The Wreck of USS Edsall - A Long-Lost Hero

This is a video I hadn't originally intended on making. I was originally going to hold off on Edsall for more material, much as I am with her sister, Stewart. However, as it turns out, the US Embassy released a video on the wreck.

With both a second sonar look, and an *excellent* photo-mosaic of the wreck. That mosaic is incredibly detailed and more than enough for a video. This isn't to say I won't do a follow-up, should more material be released.

For now, however, the sonar and mosaic are enough. To tell the final part of the story, of a heroic ship and crew.

Embassy Video:

Original Edsall Video:

Second Edsall Video:

[alephalon]

Finding Edsall was really fortuitous. Between her, Stewart, and HMS Hawke, we've had a good year of finding long-lost shipwrecks.

[UncleDansVintageVinyl]

The story of the Edsall always amazes and saddens me. We need to honor the memory of the bravery of its crew.

[robertbenson]

I saw a piece on the news about the discovery. The Australians are very appreciative of the duty and sacrifice of the US Navy in the early days of WWII. The fact that the Japanese wanted to capture different cities along the coast were very real. The loss of Australia would have been devastating to the Allies.
Many thanks for this episode reminding us of the actions of the US Navy in those early, dark days of the Pacific war. The heroism shown is remarkable!

[SuperMaxdragon]

A valiant ship and crew that deserves to be remembered.

[saramorris]

my great great uncle Elmer Charles Halverson (South Dakota) died on the Edsall. My grandmother is still alive and remembers her uncle fondly and is grateful they found the ship and has closer over the loss of her uncle.

[alanh]

You have to admire a captain who drives an Edsel like a Ferrari.

[idlewild]

I look forward to seeing a more detailed video of this wreck! Considering the fate of her brave crew we definitely need to remember this brave vessel!

[merryprankster]

The US Navy stopped painting it's warships white at the beginning of the 20th century, particularly after the Great White Fleet of 1907. Afterwards Warships were painted a Slate Gray called "War Color" until right after the end of World War I. From 1919 until 1941, US warships (including USS Edsall) were painted with #5 Standard Navy Gray (light Gray) on vertical surfaces, #20 Deck Gray (a very dark neutral gray) on steel decks and wood decks unpainted. What you see as white in video is probably the #5 Standard Light Gray Edsall would have worn until 1941.

[alexisesguerra]

What gets me about the loss of Edsall was the circumstances under which she was intercepted. The day before her sinking, she had been directed to return to Java to delivery USAAF pilots tasked with taking delivery of P-40 fighter planes that had delivered there earlier; Java was practically lost at that point, but Nix didn't hesitate to obey orders. And then on that day of her loss, oiler Pecos was attacked by the SAME FORCE that did in Edsall and had sent out a distress signal; many historians agree that Edsall (the closest to Pecos at the time of that attack) was responding to the oiler in an attempt to render aid. It was two opportunities for the ship to simply head AWAY from known enemy activity, but Nix and his men did not shirk in their duty!

One last note. Fellow DD USS Whipple also responded to the Pecos ditress call, arriving sometime after 1900 hrs, and was able to rescue some survivors. Some historians like to theorize that the last stand of Edsall irked Nagumo enough to depart the area, leaving the way open for Whipple to get through to the survivors. Maybe that's fanciful thinking, but it's a theory that I like to hold to my heart.

[jima]

The unidentified object mentioned from the sonar appears to be a motor whaleboat. Also, on the gun mount amidships, pointing forward, the sight yoke is clearly visible! Pretty amazing! Great video!

[kennethhanks]

This could be a case where such as one of the detached torpedo tube mounts should be recovered for an appropriate landslide memorial.

[CharlesJohnson-eq]

Edsells story reminds me a lot of the story of the USS Johnson. Both vessels had defiant captains who challenged the might of the Japanese navy. Both went down fighting to the end. The big difference was the lack of respect shown to the American crewmen ad their ships sank. Where Edsells crew was machine gunned in the water, Johnsons crew was saluted.

[waynedavis]

I really appreciate how you can present so much information in such a short video. Keep up the great work. I want to thank you for your videos.

[Backwardlooking]

Despicable treatment of the survivors. Bravo men should be honoured.

[BrockRuby]

Finally found!! Great job on this one! Just like all of your other vids!!! This is truly one of the best subjects to be found.

[michaelmclaren]

The mosaic is fascinating; it took a bit to read this as an overhead view as the port side is so obscured it looked like she was lying on her side and almost buried. She’s absolutely been burned and swept clean.

[PDXMIA-qh]

I just discovered your channel and I'm so impressed. You cover ships I've never heard of. Absolutely fascinating. New sub🌹

[Trident]

Great job on this.Thank you for producing the video.

[seaboardsystemproductions]

Great video I watch these all the time when you release them Have a great day!😊

[paulrhodes]

Impressive story, impressive ship, impressive crew. The crew deserved far better, even 80 years later the injustice still smarts.