Wreck of US warship nicknamed 'dancing mouse' discovered

US and Australian officials announced on November 11 that they had found the wreck of a US Navy warship sunk during World War II, famous for dodging enemy bullets despite being damaged.

The warship mentioned above is the US destroyer USS Edsall, which was sunk on March 1, 1942, three months after the Japanese fascists launched an attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, The Guardian reported on November 11.

The ship was sailing towards the Indonesian island of Java before encountering Japanese forces. The ship’s skillful maneuvering to avoid attacks before being sunk is why the Japanese nicknamed it “the dancing mouse”.

US Navy destroyer USS Edsall

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT THE GUARDIAN

Writing on social media on November 11, US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said: “I am honored to recognize the role of the Australian Navy in discovering the wreck of the US Navy ship USS Edsall, a warship with a special place in naval history.”

The ship, about 91 meters long, carried 153 sailors and dozens of pilots. It had suffered damage from previous attacks and was considered unfit for combat, but was still deployed to support other ships when it clashed with the Japanese Navy.

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Despite the damage, USS Edsall successfully evaded attacks for over an hour, surviving hundreds of enemy gunfire salvos, before being sunk by Japanese dive bombers.

The wreck was first discovered last year at a depth of more than 5,400 meters near Australia's Christmas Island, according to the US Navy. Royal Australian Navy Commander Mark Hammond said the USS Edsall was discovered by an Australian Navy support vessel that was conducting hydrographic observations.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-hien-xac-chien-ham-my-mang-biet-danh-chuot-nhay-mua-185241112070208992.htm