The USS Hornet hold a near - legendary status in US Naval history . The colossal aircraft immune carrier haunt the Pacific in World War 2 and found one of the first air raids of the Nipponese homeland , let in Tokyo .
After laying on the murky seabed for over 75 years , the wreck ofUSS Hornet(CV-8 ) was discovered in January by the inquiry vesselPetreland an onboard robotic sub at a depth of 5,200 meters ( 17,000 metrical foot ) off the Solomon Islands . Its location was hunt down using sonar engineering science and naval archives that elaborate deck log and action account from the nine US warship .
The labor was funded by Vulcan Inc , a philanthropic firm commence by the late Microsoft co - founder Paul Allen , which has regain andexplored dozens of shipwreck , deep-set subs , and miss aircraft .
“ We had the Hornet on our inclination of WWII combat ship that we require to place because of its plaza in history as a capital letter carrier that saw many pivotal moments in naval battles , ” Robert Kraft , director of subsea operation for Vulcan , allege ina statement . “Paul Allen was particularly interested in aircraft carriers so this was a discovery that honor his memory . ”
The ship match its violent lot during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October1942 after being struck by a Japanese dive - poor boy and torpedo planes . As detailed by theAircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation : “ WhenHornetandEnterprisewere just north of the Santa Cruz Islands , search aircraft from the opposing military force found each other ’s master fleet . Within 10 minutes , Hornetwas hit by four bomb calorimeter and two torpedo , and sustain significant damage from two Val dive sub that crashed into her . Hornet lose her actuation capability and was dead in the water . ”
“ afterward that afternoon , she was attacked again and hit by another electric ray and two bombs . At this time , she was abandoned and sank early the next dawning . ”
At least 140 souls of its 2,200 - potent crew were lost . Richard Nowatzki , now 95 , was one of the lucky ones . As an 18 - year - old gunner onboard during theHornet’sfinal daylight , he recall the fateful blows with vivid recollection .
" They used armor - piercing bombs , now when they come down , you hear ‘em going through the decks … plink , plink , plink , plink … and then when they break loose the whole ship shake off , ” he toldCBC This Morning .
The recent expedition by thePetreleven manage to capture footage of the gun Nowatzki was manning during the attack .
" I know I ’ve been a very golden adult male , " he added . " The real fact that you may find these ships is mind - boggling to me … I need to thank you for honor me this way . "
