Malaysia Dive Sites - Labuan Island - Wreck Dives

The American Wreck, correctly called the USS Salute was a US Navy minesweeper during the second World War. She was originally built in Seattle in 1943 and first saw service in Hawaii in 1944, escorting convoys between Pearl Harbour and far eastern sea ports. Later she would serve as protection for anti-aircraft vessels and submarines as well as minesweeping operations in the Philippines. In 1945 while performing routine mine sweeping operations around Brunei Bay she struck a mine and sank. Nine US sailors lost their lives when she sank.

She now lies 14 miles from Labuan Island off the south east coast of Rusukan Kecil Islandat Barat Banks. The mine exploded midship and as she sunk USS Salute buckled up and now lies in a jumbled mess of steel at 33m deep. The shallowest part of the wreck is at 18m.

The damage caused by the mine is clearly evident. The bow now faces towards the stern. Much of the aft area is still recognizable and the propeller blades can just be seen in the sand.

Care should be taken when penetrating the wreck. Live ammunition shells and depth charges are present. Wine bottles, cutlery and shoes are scattered around. Fish life is all over the wreck. Encrusting coral, clams, barnacles and spiny black urchins cover much of the wreck. Scorpionfish and lionfish are numerous. Schools of fish include snapper and sweetlips.

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