USS Emmons

Emmons began as a Gleaves-class destroyer and was converted into a minesweeper to clear Okinawa's coastal waters. During the battle of Okinawa five kamikaze planes hit her within minutes; burning and unable to manoeuvre, she was abandoned and sunk by her own navy on 7 April 1945, with 60 crew killed and 77 wounded. Local divers found the wreck in 2001 near Kouri Island, 15 to 20 minutes by boat from Kouri port. Her guns still point upward and unused torpedoes remain on deck. Three permanent lines on the ship help with descent and ascent, and two dives are usually spent on different halves of the hull. The depth and frequent currents make deep diver training and careful gas planning essential, and penetrating the wreck or removing items is not allowed.