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Navy Divers Survey WWII Aircraft
Navy News | October 20, 2006
Jaluit Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands - Divers and other crew members from USS Safeguard (ARS 50) assisted the Naval Historical Center (NHC) and The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) in a scientific survey of two submerged World War II aircraft in waters here Oct. 12.

The submerged aircraft — lost since the early days of World War II — are two U.S. Douglas Torpedo Bomber Devastators (TBDs), which played a primary role in the war’s outset. Over the four days of diving, the survey team collected data and sampled material from the TBDs for scientific analysis to evaluate their suitability for possible recovery and preservation at a later date.

Divers from Safeguard, supported by representatives from Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (CLWP) and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, assisted the Naval Historical Center through a separate but complementary engineering and salvage analysis. Additionally, Safeguard’s presence provided an additional margin of safety for both the Navy and civilian divers, since the ship carries a recompression chamber and trained diving medical technicians in the event of any diving-related injuries.

“This was a unique opportunity for Safeguard to be involved in the conservation and preservation of an important part of naval history,” said Lt. Cmdr. Doyle Hodges, Safeguard’s commanding officer. “Just the process of getting to the wreck site in the Marshalls gives you a good appreciation for the bravery of the Sailors who took these aircraft with rudimentary navigation systems across thousands of miles of open ocean. Additionally, the diving conditions in the lagoon were terrific.”

The Naval Historical Center and the National Museum of Naval Aviation have been interested for some time in assessing the condition of these two aircraft, according to officials of those organizations.

These planes were lost in the first U.S. offensive strikes of World War II, going directly after the Japanese headquarters on the Marshall Islands immediately following the bombings of Pear Harbor. They were launched from USS Yorktown (CV 5) during that initial strike, but because of the weather conditions, the pilots of the bombers could not make a path for return on the sortie, ran out of fuel, and made emergency landings in the large central lagoon near the Jaluit Atoll.

Although mostly obsolete in effectiveness during the majority of the war, TBDs served with distinction at the Battle of Midway. At Midway, the “Devastators” suffered horrendous losses, but by diverting the Japanese fighter cover, they enabled the American dive bombers to do their deadly work and contributed significantly to that critical victory, one that would turn the tide of the Pacific War.

The two TBD Devastators that sank in Jaluit have remained in the same spot since they were lost in the war; one resting on a coral ledge at only 50 feet and the other on the bottom at 130 feet. The shallower airplane was found and identified in 1997. The deeper Devastator was located in 2002.

In 2004, TIGHAR, which is a civilian nonprofit historical foundation, conducted a survey of the aircraft to explore the possibility that one could be recovered and preserved for exhibition at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.

Dr. Robert Neyland, NHC underwater archaeologist, accompanied the TIGHAR expedition as the U.S. Navy observer. Neyland recommended that Navy salvage experts also provide support in order to plan for the logistics of recovery and transport of one of the aircraft at some future date; Safeguard would end up providing that support linkage.

During the recent survey operation, the TIGHAR team, at their own expense, mapped the extent of corrosion to both wrecks and conducted analysis of water chemistry, aluminum thickness measurements and site mapping.

The combined TIGHAR and Navy research will now provide the data for preservation and potential recovery and determine if it is feasible and desirable to lift and restore one of the TBD aircraft, according to officials of the organizations.

"Safeguard divers were proud to be a part of a survey effort that shows promise of leading to a successful recovery of a TBD Devastator,” said Senior Chief Navy Diver (SW/MDV) Jeffrey Sampson, Safeguard’s master diver. “The data recovered while working with TIGHAR and the Naval Historical Society will be an integral part in future salvage and preservation operations."

Safeguard is a forward deployed rescue and salvage ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan, and is part of Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward deployed amphibious force.

Copyright 2006 Navy News. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.
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Fly Fast Make Noise!

Thanks Rob for the info,

If the Navy has made a survey on the TBD's does that mean it is more then likely to be recovered? And why recover only one?

I hope that at least one of them is recovered.The Museum needs a TBD on display! But I'd really like to see both recovered and saved, if they can be at this stage?

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

I'm sorry, but all these groups are play-acting at underwater vintage aircraft recovery.

Dr. Neyland's feelings are already on record concerning his romantic notion about historians of the future being able to dive on the remains of aircraft wrecks 50, 100, and more years from now. Dr. Neyland has already decided what is being recovered:

Dr. Robert Neyland, NHC underwater archaeologist, accompanied the TIGHAR expedition as the U.S. Navy observer. Neyland recommended that Navy salvage experts also provide support in order to plan for the logistics of recovery and transport of one of the aircraft at some future date; Safeguard would end up providing that support linkage.

Nothing against the intentions of the crew of USS Safeguard, but they are not trained to handle the recovery of 60+-year-old wrecks. The last time the Navy attempted a similar project--insinuating that they alone had the expertise to do so--a Navy diver died, the remains were damaged, and the majority of the aircraft was left at the bottom of Lake Washington. The NHC is on record stating that they felt the debacle at Lake Washington was valuable as a training exercise(!).

Do I need to go into TIGHAR's history of aircraft recovery (I don't think it would take long to cover)?

One of the basic premises of history is that one learns not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Although I hope I'm wrong (I really do), we have everything in place for a repeat of the Lake Washington PBM disaster.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

I thought Neyland was gone.

While they have the equipment there it would be nice if they brought both of them up. Start with the worse one first, which they would break into pieces trying to figure out why it's so heavy. By the time they got to the second, nicer one, they might be able to retrieve it with much less damage. All the people that worked on earlier retrievals like the PBM, and the F3F off of San Diego have probably long since retired.

''Ironic'' just doesn't quite say it IMO. Unless the Navy Historical Center has recently had a change of management, I can't imagine the basis for their new perspective on TBD preservation. They had an excellent Devestastor in the bag many years ago and their shady, underhanded practices flat out blew the deal. I'm pretty sure the spare F4F Wildcat they would have had to part with in trade is still sitting among a half-dozen others...languishing unused and stagnant in salty outdoor storage.

I know the government is, by it's very nature, untrusting of the civilian sector, but the NHC's attitude in recent years has taken that concept to a whole new level. Leading on, then shaking down would-be recoverers for the wole purpose of flexing legal muscle is beyond the pale IMO, and very unbecoming of an otherwise laudable institution.

I wouldn't trust the current incarnation of the NHC to stand behind a single statement released to the media, or to any other public or private source. They've made it pompously clear that their reputation is completely sacrificial when it comes to serving their own agenda. Someone needs to tell the directors of the NHC that "deceive, misdirect, and conquer" techniques they were tought in Battlefield Strategy class are a dishonorable technique when used against the US citizenry. Save the combat mentality for our enemies please.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

I' just trying to be optimistic, even if my gut tells me it’s not realistic. I hope I get so see one restored and on display some where before I die.

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

That's what I'm thinking too.

Hi I smell disaster why not have Howdy Dowdy and Buffalo Bob do the recovery? Why not hire experts with a great track record that have more than proven themselves?I really likeTighars role in the recovery effort, so far all they have produced is an old shoe, a very corroded skin panel off who knows what, and a truck load of good old fashion Bull poo poo!!!Now this was the best part[During the recent survey operation, the TIGHAR team, at their own expense, mapped the extent of corrosion to both wrecks and conducted analysis of water chemistry, aluminum thickness measurements and site mapping . I almost fell off my chair with laughter!!I think Claira Bell Clown has more experience than these jokers.We can only hope that someone will use a little more thought and consideration to the value and delicate condition of this rare and historic artifact.Im all for the recovery and restoration of this a/c but we dont need some pencil pushing neck tie out to make a name for himself destroy it much like the PBM story.The policy of preservation that has been adopted by the NHC is nothing short of criminal.Their action are not based on the presevation of Naval history but more on the self serving ,horn tooting,crap that has so many Naval a/c at risk of being lost forever!! Lets hope we dont have a repeat performance of the Lake Washington disaster

Thanks Mike

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IF YOU CAN FIND IT WE CAN FIX IT

who has metallurgical credentials between tighar & the naval historical group to assess condition of the birds in salt water for over 60 years????? the tbd was notoriously light skinned, & i doubt it has the strength & integrity to survive when it hits the surface. i'd like to see these credentials, & have the holders identify themselves, or be identified. tighar, while their mission goal is noble, holds no credible charter or physical finds of any historical significance WITH LEGITIMATE PROVINENCE FROM REPECTABLE SOURCES. as to the naval aviation historical group, if they had 1/2 a brain they would go for them both sans tighar, as there are no survivors of the type, & they are in close proximity of each other, thus saving alot of wasted steaming around with side scan radar for another opportunity. 1 for the smithsonian, & 1 for the naval aviation museum. tighar seems to latch onto any legitimate govt. organization it can attach itself to..... like those little parasite fish you see cruising under sharks looking for scraps. tighar is self serving, & the elmer gantry hucksters of the warbird / historical aircraft community.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

I can only wish that they will in fact succeed in safely recovering both TBD's. Over the last few years the NHC has spent MILLIONS of taxpayers dollars to recover aircraft, from the private sector, who did have the means and ability to do the job well. At this the NHC has failed miserably! The NHC has made many paper policies nothing more than preservation disasters. Very simply they must do something constructive to justify their existence to the American public and Congress. Their ineptitude is already obvious to the global aviation community. I have been asked if my case had set legal presidence..... it set political presidence. The NHC must produce some form of actual preservation.

I would like nothing more than to congratulate them on changing course, and preserving our aviation artifacts for future generations. But I doubt they are humble enough to consider public opinion.

Pirate Lex

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An ego is no match for gravity.

You are entirely too kind, Captain.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.