The Ocean Exploration Trust has released stunning footage and images of three aircraft carrier shipwrecks from the intense World War Two Battle of Midway.
Deep-sea explorers on the Nautilus expedition vessel were able to use ROVs to photograph and film the Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi and Kaga, and the US carrier USS Yorktown, during lengthy surveys miles down in the Pacific Ocean.
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“During over 43 hours at depth, we methodically circumnavigated these historic wrecks, bringing to light many features in great detail, including their armament, battle, and sinking-related damage,” explained Daniel Wagner, the chief scientist for the Ocean Exploration Trust.
The Akagi was discovered in 2019, and the USS Yorktown was found during Robert Ballard’s US Navy/National Geographic Society expedition in May 1998, but this is the first time the wrecks have been surveyed in such detail.
Each ROV dive down to the shipwrecks ended with ceremonies paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Battle of Midway.
Photo credit: EV Nautilus / Ocean Exploration Trust / NOAA
