A Long Lost Legendary World War Two Destroyer Has Been Found!
During Veteran’s Day weekend, the announcement of the discovery of a lost warship caused great cheer and joy from everyone, including veterans. The USS Edsall, nicknamed the “Dancing Mouse,” was found approximately 200 miles east of Christmas Island, at a depth of 18,000 feet.
The destroyer was 314 ft long, had a beam of 31 ft, and weighed 1,190 tons when it was built in 1919. The Edsall proved its worth by being active in World War II, helping to aid in the Pacific Theatre, and even gaining two battle stars for her service.
Unfortunately, on March 1, 1942, during a mission to find a sunken ship, The Edsall was attacked by Japanese forces. The destroyer fought valiantly against the onslaught, but it was eventually sunk after being hit by an air strike and finished off by the Japanese ships. A total of 186 American soldiers died on the Edsall, those who managed to survive the sinking were kept as prisoners of war by the Japanese.
After the sinking, the ship was thought to be lost forever until the Royal Australian Navy found it in late 2023, and the announcement was held until the Veteran’s Day of 2024. The Edsall was found to be largely intact, and sitting upright on the sea floor. It is a great relief to know the location of this legendary destroyer, putting it back into the spotlight once more. The actions of the Edsall would certainly be forever remembered for its last stand against the Japanese.
