Researchers Stunned After Finding Mysterious Car Inside WWII Aircraft Carrier Wreck

A recent underwater expedition conducted by NOAA led to a surprising find: an entire vintage car parked inside the wreck of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.

The vehicle was found on April 19, 2025, inside the hangar deck of the ship, which sank during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.

The wreck lies more than three miles below the surface, about 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu, in the waters of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

The discovery was made during NOAA Ocean Exploration’s ongoing 28-day mission aboard the research vessel Okeanos Explorer, focused on exploring deep-sea areas and historical wrecks using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

As the ROV crew carefully navigated into Yorktown’s hangar via the number three aircraft elevator shaft, they came across a vehicle resting upright.

It had flared fenders, shiny chrome details, a shredded soft top, and a spare tire on the back, features that clearly set it apart from a standard military jeep.

According to NOAA, the car is suspected to be a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe “Woody,” a civilian model with a wooden body design and chrome trim.

A partially visible license plate on the front reads “SHIP SERVICE” on top, though the lower part is heavily corroded.

Researchers onboard were heard reacting in disbelief during the livestream. One team member reportedly said, “It’s a car. That’s a car,” as the camera caught the vehicle in full view.

Another exclaimed, “Now, that’s just amazing.”

There is speculation that the car might have belonged to Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, who used the USS Yorktown as his flagship.

The stylish chrome elements and overall design hint that it might have served as his personal staff car.

However, its exact purpose remains uncertain.

Officials say it could also have been loaded for repairs following the Battle of the Coral Sea, or possibly intended for offloading at Midway after a successful engagement with Japanese forces.

The presence of such a large non-combat item in a space as valuable as a carrier hangar deck raises further questions.

While jeeps were commonly carried by U.S. Navy carriers during the war to transport aircraft or serve ground troops, this particular car stands out.

Its polished design and luxury finish do not match typical military-issued vehicles, making it unique.

NOAA is now calling on automobile experts and the public to help identify the vehicle more precisely.

They believe it is a rare find, especially if it turns out to be a Ford Super Deluxe Woody—vehicles that were more commonly found on land estates than on warships.

The USS Yorktown, also called “The Fighting Lady,” was commissioned in 1937 and played a vital role in the early Pacific campaigns.

She was involved in several key battles, including Coral Sea and Midway, where her bombers helped sink the Japanese carrier Soryu.

After being heavily damaged by bombs and torpedoes during the Battle of Midway, Yorktown was temporarily abandoned.

A salvage crew later returned to try and save her, but she was struck again by a Japanese submarine on June 6, 1942. She finally sank the next morning.

The wreck was first located in 1998 by explorer Robert Ballard in a joint operation with the U.S. Navy and National Geographic Society.

Though the site has been studied before, this is the first time cameras have entered the inside of the ship to this extent.

NOAA says the find is exciting and opens new questions about life aboard the historic carrier.

They are especially curious why such a car wasn’t jettisoned during salvage efforts, considering that aircraft and weapons were thrown overboard in attempts to stabilise the vessel.

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, where the Yorktown lies, is one of the largest protected conservation areas in the U.S., spanning over 580,000 square miles.

References: cbsnews, miamiherald

Source: Maritime Shipping News