Divers uncover vintage Ford car in WWII shipwreck
- Divers exploring the wreck of USS Yorktown discovered a vintage Ford Super Deluxe Woody during an expedition.
- The ship was sunk in 1942 and has been a significant site for historical research since its discovery in 1988.
- The findings provide insight into the daily lives of Navy personnel during World War II and highlight the importance of preserving military history.
In 1988, the wreck of the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier, was discovered in the Pacific Ocean after being sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Midway in 1942. Recent underwater excavations conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed unexpected artifacts, including a vintage automobile. During the dive on April 19, 2025, researchers spotted the outline of the vehicle while exploring the aft hangar deck of the Yorktown. Analysis indicated that the automobile was a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe Woody, used possibly by high-ranking Navy officials during the vessel's service in foreign ports. The car was in poor condition due to decades underwater but still exhibited distinctive features such as a split windshield and chrome detailing.