The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public assistance in identifying a mysterious car found within the wreckage of the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier sunk during the pivotal Battle of Midway in 1942. The discovery, made during a recent dive to the wreck, has sparked intrigue as the Yorktown was not previously known to be carrying any vehicles.
During the intense Battle of Midway in June 1942, the Yorktown was heavily damaged by Japanese forces, including the aircraft carrier Hiryu and the submarine I-168. This battle proved to be a decisive turning point for the Allies in World War II. “In a battle as intense as Midway, not every detail is recorded in history books,” explained James Delgado, lead scientist on the 2023 mission, in a NOAA press release. “These dives into the deepest parts of the ocean add to the historical record and connect us to those who fought in this crucial battle.”
The Yorktown rests upright over three miles (five kilometers) beneath the surface, approximately 1,000 miles (1,610 km) northwest of Honolulu. Discovered in 1998, the wreck now serves as a valuable testing ground for NOAA’s deep-sea exploration equipment, used to gather archaeological and biological data.
Yorktown hit on its port side by a torpedo during the Battle of Midway.
On April 19 and 20, 2023, a NOAA-led team conducted remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives to the Yorktown as part of the “Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping” expedition. This expedition aims to assess the ocean environment and prepare for future deep-sea missions. The team’s unexpected discovery of the car has raised questions about its presence on the ship. The Miami Herald suggests two possibilities: it could have been Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher’s flag car, or it may have been brought onboard for repairs before the ship’s sinking.
NOAA Ocean Exploration believes the vehicle to be a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe “Woody” with black trim. Part of the front license plate is legible, reading “SHIP SERVICE,” but the rest has corroded. In a livefeed, a NOAA researcher appealed to the public for help in identifying the car’s exact model and the reasons for its presence on the Yorktown. This has led to widespread speculation online, particularly on Reddit, with users offering various theories.
A photogrammetric model of the USS Yorktown
You can follow the team’s ongoing deep-sea exploration efforts and livestreams on the NOAA Ocean Exploration website. Current dives are focused on an unnamed seamount northwest of Midway, with objectives including investigating the biological diversity and habitat range, characterizing communities of sponges, corals, and other marine life, and collecting geological and environmental samples.
While the current focus is not on identifying further mystery vehicles, the discovery of the car within the Yorktown highlights the ocean’s hidden secrets and the ongoing efforts to uncover them. The deep ocean, despite its remote and dark environment, continues to be a place of discovery, rich with both life and unanswered questions.
