That last image of the Compass Platform was haunting...I don't think I've ever seen a wreck aside from HMAS Sydney with a hole through one of her primary battery turrets that has really chilled me with the thought of what happened to the men on the other side of the battle damage. I never knew they converted Mogami into a 'Carrier cruiser'. I always thought the only two IJN cruisers like that were Tone and Chikuma. I also never realized she put up such a heroic struggle in her final action. Japanese cruisers were tough, but Japanese damage control operations during the Pacific war were notoriously lacking, even up until the end of the war. I have heard about exceptions such as with Zuikaku, but Mogami definitely is up there now, given she took a pounding that would have likely sunk a capitol ship, and yet her crew stubbornly kept her afloat. Thank you for making these vids! As a student of military history, these kinds of wrecks are no different than cemeteries. They contain human souls, and while they must be observed and honored, they must also be left to rest. Ensuring others are educated about these wrecks, and about the stories of those who served aboard these weapons of war, is essential to paving the way for a world where ships such as Mogami, and the men who served aboard her, can rest in peace in a world that will always remember them. Didn't mean to write a little sonnet there...just felt the need to get all that out. Can't wait to see what other wrecks you'll show us this year and wish you the very best!!
I figured they would have converted Aoba into a seaplane scout cruiser as well after her single aft turret was destroyed. I think the Japanese had trouble building replacement turrets. I bet Mogami's missing turrets were repaired and used elsewhere.
I am an American expat living in Surigao City on a hill overlooking the Surigao strait. The Petrel was berthed here during this phase of her research. I was fortunate to make friends with Rob Kraft and Paul Meyer of the Petrel who were in charge of the search operations. I spent some time with these guys and am still in awe of their skill, knowlege and dedication. The Petrel was a marvel of high tech as I was able to tour the entire vessl and saw first hand the methods of searh. Also our 19 year old daughter helped them out acting as local liason, interpreter and gofer. Wonderful memories.
Hard fighting ships and crews always deserve respect from any nation. Can’t imagine the carnage of Mogami, or Mikuma for that matter. Good looking but terribly unlucky class of ships. Surprising that Japan’s new frigate line is named Mogami Class.
During my career in the USMC, I had the privilege of transiting through Surigao Strait on USN amphibious ships on a couple of occasions. During these transits, it was natural to think about the naval battle and all the wrecks on the bottom.
The bow may have been folded on the way down to the sea-bed. The hydrodynamic forces, particularly if there was damage from the ramming, ripping it away. The effect increases as the depth increases, while the structural integrity is reducing from crush damage to any air-filled compartments.
Thanks for the vid, precise and with great narration. Would do the with my set of papers from midway but I doubt I’d be able to do it better than this.
A fine machine and home to a fine crew. People forget a ship is the home of the sailors who serve. Tanker, Container, Warship...1824, 1924, 2024. Sailors and their ships is a theme that live as long as there are oceans to cross.
The USN cruisers fired a mind-boggling total of 3100 rounds of 6" & 8" shells during the engagement and are reported to have done far more damage to the Japanese fleet than did the fire from the old battleships.
I love the future & technology for stuff like this. I look forward to when they can do 3D scans of all these old ships. Maybe a day when submersible drones get small enough to go into the wrecks as well.
good videos, I would recommend finding some background music to play quietly while you talk, and clearly dividing your topics into chapters that people can navigate using a placeholder screen with a title, possibly changing the background music between each chapter. Otherwise your words are clear and your videos are easy to follow! Some sources, even if vague or simplified, would be appreciated too. Keep it up!
@@maxs.3238How is that "butthurt?" A poster asking for chapter markers in a 15 minute video, each chapter with varied background music, _that's_ butthurt.
Given Mogami's history, it's almost surprising that her fate wasn't to have a single rivet pop in a place that no one could get to, so they couldn't stop the flooding, and she sank fully intact with her entire crew, but as she went down, she somehow managed to torpedo two ships that were coming to assist her.