World's Deepest Shipwreck, Over 10,000 Feet Deeper Than Titanic, Found In Philippines

Explorers have discovered a US Navy destroyer from the World War II era in the Philippines that has become the deepest wreck to ever be discovered.

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The destroyer, USS Samuel B. Roberts was identified on Wednesday, broken into two pieces on a slope at the depth of around 6,985 meters (around 22,916 feet). To put things into perspective, the popular Titanic sank and rests at a depth of around 12,600 feet.

How was the wreckage found?

The discovery was made by American explorer Victor Vescovo, in collaboration with UK-based EYOS expeditions. They were able to search this using the deepest side-scan sonar ever installed and operated on a submersible, well beyond standard commercial limitations of 6,000 meters, according to EYOS.

The destroyer participated in the Battle off Samar, the final phase of the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, where the Imperial Japanese Navy suffered its biggest loss of ships and failed to dislodge the US Forces from Leyte that they invaded earlier as part of the liberation of the Philippines.

Previous records have indicated that the destroyer took down a Japanese heavy cruiser with a torpedo while damaging another. After it lost all of its ammo, the ship was critically hit by the lead battleship Yamato, which caused it to sink.

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Of the 224-man crew, 89 died and around 120 survived including captain Lieutenant Commander Robert W Copeland.

Vescovo said in a statement, ¡°It was an extraordinary honour to locate this incredibly famous ship, and by doing so have the chance to retell her story of heroism and duty to those who may not know of the ship and her crew's sacrifice.¡±

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