Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping

Conditions permitting, on April 19 and 20, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners are planning to conduct remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives on the remains of USS Yorktown (CV-5), a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that took part in several World War II operations before being sunk by a Japanese submarine following the Battle of Midway. These dives are one of several being conducted as part of the Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition to help to establish a baseline assessment of the ocean environment and its resources and further inform future exploration efforts.

The final resting place of Yorktown was discovered 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu during a U.S. Navy and National Geographic expedition in 1998. The site was later documented by Ocean Exploration Trust and partners in 2023 during an expedition on Exploration Vessel Nautilus. The dive being conducted now as part of the Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition will allow the collection of additional, higher-resolution archaeological and biological data of the wreck site, allowing further detailed exploration and increasing our understanding of this historically significant shipwreck. Participating partners include NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the Naval History and Heritage Command, SEARCH, Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, Ocean Exploration Trust, and others.

To watch the dives live, visit: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/livestreams/welcome.html

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Historical Context: USS Yorktown (CV-5)

USS Yorktown (CV-5) was an American Yorktown-Class aircraft carrier that was commissioned at Naval Operating Base Norfolk, Virginia, in 1937. Measuring 246.7 meters (809 feet) in length, Yorktown could carry approximately 2,200 personnel and 90 aircraft. Yorktown took part in several operations during World War II, including the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway.

On June 6, 1942, on the final days of the Battle of Midway, Japanese carrier bombers successfully struck Yorktown with three bombs. Despite being hit, Yorktown was able to recover and continue to launch aircraft. A short time later, several Japanese torpedo bombers delivered two torpedo hits along the ship’s port side, and the resultant loss of steam pressure left Yorktown dead in the water, jammed rudder and no power for the pumps to control the flooding. Abandoned by all but a volunteer salvage crew and listing to the port side, Yorktown was put under tow for transit back to Pearl Harbor. While en route, Japanese submarine I-168 struck Yorktown twice on the starboard side at the turn of the bilge, causing the carrier to capsize and sink on the morning of June 7, 1942.

Yorktown's service to the nation was brief but significant. The ship received three battle stars for its World War II service, recognizing the pivotal role it played in turning the tide of the Pacific war.

“The Battle of Midway was a decisive U.S. victory, but even victory can have a steep price, and Yorktown and her Air Group paid it,” said Naval History and Heritage Command Director Sam J. Cox, U.S. Navy rear admiral (retired). “The Navy thanks NOAA and partners for the opportunity for our nation to reflect on the extraordinary valor and sacrifice of those who held the line and turned the tide during the darkest days of World War II, buying time with their lives for the U.S. to fully mobilize for ultimate victory, enabling the freedom we have today.”

While a thorough archaeological survey was completed in September 2023 as part of the Ala ʻAumoana Kai Uli expedition on E/V Nautilus, follow-up investigation of the site will help to answer remaining questions about the history of the ship and condition of the wreck site, which is stewarded and protected by the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Dive Objectives

Objectives for the dives on April 19 and 20 were developed using NOAA Ocean Exploration’s community-driven research approach, collecting input from a range of partners. Objectives include:

• Collecting photogrammetric data to fill data gaps and enhance photogrammetric models developed by NOAA Ocean Exploration using data collected in 2023;
• Investigating damage to the upper port side of Yorktown's island to potentially gain insights into what caused the ship’s loss of propulsion during the famous World War II battle;
• Investigating a 2023 sighting of possible aircraft debris on Yorktow’'s hangar deck and whether traces of a large painted mural has survived in the midships elevator;
• Making observations about marine life and biodiversity at the wreck site to better understand environmental changes in the deep ocean; and
• Collecting multibeam sonar imagery of Yorktown to learn the limitations of using hull-mounted sonars to see shipwrecks at great depths.

Dr. James Delgado (SEARCH), a lead scientist for the 2023 mission, notes that “dives like these not only add to the historical record, they also provide details and often a new understanding based on the physical evidence of the past. In a battle as intense as Midway, the fury and frenzy of the fight and the scale of death and destruction meant that not every aspect or detail of what happened is in the history books. These dives, once unimaginable, into the deepest parts of the ocean add to that record, as well as connecting postwar generations to those who fought this pivotal battle in a global war. The powerful images that we collect also connect us all to that special place and to those people who survived and those who did not.”

Many American and Japanese lives were lost during the Battle of Midway, and USS Yorktown is a war grave marking the final resting place of many sailors. During the dive, we will not disturb the site or its environment out of respect for those who paid the ultimate price.

During the dives on April 19 and 20, we will be joined on the live video feed by marine archaeologists located on shore, who will share their insights and expertise with viewers. Tune in to follow along on these historic dives.

For More Information

• NOAA Ocean Exploration Photogrammetry Collection
• Exploring Iconic Shipwrecks from Battle of Midway to Provide Never-Before-Seen Details
• Battle of Midway Oral Histories

Updated April 20, 2025
Published April 19, 2025