EXPLORERS DISCOVER WWII BELL FROM SUNKEN U.S. DESTROYER IN SOLOMON ISLANDS
In a remarkable underwater discovery, a team of marine archaeologists and explorers has recovered the ship’s bell from a U.S. Navy destroyer sunk during World War II, resting on the seafloor of the Solomon Islands for over 80 years. The bell, a powerful symbol of the vessel’s identity and service, belonged to the USS Strong (DD-467), which was lost in battle during the Pacific campaign in 1943.
The mission was carried out by a joint U.S.-Australian exploration team using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) equipped with sonar and high-definition cameras. The discovery was made in Ironbottom Sound, a stretch of ocean near Guadalcanal that earned its name due to the large number of warships and aircraft sunk there during some of the fiercest naval engagements of World War II.
The USS Strong, a Gleaves-class destroyer, was struck by a Japanese torpedo on July 5, 1943, while supporting land operations. The attack came with devastating speed and accuracy — the torpedo was reportedly fired from an extraordinary distance of 11 nautical miles. The explosion tore through the destroyer’s hull, causing it to sink within minutes. Of the 286 crew members aboard, 46 were killed.
The recovered bell, heavily encrusted with marine growth but remarkably intact, was located near the wreckage site, resting partially buried in silt. Divers and researchers described the moment as emotional and humbling. “Finding the bell was like hearing the voice of the ship after eight decades of silence,” said Dr. Emily Hart, lead marine archaeologist from the University of Sydney. “It connects us directly to the crew who served aboard and to the ship’s final moments.”
The bell is considered a critical artifact in naval tradition, often engraved with the ship’s name and commissioning date. It served as both a timekeeping device and a ceremonial symbol during the ship’s service. In naval recoveries, the bell is often the most iconic and sought-after object due to its historical and symbolic significance.
The discovery has been met with deep appreciation by descendants of the Strong’s crew. The U.S. Navy has announced plans to return the bell to the United States, where it will be cleaned, preserved, and displayed at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C. A special ceremony honoring the fallen sailors and the ship’s legacy is expected later this year.
Rear Admiral John Gumbleton, speaking on behalf of the Navy, said, “This discovery honors the sacrifice of those who served aboard the USS Strong and all who fought in the Pacific theater. It’s a reminder of the courage and cost of freedom.”
As tensions rise globally and interest in preserving historical wartime artifacts grows, the discovery underscores the importance of marine archaeology in keeping history alive. The bell of the USS Strong not only tells the story of a single ship but stands as a testament to an entire generation that faced war in the vast, unforgiving waters of the Pacific.