Currently resting 3,500 feet underwater, the USS Stewart (DD-224) was the only American warship captured by the Japanese during World War II. After being sunk as a target ship off the coast of San Francisco in 1946, the ship vanished from the historical record for 78 years. Now, this so-called “Ghost Ship of the Pacific” has resurfaced, becoming an important testament to new underwater exploration technologies.
Russ Matthews, chair of the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, shared insights with The New York Times about the extensive documentation of the USS Stewart’s service. However, he pointed out a key uncertainty: “What is her current condition after nearly eight decades on the ocean floor?”
The USS Stewart measures 314 feet in length and is now located 3,500 feet below sea level. Remarkably, her shape has changed little over the years, retaining the distinctive “four-piper” profile characteristic of that era’s U.S. Navy vessels, which is named for the four smokestacks that resemble the pipes of a bagpipe from a distance.
Having weathered the trials of World War II and resting on the seabed for 78 years, the illustrious USS Stewart bears witness to history once again. Operated by Ocean Infinity, large autonomous underwater vehicles can map the ocean floor with remarkable efficiency. This technology not only accelerates the construction of offshore wind turbines and underwater cables but also serves as a valuable tool in the search for sunken ships.
Known as the “Ghost Ship of the Pacific,” the USS Stewart was commissioned in 1921 and originally stationed in the Philippine Sea. Following Japan’s invasion of northern China in 1937, she began patrolling the coastal ports of China. After the outbreak of war between the U.S. and Japan in 1941, she returned to the Philippines to prepare for battle.
Throughout the conflict, the Stewart sustained significant damage from Japanese attacks, leading to heavy flooding. At one point, the water inside her hull reached a depth of 12 feet. Ultimately, she was captured and repaired by Japanese forces, returning to her home base in 1944. However, she suffered further damage in 1945 from American attacks until the Japanese surrendered, allowing her to rejoin the U.S. fleet.
In October 1945, the USS Stewart was recommissioned and nicknamed “RAMP-224,” with RAMP standing for “Recovered Allied Military Personnel.” Unfortunately, while en route back to the United States, she experienced engine failure near Guam. After decommissioning in 1946, the Stewart was used as a target ship before being sunk off the coast of San Francisco.
