Divers find wreck of US’ largest naval loss of World War I
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- The US Coast Guard Cutter Tampa, sunk by a German torpedo in 1918 with all 131 crew lost, has been located after more than 107 years off the coast of Cornwall, England, at a depth of 300 feet.
- The wreck was discovered by the British Gasperados Dive Team after three years of research and multiple dives, with confirmation aided by the US Coast Guard providing archival records and images.
- The Tampa was torpedoed on September 26, 1918, after leaving its convoy to refuel, resulting in the largest naval loss for US forces in World War I, including 111 Coast Guardsmen, four US Navy sailors, and 16 Britons.
- Among the lost crew were the first minority Coast Guardsmen killed in combat, including eleven Black servicemen, highlighting the diverse makeup of the crew and the lasting impact of the tragedy on the Coast Guard.
- The Coast Guard plans to further explore the Tampa wreck using autonomous systems and robotics to honor the sacrifice of those lost and deepen understanding of the historic site.
