[Text of Naval Message from Pentagon Communications Center from the archive of Gerald O. Day.]
[Information from California Wreck Divers is used with permission.]
NAVAL MESSAGE
NAVAL MESSAGE
RTTUZYUW RUWFSGG2704 3142243
ROUTINE
R 051643Z NOV 82
FM COMPACMISTESTCEN PT MAGU CA
TO
INFO CHNAVMAT WASHINGTON DC
PACMISTESTCEN LO WASHINGTON DC
COMTHIRDFLTREP PACMISTCEN PT MAGU CA
COMNAVSEASYSCOM WASHINGTON DC COMNAVAIRSYSCOM WASHINGTON DC
CINCPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
BT
UNCLAS //NO3500//
SUBJ: TARGET HULL EXPENDITURE
1. SHIP TARGET EX-SAVAGE (DER-386) EXPENDED AT PACMISTESTCEN IN
SUPPORT OF PROJECT TEST ON 25 OCT 82.
2. EX-SAVAGE SANK AT LAT 32 04' 00" NORTH, LONG 119 54' 00" WEST
3. EX-SAVAGE IN CONFORMITY WITH DEPT OF NAVY FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT.
BT
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She rests at 1,735 fathoms (10,410 feet or 3,173 meters). She is located over 100 miles from San Clemente Island, and 82 miles South of San Nicholas Island and far South of the Mexican land border.
Life off our coast completely disappears at about 300 feet of water. Since most life relies on photosynthesis, the density of life on the deep bottom is a fraction of what it is on the surface.
The SAVAGE should be in a condition similar to that at the time of her sinking with a good amount of paint still on her, according to Steve Lawson of California Wreck Divers.
What a beautiful sight she still must be. Finally at perfect peace.
In December of 1971, the Destroyer Escort ship John C. Butler (DE-339) was also sunk as Navy target practice off the Northwest harbor of San Clemente Island. Her coordinates are:
LAT 33 02.188' NORTH, LONG 118 34.973' WEST.
Members of the California Wreck Divers have dived the wreck of the (DE-339) and photos can be viewed at: http://www.cawreckdivers.org/SnClmnte.htm. Just click on John C. Butler to be taken to the story. This is highly recommended viewing.
CNO WASHINGTON DC
COMTHIRDFLT
NAVY DEPARTMENT
PENTAGON TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTER
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Ex-Savage Sunk
SECTION 13.
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SECTION 13. CONTENTS
