US Warship Wreck Discovered off Australian Coast

Washington D.C. [Alayaran.com News] - In a significant discovery that marks new insights into World War II history, the wreck of a US destroyer, USS Edsall, has been found in the Pacific Ocean, near the coast of Australia.

The Edsall, which sank in 1942 during the Second World War, was under the command of Lt. Joshua Nix at the time and earned the nickname "dancing mouse" for its evasive maneuvers against Japanese forces. According to officials, including United States Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, Nix and his crew fought bravely, successfully evading over 1,400 shells from Japanese battleships and cruisers.

The discovery was made by a team of US naval officials working in collaboration with the Australian Navy's support ship MV Stoker. Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Australia's chief of navy, praised the Edsall crew for their crucial efforts in defending Australia during the war's early stages before they were ultimately sunk on March 1, 1942.

According to historical accounts by the US Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), Lt. Nix's final moments are recorded as a testament to his bravery: "Like the famous cartoon of the little mouse flipping the bird at a huge screaming eagle, Lieutenant Nix chose to make a fight of it". With over 1,000 rounds fired from Japanese warships and bombers, the ship was largely no match for the superior firepower.

In a final act of defiance, Lt. Nix ordered Edsall's bow towards the approaching Japanese ships as the fire engulfed the vessel, making a dramatic last stand before being sunk by powerful 14-inch shells.