US Navy Destroyer USS Stewart Wreck Discovered off California Coast

An international research team using three autonomous underwater vehicles operated by Ocean Infinity located the wreck of the World War II‑era destroyer USS Stewart at a depth of 1,067 metres within the Cordell Bank marine sanctuary off California. The 95‑metre vessel was found standing upright and remarkably well preserved, described by scientists as "exceptional" for a ship of its age. The search covered more than 1,280 square miles and was completed in a few hours, illustrating a radical shift in underwater exploration brought about by advances in robotics and autonomous mapping technology.

The discovery ends an almost 80‑year mystery regarding the ship’s final resting place after it was deliberately sunk in 1946. Researchers say the wreck now serves as an artificial reef hosting deep‑sea crabs and fish, and future expeditions could provide new insights into both the ship’s historical significance and its role in the marine ecosystem.