Historians say the ship sunk several decades ago, in February 1946, after being hit by a submarine torpedo

Dec 8, 2014 08:14 GMT  ·  By

In a recent report, underwater archaeologists with the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announce the discovery of a perfectly preserved ghost ship off the coast of the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

The vessel, photos of which are included in the gallery below, sunk several decades ago, in 1946, due to damage caused by a torpedo fire. Although the ship's career was well documented by historical records, the whereabouts of its remains remained a mystery until not too long ago.

How the ship was discovered

In their statement announcing the find, the underwater archaeologists behind this research project detail that they came across the ship's remains back in 2013. At that time, they were using sonar technology and a submersible dubbed Pisces to explore Hawaiian waters.

It is understood that the ship currently sits at a distance of about 20 miles (approximately 32 kilometers) from the island of Oahu's coastline. Despite having spent plenty of decades on the ocean floor, at a depth of about 2,000 feet (610 meters), the vessel is very well preserved.

Researchers say that, contrary to what some might assume, it is not turned topsy-turvy or anything of the sorts. Thus, the vessel sits upright on the ocean floor and its wheel is still in its rightful place. Besides, its upper deck appears to be very much intact.

“One of our first views of the USS Kailua was the classic helms wheel on the fantail. The ship was surprisingly intact for a vessel that was sunk with a torpedo. The upper deck structures from the bow to the stern were well-preserved and showed no sign of torpedo damage,” said researcher Terry Kerby.

Seeing how the ship is the property of the US Government and consequently benefits from legal protection, it is to remain in its current location. Researchers say that, for the time being at least, they have no intention to return to the site and explore its remains in further detail.

They do, however, plan to nominate the vessel to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists US locations, structures and objects believed to be important to the country's history and, therefore, well worthy of being protected and preserved.

The vessel's rather impressive career

Historians say that this vessel started out as a cable ship by the name of Dickenson and later on had it changed to the USS Kailua. Between the years 1923 and 1941, the ship helped repair underwater cables in the Pacific and carry supplies. It served stations at Midway and Fanning Island.

In December 1941, the ship was caught up in World War II. More precisely, it was chartered by British telecommunications company Cable and Wireless Ltd. and helped transport employees from Fanning Island to Pearl Harbor. The employees were evacuated because it was believed that the Germans would target them.

In 1942, the vessel was chartered by the US Navy and landed the name the USS Kailua. Until the end of World War II in 1945, it was used to maintain cable and submarine nets in the South Pacific. Come February 1946, nobody had any use for it any longer, and the ship was sunk by a torpedo fire.

Interestingly enough, underwater archaeologists say that the ship still sports the US Navy identification number IX-71 on its bow. In fact, it was thanks to this identification number that the vessel was almost immediately recognized as the USS Kailua, formerly known as the Dickenson.

Commenting on the importance of having discovered the vessel's remains, researcher Hans Van Tilburg said, “From her inter-island service to her role in Pacific communications and then World War II, Dickenson today is like a museum exhibit resting in the darkness, reminding us of these specific elements of Pacific history.”

Remains of ghost ship discovered in Hawaii (5 Images)

The USS Kailua in 1943
Photo shows the vessel's wheelDislodged engine room telegraph lies off the starboard bow of the USS Kailua
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