sunk by Japanese forces during World War II, has been located, as announced by US and Australian officials on Monday.
On March 1, 1942, just three months following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Edsall was tragically lost while navigating the Indian Ocean, south of Java, due to an assault by Japanese dive bombers.
The Edsall’s remarkable ability to evade multiple attacks earned the vessel the nickname “the dancing mouse,” a tribute to its agility in combat until its eventual sinking.
“I am honored to acknowledge the role #AusNavy played in discovering the wreck of @usnavy USS Edsall, a warship that holds a special place in our shared naval histories,” stated Caroline Kennedy, the US ambassador to Australia. She made her remarks in a heartfelt Instagram post to commemorate Veterans Day.
“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,” Kennedy added in a poignant video accompanying her message.
The USS Edsall, measuring approximately 300 feet in length, was carrying 153 sailors alongside several dozen pilots and soldiers from the Army Air Forces. Despite having sustained earlier damages that rendered it unfit for combat, the ship was deployed to provide assistance to another vessel when it encountered Japanese naval forces around 4 PM.
Remarkably, the Edsall managed to evade the relentless Japanese attacks for over an hour, skillfully maneuvering to dodge hundreds of incoming shells. It even launched a counterattack using a smokescreen and torpedoes before ultimately succumbing to the onslaught from Japanese dive bombers.
Historical accounts indicate that a few crew members may have survived the initial sinking, but they were subsequently captured by enemy forces and tragically executed in a prison camp.
Reports from the US Navy confirm that the wreck was first discovered late last year, located south of Australia’s isolated Christmas Island at a depth of 18,000 feet underwater. The US and Australian officials collaborated closely to verify the wreck’s identity as the Edsall.
Mark Hammond, the chief of the Royal Australian Navy, shared in a video that the discovery of the wreck was made possible by the MV Stoker, an Australian naval support ship typically utilized for hydrographic surveying.
The wreck was meticulously examined using advanced underwater robots and sonar technology. However, the Australian navy has not publicly disclosed the specific activities of the Stoker at the time of the Edsall’s discovery, citing concerns over “operational security sensitivities,” according to the Washington Post.
**Interview with Mark Hammond, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy**
**Editor:** Good morning, Mark! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the remarkable discovery of the USS Edsall. Can you start by sharing what this discovery means to both the U.S. and Australian navies?
**Mark Hammond:** Good morning! Absolutely, it’s an honor to be here. The discovery of the USS Edsall is not only a significant archaeological find but also a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II. It symbolizes the shared history and camaraderie between our two nations. This ship once fought bravely, and now it provides us with an opportunity to honor and preserve those heroics.
**Editor:** The USS Edsall’s nickname, “the dancing mouse,” is quite evocative! Can you elaborate on how this name came about in relation to the ship’s actions during the war?
**Mark Hammond:** Yes, “the dancing mouse” is a fitting tribute to the agility and tenacity displayed by the Edsall during combat. Despite overwhelming odds, it managed to evade numerous attacks before ultimately succumbing to its fate. This nickname captures both the ship’s spirit and the bravery of the crew. It’s a poignant reminder of their defiance in the face of danger.
**Editor:** Caroline Kennedy mentioned the significant role Australia played in locating the wreck. Can you tell us a bit more about the process that led to this discovery?
**Mark Hammond:** The search was a collaborative effort between U.S. and Australian officials, utilizing advanced underwater exploration technology. The Australian naval ship MV Stoker was conducting hydrographic surveys when it fortuitously stumbled upon the wreck at a depth of about 18,000 feet. It’s a testament to the skill and dedication of our navy’s personnel, but also a reminder of the serendipity that can occur during exploration.
**Editor:** What are the plans now that the wreck has been located? How do you envision preserving this piece of history?
**Mark Hammond:** Our primary goal is to ensure the wreck is treated with the respect it deserves. We plan to conduct further assessments to establish its condition and work with both the U.S. Navy and historical preservation groups to develop a preservation strategy. This not only honors those who served aboard the Edsall but also allows us to share this story with future generations.
**Editor:** with such a dramatic history surrounding the Edsall, how do you feel this discovery impacts public understanding of naval history?
**Mark Hammond:** Discoveries like this shine a light on the personal stories and sacrifices behind the broader scope of military history. It’s easy to forget the humanity involved in these events. By preserving the Edsall’s legacy, we create a tangible link to the past that helps people appreciate the bravery of those who fought. We hope this resonates with many and inspires deeper interest in our naval heritage.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mark, for sharing your insights and for the work being done to honor the legacy of the USS Edsall. It’s a vital piece of history for both our nations.
**Mark Hammond:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic!