The Epic Survival of the USS New Orleans
USS New Orleans bow found, reviving WWII tale of how the cruiser sailed 1,800 miles in reverse after a torpedo strike. Now, more than 80 years later, its missing bow has been found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
The bow lies at a depth of 675 meters (2,214 feet) in Iron Bottom Sound, near the Solomon Islands, a WWII battlefield graveyard.
The Night of Terror: Battle of Tassafaronga
On November 30, 1942, during the Battle of Tassafaronga, a Japanese torpedo struck the New Orleans, detonating its forward ammo magazine and ripping off the front 20% of the 588-foot warship. The blast killed over 180 crew members.
Backward Travel and Coconut Logs
The crew’s quick thinking preserved the ship despite the devastating damage:
- They sealed bulkheads to stop leakage.
- On the neighboring island of Tulagi, they collected coconut logs from the bush.
- They jury-rigged a makeshift bow and steamed in reverse 1,800 miles to Australia.
Retired Capt. Carl Schuster explained the immense challenge of this journey: steering a massive warship backwards across open seas with compromised balance and control.
Discovery in Iron Bottom Sound
The Nautilus Live expedition, a partnership of NOAA, the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, and others, located the New Orleans’ sunken bow on the seafloor. The crew used ROVs to positively identify the debris based on its structure, paint job, and anchor.
Between August and December 1942, battles at Iron Bottom Sound claimed over 20,000 lives and sank 111 vessels. The area earned its name from the many warships lost there during World War II.
Heroic Legacy and Return
Following short-term repairs in Australia, the New Orleans returned to the Pacific front line after sailing to Puget Sound, Washington, for long-term repairs. It participated in significant conflicts like Okinawa and Saipan, assisting in the defense of the U.S. air dominance.
The USS New Orleans earned 17 battle stars, tying for third-most decorated U.S. ship in the Pacific Theater.
Live Exploration Continues
The expedition that uncovered the bow began on July 2 and will run through July 23. Watch real-time footage of discoveries at nautiluslive.org.
Source: CNN
