The Wreck of USS Hornet - Doolittle Raider Rediscovered, Remarkably Preserved

The second of the South Pacific carrier wrecks I have looked at, USS Hornet is in far better shape than Lexington. Hornet is also split into more than one piece, admittedly, but she isn't broken into three pieces. Moreover, her main hull is far more intact than Lexington's, albeit buried deeply in the mud.

What makes Hornet really interesting, though, is the level of preservation. Such as the various smaller details on her wreck that you don't see on a lot of other contemporary shipwrecks.

The CBS video of her discovery:

[BP-]

My father was an SBD pilot assigned to VS-8 on the USS Hornet (CV-8). During the Battle of Santa Cruz, his squadron was attacking the Japanese carrier Shokaku as the Hornet was being bombed and torpedoed. He hit the Shokaku with a 1000 lbs. bomb but unfortunately his squadron was unable to sink it. However, it did put Shokaku out of the war for almost 7 months. During his return to the US fleet, he was attacked by a Zero which severely wounded his rear gunner. He was able to escape but when he sighted the Hornet it was dead in the water, listing, and unable to land planes. Fortunately he was able to find the USS Enterprise. After an initial wave off and with almost empty fuel tanks he was able to land. He rear gunner had lost so much blood that as his plane was being pushed aside, an Enterprise plane handler pointed at his SBD and said "Look that plane is bleeding!" His rear gunner spent 6 months in the hospital but survived and lived until 2007.

[cleverusername]

That tractor still being in place and in such excellent condition is an incredibly evocative image

[GrumpyIan]

"If you find my locker you can have the $44 I've left in it." That gave me a good laugh.

[ridgerunner]

My dad who passed in 1996, was in bombing 8 squadron. He was aboard when she went down in the battle of Santa Cruz. He was an aviation ordinanceman in the squadron and was on board the day she was commissioned and the day she sunk. I remember growing up the stories he told me particularly about Doolittle’s raid. Kids today have no idea the sacrifice these brave men paid to get what we have today- freedom! I’m 76 years old and I also enlisted in the Navy and am a Vietnam veteran as was my dad. Thank you for the photos of the Hornet to those responsible. They bring back wonderful memories of my dad. Never expose her location!

[robertmartin]

My Uncle was on the Uss Hornet CV8, when she was sunk. My Father was on the USS Pensacola in the same Battle and saw her go down. Survivors were oicked up by Destroyers and transferred to the larger ships, some to Pensacola where my Dad was able to see his brother on the Holeworth awaiting transfer to another Ship of the Line. Wonderful Vider. My uncle said the were told they were only 7 miles from land, straight down.

[chrisjeffries]

The fact that the tractor is still parked in the same spot is fascinating. Thank you for the share.

[williewonka]

I remember as an eleven year old kid attending the opening ceremonies for the 1968 USA Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. Jimmy Dolittle was a speaker. I was amazed, as everyone in the stadium automatically rose to their feet in respect. Today, not even the President, if anyone, would get that level of respect.

[ph]

One thing about her and Yorktown’s wrecks are that they’re in great condition. In someways they’re like Enterprise in that they won’t die.

[iamrichrocker]

the Hornet did not want to be forgotten, so kept spiffed up for future generations..to remind these gens what sacrifice and community togetherness..to launch Doolittle's brave band to make a statement..knowing it was their last flight..so much i want to say..but you folks know..thanks again for such an iconic ship to be viewed again..great job

[steveb]

My dad was on the way to join the USS Hornet as a Wildcat pilot when she was sunk. He instead was sent to train in the Hellcat. He did end up on the replacement Hornet.

[Caktusdud.]

Props to petrel for not only finding the wrecks but also keeping their locations hidden to protect them. Hopefully they haven't gone selling that info privately.

Question, have we found Shokaku and/or Zuikaku at all?

[eskimow]

My Great Uncle, Peter A. Duffy, was an officer and engineer aboard USS Hornet during 1942. He was wounded at the Battle of Santa Cruz and survived the war.

[mooseman]

My friend Ed Knoebel who passed away some years ago was a Boilerman On the USS Hornet and was wounded during the attack on her.I did get a few stories out of him and I cherish the memory of my time with him and his Family at his home in Glennallen, Alaska.
Rest in peace ship and Crew !

[davidpacek]

Thanks for posting this. My dad was a Hornet crew member from the day she was launched until the day she went down.

[jamesbrown]

My admiration goes to the Sailor who tied (chained) down that IH tractor.

[fibbs]

The resolution of sonar side scans compared to twenty years ago are simply amazing.

[charliesmorykin]

I cannot believe how pristine this wreck looks after 80 years it's almost as if it just sunk it's amazing

[tdhop]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing it. My uncle, Roy Pippin was a port side gunners mate and was tasked with cleaning and function testing the 1911's that were issued to the Dolittle flight crews. The Captain told him "make sure they are clean and work right, l think they are going to need them. He was manning the guns all day the Hornet went down. I guess the guns never stopped all day. Way cool to see it now!

[elmerfudd]

my grandfather was on the USS South Dakota during the battle of Santa Cruz. He watched the hornet sink. he was behind one of the big guns when a zero flew into it. he had shrapnel down one side of his body (numerous pieces all the way down) and was put in the hospital in New Caledonia to get patched up.

[nodnarb]

The tug is pretty cool. It probably was used to get Doolittle's Raiders in position to launch their attack on Japan. It still has it's heavy weights attached to the rear wheels for pulling heavier aircraft around. I agree that the location of our great shipwrecks should never be divulged considering what the breakers are doing in other parts of the world.