MANILA, Philippines —Microsoft co-founder and entrepreneur Paul Allen on Friday sponsored an unmanned underwater probe of the World War II Japanese battleship Musashi that was blown into pieces in an undersea explosion 70 years ago.
The Musashi sank at the Sibuyan Sea in Romblon in October 1944 during the battle of Leyte, losing half of its 2,400 crew. It was last seen disappearing into the water in one piece.
Here are screen captures of the underwater inspection:
Crew of the Octopus observe a moment of silence for the sailors who lost their lives onboard the Musashi.
The ROV about to be loaded onto the Octopus.
The ROV about to be loaded onto the Octopus.
The ROV being winched into the Octopus.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
According to Japanese colleagues, the Musashi sank with five aircraft onboard.
The Musashi’s massive propellers, which propelled the massive warship across Philippine waters some 70 years ago.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
The entrance to the Musashi’s secondary gun barbette.
Real-time position of the ROV tracked via GPS on the Octopus.
After the fifth wave of US attacks, the Musashi started listing.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
The Bluefin-12 AUVAC (Autonomous Undersea Vehicle) being prepared for launch.
The Aichi E13A used K-8 Fairchild cameras to take aerial photographs.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
The wreck of the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history.
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