In April 2025, NOAA explorers made a remarkable discovery while investigating the wreck of the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier that sank during the Battle of Midway in 1942. Using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), researchers uncovered something completely unexpected inside the ship’s hangar deck – what appears to be a vintage civilian automobile. This presentation walks through the history of the USS Yorktown, its significance in World War II, and the mysterious car that has remained hidden beneath the Pacific Ocean for over 80 years.
The Legendary USS Yorktown
The USS Yorktown (CV-5) was a formidable aircraft carrier commissioned in 1937 at Naval Operating Base Norfolk, Virginia. This impressive vessel stretched 809 feet in length and could carry approximately 2,200 personnel along with up to 90 aircraft. The Yorktown played a crucial role in multiple World War II operations and earned three battle stars for its service.
Most notably, the carrier was instrumental in the Battle of Midway, where its bombers delivered the decisive blow that sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu. Despite initially withstanding severe damage from enemy attacks, the USS Yorktown ultimately succumbed to torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-168 on June 7, 1942, sinking to the ocean floor approximately 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu.
The Battle of Midway in June 1942 marked a pivotal moment in World War II, occurring just six months after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. During this decisive naval engagement, the USS Yorktown sustained heavy damage but continued fighting. While navigating the Pacific waters, Japanese submarine I-168 struck the vessel twice on the starboard side, causing it to capsize and sink on the morning of June 7.
The shipwreck remained lost for decades until 1998, when renowned American Navy officer and explorer Robert Ballard finally located it on the ocean floor. Since then, the wreck has been documented several times, most recently in 2023 by the Ocean Exploration Trust and again in April 2025 during NOAA’s current expedition.
The Unexpected Discovery
During NOAA’s April 2025 expedition aboard the research vessel Okeanos Explorer, ROV operators made a stunning discovery while navigating through the wreck’s interior. After entering the number three elevator shaft and looking forward, they spotted what appeared to be a vintage automobile with distinctive features: a square back, curved fenders, and remnants of a shredded soft top. Most notably, flashes of chrome on the bumper and fender caught their attention – details considered unusual for standard military equipment.
Based on these observations, NOAA researchers believe the vehicle might be a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe “Woody,” a wood-bodied civilian vehicle that seems strangely out of place aboard a warship. This unexpected find has sparked considerable interest and speculation among historians and automotive enthusiasts.
How did a civilian vehicle end up inside a military aircraft carrier that sank during one of World War II’s most significant naval battles? NOAA researchers have proposed several intriguing theories:
One hypothesis suggests the car might have been the personal or flag vehicle of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, who commanded the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway. Such vehicles were sometimes transported aboard larger naval vessels for use when commanders went ashore.
Alternatively, the car may have been brought aboard for quick repairs after sustaining damage during the Battle of the Coral Sea, which had occurred just a month before Midway. Ships with mechanical facilities sometimes assisted with unexpected repair needs during wartime operations.
Preserving Maritime History
NOAA is now seeking help from the public, particularly automotive experts and enthusiasts, to confirm the vehicle’s identity. During the livestreamed exploration, one ROV operator made a direct appeal: “Here’s an open request to all your automobile vehicle folks out there. I’m sure you are being attentive to this and you understand what you are looking at. Please post on this. It helps.”
If verified, this discovery could provide a deeply personal connection to one of America’s most famous naval losses, linking the strategic decisions of a fleet commander to a sunken car that has remained hidden from daylight for over eight decades.
The current expedition, named “Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping,” continues throughout April and May 2025. NOAA teams are conducting further dives in the monument’s deep waters, with each exploration offering new insights into both the natural ecosystems and historical artifacts preserved beneath the Pacific Ocean.
The USS Yorktown wreck site represents just one of many fascinating locations being studied during this comprehensive scientific mission. As exploration technologies continue to advance, researchers anticipate making additional discoveries that may further enhance our understanding of naval history and the legacy of World War II in the Pacific.
Discoveries like the mystery car inside the USS Yorktown highlight the importance of continued marine exploration and historical preservation efforts. Many Mysterious Shipwrecks have hidden valuable treasures, and exploring these wrecks not only uncovers rare artifacts but also brings us closer to understanding significant historical events.
As NOAA’s expedition continues, the story of the USS Yorktown and its unexpected automotive passenger serves as a reminder that history often reveals itself in surprising and meaningful ways. Through careful documentation and collaborative research, we can ensure these underwater time capsules continue to share their stories with future generations.
