Japanese WWII destroyer torpedoed by U.S. boats discovered on Pacific seafloor — still armed with munitions

A famed Japanese destroyer sunk by U.S. torpedoes during a pivotal battle in World War II has been discovered on the floor of the Pacific Ocean more than 80 years after it sank, an exploration team has revealed. The warship was found still armed with unused depth charges, according to the explorers.

The Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Teruzuki was located by a remotely operated vehicle more than 2,600 feet below the ocean’s surface near the Solomon Islands, the Ocean Exploration Trust announced on Saturday.

“Lying on the seabed at over 800 meters in the Solomon Islands, this is the first time anyone has laid eyes on Teruzuki since it was sunk in WWII’s naval battles off Guadalcanal,” said the trust, which released images and video of the wreck.

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The Teruzuki was located more than 2,600 feet below the ocean’s surface in the Solomon Islands, the Ocean Exploration Trust said.
Ocean Exploration Trust
Teruzuki (which translates to “Shiny Moon” in Japanese) was under the command of Rear Admiral Raizou Tanaka. The legendary naval leader earned the moniker “Tenacious Tanaka” among U.S. forces for leading dangerous attacks and so-called “Tokyo Express” supply missions during the middle of the night.

Weeks before descending to its watery grave, the Teruzuki used its state-of-the-art weaponry to great effect. In November 1942, the 400-foot-long Akizuki-class destroyer used its rapid-fire 100mm guns to help sink two U.S. destroyers, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. The Teruzuki’s torpedoes also severely damaged two other U.S. battleships.

Source: cbsnws