Photos: Divers Reveal Sunken Wreck of a PBY-5 Catalina

On the 74th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, NOAA and University of Hawaii archaeologists released rare images of a sunken PBY-5 Catalina, a U.S. Navy seaplane that was lost during the attack. University of Hawaii dive teams have attempted to photograph the wreckage since 1994; it wasn't until their latest effort that they produced the first documentation of the entire site.

"The new images and site plan help tell the story of a largely forgotten casualty of the attack," said Hans Van Tilburg, a maritime archaeologist. "The sunken PBY plane is a very important reminder of the 'Day of Infamy,' just like the USS Arizona and USS Utah. They are all direct casualties of December 7."

Check out the up-close details and explore the wreckage of this PBY-5 Catalina.

PBY anchor in anchor well and cockpit (upper right). UH Marine Option Program
Silted interior of the fuselage in the area of the mechanic's compartment. UH Marine Option Program
The tear in the port hull and mid-fuselage break. UH Marine Option Program

Structure members of the tail section lie a short distance away from the starboard wingtip. UH Marine Option Program
The starboard engine nacelle (housing) extending into the silt. UH Marine Option Program
Cockpit detail showing portside wheel and throttle controls (left) extending downward (to the right) from the overhead. UH Marine Option Program
PBY-5 making a landing. USN

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