23.04.2025 10:50
Researchers have discovered a World War II-era car on the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, located 1,600 kilometers off the coast of Hawaii. During a dive conducted by the NOAA Ocean Exploration team, a vehicle was found in the hangar of the warship, which sank in 1942, and had not been documented or recorded in any previous records.
Researchers have discovered a car from World War II on the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, lying 1,600 kilometers off the coast of Hawaii.
During a dive conducted by the NOAA Ocean Exploration team on April 19, a vehicle was found in the hangar of the massive warship that sank in 1942, which had not been documented or recorded anywhere before.
With the help of images shared on social media and automotive experts, researchers identified the vehicle as a 1940-41 model Ford Super Deluxe "Woody" Wagon. Photos taken from inside the sunken ship show that the rear window and spare tire match this model perfectly.
A researcher from the NOAA team stated, "We were able to partially read 'SHIP SERVICE' on the front plate of the vehicle, but the lower part was not legible due to corrosion."
The main mystery for maritime historians is what a car was doing on an aircraft carrier during the war. There are no other known examples of personal vehicles being kept on ships belonging to the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Experts suggest that the car may have belonged to Captain Elliott Buckmaster or Admiral Frank Fletcher. Fletcher had used the Yorktown as his flagship during the Battle of Midway.
The USS Yorktown was attacked by Japanese torpedoes on June 4, 1942, and sank on June 7. Despite the crew throwing planes and heavy weapons overboard to save the ship, for some reason, this vehicle was left on board.
The exploration team reported that they will continue to investigate this intriguing mystery of American maritime history while examining the wreck, which lies 5 kilometers deep in the Pacific.