A World War II-era U.S. Navy tanker that sank nearly 60 years ago after running aground on Maro Reef has been discovered by NOAA researchers in waters that are now part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
On Oct. 1, 1957, USNS Mission San Miguel departed Apra Harbor, Guam, bound for Seattle and ran aground on Maro Reef on Oct. 8 while running at full speed and carrying only ballast. The Navy safely evacuated the 42-member crew.
On Aug. 3, a team of NOAA scientists and research partners aboard NOAA Ship Hiialakai discovered Mission San Miguel during a multidisciplinary expedition to the monument. At 523 feet in length, Mission San Miguel is the largest ship reported lost in the monument. It was located at a depth of 80 feet.
“To identify the remains of this tanker in the maze-like structure of Maro Reef is thrilling,” said Jason Raupp, Ph.D., PMNM maritime heritage field leader. “The maritime heritage team carefully researched the available data and worked closely with Hiialakai crewmembers and NOAA Corps officers to determine a search area that ultimately led to the location of the site.”
Built by Marinship Corporation in Sausalito, Calif., Mission San Miguel was used to deliver petroleum products worldwide. Like Liberty and Victory cargo ships, tankers were crucial to the war effort. Despite the significant role tankers played in the war, few examples of these vessels remain in existence today.
“This discovery gives us a rare, exciting glimpse at this period in maritime transport history and reminds us of the important role these unheralded working vessels played during World War II and in the decades following,” said Kelly Keogh, Ph.D., PMNM maritime heritage program coordinator.
Mission San Miguel was awarded a number of commendations for its military service including a National Defense Service Medal, a Korea Service Medal, a Republic of South Korea Service Medal (retroactive), and a United Nations Service Medal.
The team also discovered a WWII-era aircraft in the lagoon at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, which they are currently working to identify.
This year’s RAMP cruise included six undergraduate students trained through ongoing collaborative field programs with the University of Hawaii; one of the students was a member of the maritime heritage team. Ongoing since 2000, RAMP utilizes such highly-qualified students as part of PMNM’s efforts to mentor the next generation of resource managers and scientists.