Wreckage of US’ Biggest WWI Naval Loss Found
The wreckage of the USCGC Tampa. (US Coast Guard/Gasperados Dive Team)
A US Coast Guard cutter lost in one of the deadliest naval disasters involving American forces during World War I has been discovered more than a century later. A British dive team located the wreck of the USCGC Tampa about 50 miles off the coast of Cornwall, resting in more than 300 feet of water. The US Coast Guard confirmed the finding on Wednesday.
The Tampa was sunk on September 26, 1918, after being struck by a single torpedo fired by the German submarine UB-91 in the Bristol Channel. The vessel was en route to Wales to refuel when it was attacked. It sank in less than three minutes, and all 131 people on board were killed, including US Coast Guardsmen, Navy personnel, British sailors, and civilians.
The loss left a lasting impact on the service. Adm. Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard, said the tragedy created enduring grief and that the discovery helps honor those who served. He noted that finding the wreck strengthens the connection to their sacrifice and highlights a lasting commitment to duty.
The Gasperados Dive Team spent three years searching for the ship, using historical records and Coast Guard archival materials to narrow down its location. Team leader Steve Mortimer described the Tampa as highly significant to both the United States and the families of those who died, adding that identifying the wreck finally reveals their resting place.
The Coast Guard plans to carry out additional exploration of the site using robotic technology. Before its final mission, the Tampa had escorted 18 wartime convoys and received special recognition for its service.
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