The last remaining piece of the USS New Orleans, a US Navy warship damaged during World War II, has been found near the Solomon Islands, marking a significant historical find in the South Pacific.
A research team aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus discovered the severed bow of the USS New Orleans, which was torn off by a Japanese torpedo during the 1942 Battle of Tassafaronga.
Despite the blow, the crew managed to keep the cruiser afloat and navigated the heavily damaged vessel to Australia for repairs. The missing bow had remained lost for more than 80 years—until now.
Global effort led to the breakthrough
The discovery was the result of an international effort, with support from institutions around the world, including the University of Kyoto.
The E/V Nautilus has located the bow of USS New Orleans in the Solomon Islands’ Iron Bottom Sound. The bow was blown off by a Japanese 'Long Lance' torpedo during the Battle of Tassafaronga in 1942. The crew of the New Orleans made quick repairs with coconut logs and then sailed… pic.twitter.com/IuGvr2sISs
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) July 8, 2025
Scientists combined sea floor mapping with archival research, using detailed notes from the US Navy and personal accounts from survivors to guide the mission.
A childhood passion turns into a career
Frank Thompson, a member of the science team, described the experience as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. “I’ve been in this line for 33 years,” he said.
“I got my start as an 11-year-old kid on a trip to Hawaii, bought a book in the Arizona Memorial gift shop about navy ships, and I’ve just continued reading about them ever since.”
First-hand accounts helped guide the search
Thompson said the personal stories from New Orleans crew members were beneficial. They offered insight into what kind of damage to expect and which parts of the wreck might still be intact. These details helped the team narrow down the search area.
Seafloor imaging confirmed the ship’s identity
Using remote-operated vehicles and sea floor imaging tools, the researchers spotted a large structure at depth. Careful analysis confirmed it as the long-lost bow of the New Orleans. Distinctive features matched records of the ship’s design.
🚨 New wreck alert! We're proud to share the first photos of the newly discovered bow blown off the #WorldWarII heavy cruiser #USSNewOrleans. pic.twitter.com/oeXtm9NwO5
— E/V Nautilus (@EVNautilus) July 8, 2025
“When you see the actual ship that was lost, and then you know you can recognize what it is, you see these key features, and you’re like, wow,” Thompson said. “It is an amazing feeling.”
Discovery shared through live broadcasts
The discovery of USS New Orleans was made public in real time. Every Nautilus expedition streams live video 24 hours a day, allowing viewers around the world to witness moments like this.
Thompson said he’s excited about what the future holds. “I don’t think there’s really any kind of end to what this technology can be adapted to, and it’s a thrill to be part of the developing stages of this,” he said.
“I think the next generation of explorers will have better tools, and there’s no end to what they can and can’t do.” In this case, those tools helped researchers reach thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface to recover a piece of history thought lost forever.
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