Uncover the Mysterious Stories Behind Vehicles Lost Beneath the Waves—What Happened to These Sunken Machines?

How A Motorcycle Ended Up Underwater

The SS Thistlegorm transferred several military vehicles. But after it sank, divers were surprised to find motorcycles as part of the cargo. This vintage motorcycle was likely owned by a soldier or higher-ranking Army member.

Specifically, this is a Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited (BSA) motorcycle. BSA was the same company that produced other military vehicles, including firearms, buses, bicycles, and cars. During the ’50s and ’60s, it was the largest motorcycle producer in the world. But this is a vintage BSA motorcycle from the 1940s.

A Haunting Graveyard Of Japanese Tanks

This tank is a remnant of Japan’s war technology. During World War II, Truk Lagoon was a Japanese naval base within the Federated States of Micronesia. At one point, it was their main base with 13,700 people. In 1944, the U.S. Navy commenced “Operation Hailstone” which bombed the base.

As a result, many of Japan’s war vehicles sunk to the bottom of the ocean, where they have remained for almost 80 years. This tank is only one piece of an enormous, haunting graveyard of war vehicles.

Coming up: the last B24 aircraft ever made is in the ocean.

In 1980, These Trucks Fell Off A Sinking Ship

These trucks are part of a larger shipwreck that occurred in 1980. In June of that year, the Swedish ferry MS Zenobia embarked on her maiden voyage. Due to a software error with the water pumps, the Zenobia sank near Larnaca, Cyprus.

The ship, along with her cargo, now lies 138 feet beneath the surface. Because the ship tilted, her contents fell into the water before she did. These massive trucks ended up next to each other, both resting on their sides. It is an unusual and eerie sight.

The Last B24 Liberator Is Underwater

Near the Croatian island Vis, 128 feet below the surface, there is an American B24 Liberator. This heavy bomber had many updates throughout World War II. This plane, nicknamed the “Tulsamerican,” ran out of fuel and crash-landed around 1945.

Based on the aircraft’s serial number, 42-51430, this is likely the last B24 ever produced. It was made in Tulsa by Douglas Aircraft, on July 31, 1944. If you want to see the last B24 heavy bomber, you will have to dive over 100 feet to see it at the bottom of the ocean.

Someone Sold This Car For $9,000

This 1959 Chevy Impala has been in a pond for 15 years. Not much is known about where it is, but the owner apparently drove it into the pond on purpose. They wanted to make an artificial reef instead of paying for a statue or art sculpture.

After several years, it became clear that the artificial reef idea would not work. The car was too close to the surface for fish to inhabit it. So instead, the owner fished it out and sold it for $9,000. The new owner has a big restoration job!

A 1970 Mustang Turned Into A Reef

It’s not common to see an expensive luxury car underwater. But this 1970 Mustang has gone from the road to the bottom of the ocean. Like many other vintage or “dead” vehicles, it was transformed into an artificial reef.

The Mustang used to be bright red, but its paint is slowly coming off. Some of the parts were removed, such as the lights and tires, likely for recycling. Meanwhile, fish and seaweed seem to be turning the car into their new home.