USS Saratoga CV-3 sits at the bottom of Bikini Atoll since its sinking caused by damage from the Baker underwater nuclear bomb test on July 25, 1946 conducted during Operation Crossroads, a nuclear bomb test series performed by the United States.
Saratoga was launched in 1928. It was refit with its signature square flight deck, anti-aircraft guns, and radar in 1941 and immediately entered into war service. During WWII, the Saratoga participated in many of the major Pacific battles - too many to list here.
The sandy bottom around this historic ship is more than 180ft below the surface. Saratoga is nearly perfectly upright. On the deck, bow guns and blast measurement devices are easily visible. The bridge island is fairly open. Part of the massive flight deck has fallen in, leaving some ordinance and a plane within easy access. There are other planes around the ship in the sand. The central aircraft elevator has fallen in, providing penetration access to several decks. Within the body of the wreck are reminders of navy life in the 1940s - long corridors lined with ship infrastructure, dive equipment, a barber shop, kitchen stuff, tables, couches, and, of course, the Combat Information Center (CIC) with radar and communication equipment.
[ Ссылка ]_(CV-3)
Music: "Before the Dawn" by Eugenio Mininni
Video References: National Archives Catalog
catalog.archives.gov
428-NPC-18524
OP. CROSSROADS BAKER DAY BOMB EXPLOSION - BIKINI ATOLL
This item was produced or created on July 25, 1946.
342-USAF-34282a
Project Crossroads: Bikini Island
This item documents the time period of July 1, 1946–July 25, 1946.
428-NPC-18141
TARGET SHIPS & STREAMING TESTS BIKINI
This item documents the time period of June 4, 1946–June 7, 1946.
428-NPC-18192
BLANDY INSPECTS TARGET SHIPS: DIVING OPERATIONS BIKINI LAGOON
This item documents the time period of June 12, 1946–June 16, 1946.
(Blast instruments and divers)
428-NPC-15448
USS SARATOGA (CV-3) AS TROOP SHIP
MCU AV USS SARATOGA (SV).AV CU Flight deck of USS SARATOGA covered with troops
428-NPC-16214
FLIGHT DECK ACTIVITIES ABOARD USS SARATOGA (CV-3)
This item was produced or created in 1941.
Image References: US Naval History and Heritage Command
www.history.navy.mil
19-N-84315
USS SARATOGA (CV-3)
In Puget Sound, 15 May 1945.
19-N-72626
USS Saratoga (CV-3)
In Puget Sound, Washington, following overhaul, 7 September 1944
19-N-29682
USS SARATOGA (CV-3)
Close-up view of the forward end of the bridge, looking aft. Taken at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington, 14 May 1942
80-G-284381
Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944.
Loading drop tanks on SB2Cs aboard USS LEXINGTON (CV-16) before a search mission, on 25 October 1944.
NH 42344
USS Yorktown (CV-5)
View in the ship's barber shop, 4 August
1937, prior to delivery to the Navy. U.S.
