The ship’s bell from the first U.S. Navy destroyer lost to enemy action during World War I has been recovered nearly 107 years after its sinking.
The United States and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence’s Salvage and Marine Operations surveyed the wreck site that led to the recovery of the bell in January.
The American Navy kept a substantial presence in British waters and the Western Approaches during the final 18 months of World War I to help cope with the German U-boat menace and keep the maritime lifeline between the Americas and Europe open, according to Naval History and Heritage Command. Jacob Jones was one of six destroyers escorting a troop and supply convoy from southern Ireland to Brittany when it was sunk by a German submarine on Dec. 6, 1917.
According to NHHC, the shipwreck was discovered by technical divers off the Isles of Scilly, England, in August of 2022. Since then, efforts have been underway to document and study the wreck site for its long-term preservation and protection.
“The ship played an important role safeguarding convoys carrying the troops and supplies from the United States to the United Kingdom and France that were critical to Allied victory,” said retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and director of NHHC Sam J. Cox in a statement. “The wreck of the ship is a hallowed war grave and is the last resting place for many of the 64 men who were lost in the sinking.”
Cos said U.S. Navy policy is to leave such wrecks undisturbed.
“However, due to risk of unauthorized and illegal salvaging of the ship’s bell, NHHC requested Ministry of Defence assistance,” he said. “The U.S. Navy is grateful to the SALMO team for recovering the bell, which will serve as a memorial to sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of both the United States and the United Kingdom.”
The UK MOD’s SALMO team not only collected video data and recovered the ship’s bell, but also placed a wreath and American flag on the wreck in tribute to those lost 107 years ago.
Following its recovery, the bell was placed into the temporary custody of Wessex Archaeology, a private firm contracted by NHHC. After a ceremonial handover later this year, it will be sent to the NHHC’s Underwater Archaeology Branch for conservation treatment and eventual display at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.
“I am proud of what the team have achieved. To assist our allies in the recovery of the bell from such a historic wreck on the first deployment of the new ROV is a massive achievement, said SALMO Head Andy Liddell.
For more information regarding the sinking of USS Jacob Jones, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.