The following collection of images were collected in September, 1999 by an electronic still camera (ESC) operating on the TOSS (Towed Optical Search System) during a joint expedition by the Naval Oceanographic Office and Nauticos to the site of the 1942 Battle of Midway. These images are of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. A major artifact is a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. The piece is about 40 feet long and 30 feet high, lying inverted on the seafloor. The cameras view the object from above, looking down into the underside of the inverted gun tubs. The edges of the artifact are strewn with anemones. This piece included a landing light array that was unique to Kaga. Other pieces of debris large and small litter the bottom including: interior hull plating, probably from the hangar decks; storage boxes, probably from one of the upper antiaircraft galleries. Ammunition is scattered about. A bucket lies near an antenna or radar screen. Individual images are further described.
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. Twisted and torn cables, a box of equipment, a bucket, and a deformed part of the ship’s structure are seen here. Nauticos.
View
This graphic shows the location of a major section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Courtesy Jon Parshall.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. A mosaic of images of a major section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Nauticos.
View
This graphic by Jeff Morris shows a major section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Courtesy Nauticos and Jeff Morris.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. A deep sea worm left a trail as it gathered sustenance from the muddy bottom, evidence of life at extreme depths. In contrast, the Japanese sailor’s boot, preserved for nearly seventy years, was evidence of the loss of life in battle. The seafloor was thickly sprinkled with nodules of pure manganese. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. A deep sea worm left a trail as it gathered sustenance from the muddy bottom, evidence of life at extreme depths. In contrast, the Japanese sailor’s boot, preserved for nearly seventy years, was evidence of the loss of life in battle. The seafloor was thickly sprinkled with nodules of pure manganese.
Approximate scale indicated. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the interior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. A ladder that probably led between decks can be seen. A small fish is revealed in the upper left. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Two curved gallery sponsons can be seen lying inverted on the bottom with their support structures clearly visible. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Two curved gallery sponsons can be seen lying inverted on the bottom, and a landing light array can be seen protruding from the lower sponson. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact shows a a landing light array can be seen protruding from the side of the hull. This feature was unique to Kaga and helped identify the wreckage. Deep sea creatures can be seen on the ocean floor. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. A large box-like structure with compartments lies twisted on the bottom among deep sea worm trails. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. Scattered debris on the bottom. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the interior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. A ladder that probably led between decks can be seen. Sea anemones thrive on the wreckage. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. Sea anemones are seen in profusion. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the interior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. A ladder that probably led between decks can be seen. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. A curved gallery sponson can be seen lying inverted on the bottom with its support structures clearly visible. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. A curved gallery sponson can be seen lying inverted on the bottom with its support structures clearly visible. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Two curved gallery sponsons can be seen lying inverted on the bottom. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Two curved gallery sponsons can be seen lying inverted on the bottom. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Two curved gallery sponsons can be seen lying inverted on the bottom. Nauticos.
View
Row of Portholes
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. A row of portholes can be seen along the near edge of the inverted artifact, lined with anemones. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. A deformed part of the ship’s structure and other debris are seen here. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. A curved gallery sponson can be seen lying inverted on the bottom with its support structures clearly visible. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Two curved gallery sponsons can be seen lying inverted on the bottom. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. This artifact is the exterior of a section of hull from the starboard side of the ship that held a pair of 25mm antiaircraft gun galleries. Two curved gallery sponsons can be seen lying inverted on the bottom.
Image 458 with approximate scale indicated. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. In this scene, a small object, possibly a ship’s bell from a launch or other small boat, rested quietly among rocks and scattered debris. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. Pieces of wreckage, large and small, were scattered in profusion around the area. Nauticos.
View
Still imagery of wreckage of Japanese aircraft carrier IJN Kaga on the seafloor at 17,000 feet. Twisted and torn cables, a box of equipment, a bucket, and a deformed part of the ship’s structure are seen here. Nauticos.
View
