US warship sunk in World War II found in Philippine waters (photos)

The ship Samuel B Roberts sank during a battle near the central island of Samar on October 25, 1944, when the Philippines was a US colony, occupied by Japan.

A crew diver filmed and photographed the ship’s damaged hull, in a series of dives this month by Texas company Caladan Oceanic.

The images show the ship’s torpedo launchers and the main ball at the front of the deck.

“This is the deepest wreck ever discovered and monitored,” said Victor Vescovo, head of the company, who was driving the dive.
“This small ship faced the big Japanese warships and fought to the end,” he said.

According to U.S. records, warship Sammy B sailed for three days awaiting reinforcements until survivors died from their wounds or shark attacks.

Of the 224-member crew, 89 died in days of fighting between the U.S. Navy and Japanese forces.

Sammy B was one of four U.S. warships that sank in the Oct. 25 fighting, according to records.

A US warship sunk during World War II has been discovered at a depth of about 7,000 meters near the Philippines