Wreck of deadliest US naval loss of World War I found after more than a century: ‘Lost with all hands’ American officials announced the discovery of the wreck of the Coast Guard cutter Tampa, the deadliest U.S. naval combat loss of World War I, found approximately 50 miles off the coast of Cornwall. The ship was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1918, sinking within three minutes and resulting in the deaths of all 131 people aboard. The discovery, made by a British technical diving team called Gasperados, was the culmination of a three-year effort involving collaboration with the Coast Guard Historian’s Office.

• The wreck of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Tampa has been discovered off the coast of Cornwall, UK.
• The Tampa sank in 1918 after being torpedoed by a German submarine, resulting in the loss of all 131 people on board.
• This incident was the deadliest U.S. naval combat loss of World War I.
• A British technical diving team, Gasperados, located the wreck at a depth exceeding 300 feet after a three-year search.
• The discovery involved collaboration with the Coast Guard Historian’s Office and the use of historical clues.
• The Coast Guard views the discovery as a way to connect with the sacrifice of the crew and bring closure.