After 77 years beneath the South Pacific, the USS Hornet (CV-8) wreck has been meticulously documented, revealing its complete WWII weapons inventory, offering unprecedented insight into the ship’s final battle, the crew’s heroic efforts, and the devastating loss, leaving historians and veterans alike awestruck and deeply moved.

Seventy-seven years after the valiant USS Hornet (CV-8) sank during the pivotal Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, marine archaeologists and deep-sea explorers have meticulously documented the carrier’s weapons inventory, uncovering an astonishing glimpse into the firepower that once defined one of the most storied ships of World War II.

The Hornet, an Essex-class aircraft carrier launched in 1940, played a critical role in the Pacific Theater before being struck by Japanese torpedoes and bombs on October 26, 1942, leading to its final, heroic battle.

The recent expedition, led by renowned maritime archaeologist Dr.

Eleanor Graves and a team of veteran deep-sea divers, utilized advanced remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to map and examine the wreck at a depth exceeding 7,000 meters in the South Pacific.

“When we approached the Hornet, the magnitude of history was overwhelming,” Dr.Graves recalled.

“Every deck, turret, and hold was a silent testament to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served aboard.”

The team cataloged the ship’s anti-aircraft batteries, including 40mm Bofors and 20mm Oerlikon guns, many of which remain remarkably intact despite decades of ocean pressure and corrosion.

Detailed sonar imaging and high-resolution video footage revealed these weapons in situ, with shell casings, ammunition belts, and even some aircraft ordnance still resting in the hangar bays, offering an unprecedented look at the carrier’s readiness for battle in 1942.

“This is more than just a weapons inventory,” said Captain Robert Lansing, a retired naval officer who served as a historical consultant on the project.

“It is a snapshot of naval strategy and the intensity of mid-20th century warfare.

Seeing these guns and aircraft ordnance in their final positions brings the past vividly to life—it’s almost as if the ship is frozen in the moment of its last engagement.”

Historical analysis of the wreck has also revealed clues about Hornet’s final moments.

Several of the 5-inch guns appear to have been partially elevated as though still targeting enemy aircraft, and scattered aircraft ordnance suggests the crew made a final, desperate effort to launch planes even as the ship was engulfed in flames.

Dr.Graves explained, “The positioning of the weapons and the condition of the decks give us insight into the chaos and heroism of that battle.

We can almost hear the echoes of the crew working to defend the ship until the very end.”

The Hornet’s aircraft complement, including F4F Wildcats and SBD Dauntless dive bombers, was largely destroyed during the attack, but remnants of ordnance, including bombs and rockets, were found neatly arranged in storage racks.

These findings not only shed light on the carrier’s offensive capabilities but also illustrate the strict organizational practices of the U.S.

Navy during WWII.

“Every piece of ordnance was accounted for, and the layout reflects the disciplined, highly trained crews that manned the Hornet,” Captain Lansing noted.

The discovery has significant implications for both historical scholarship and naval heritage preservation.

Maritime historians argue that such documentation allows for a better understanding of the technological evolution of aircraft carriers and the strategies employed in the Pacific Theater.

Meanwhile, veteran organizations have praised the expedition for honoring the memory of the 2,200 sailors and airmen who served aboard the Hornet, many of whom perished during the battle.

“This wreck is a sacred site,” said James Whitmore, a spokesperson for the USS Hornet Memorial Foundation.

“Cataloging its weapons helps ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten and that the lessons of history remain tangible for future generations.”

Challenges during the expedition were immense.

Deep-sea pressures, strong currents, and limited visibility required the use of state-of-the-art ROVs capable of precise maneuvering and high-resolution imaging.

The team also had to navigate unexploded ordnance with extreme caution, ensuring safety while preserving the integrity of the historical artifacts.

“Every dive was a delicate operation,” Dr.Graves explained.

“One wrong move could have damaged a critical piece of history or triggered an accident.

But our goal was always to document, not disturb, the wreckage.”

The mission has sparked renewed interest in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, often overshadowed by larger Pacific engagements such as Midway and Guadalcanal.

Scholars and military enthusiasts now have a tangible connection to the Hornet’s story, understanding not only its strategic importance but also the human experiences aboard the ship during one of WWII’s most ferocious naval battles.

As the expedition concludes, the team plans to release a comprehensive report and a detailed digital archive of the Hornet’s weapons systems, complete with 3D imaging and video walkthroughs of the wreck.

This will allow historians, researchers, and the public to explore the carrier virtually, ensuring that the story of USS Hornet (CV-8), its formidable firepower, and the bravery of its crew continue to inspire and educate long after the ship’s final voyage.

The rediscovery and documentation of USS Hornet’s weaponry after 77 years not only preserves a crucial piece of naval history but also serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the men who fought and fell aboard her during the crucible of World War II.