The USS Anderson (DD-411) was a Sims-class destroyer that served the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Rear Admiral Edwin Alexander Anderson, the ship played a significant role in several key naval battles. The Anderson survived the war but met its final end as part of Operation Crossroads in Bikini Atoll. Today, it is one of the more intact wrecks in Bikini and is a key dive on any expedition.
OPERATION CROSSROADS
Operation Crossroads At the end of WWI, the Japanese took over administration of the Marshall Islands and, in anticipation of WWII, increased their military presence in the islands. Due to its strategic location, Kwajalein Atoll in particular became a key Japanese outpost. However, towards the end of WWII in February 1944, American forces took Kwajalein and the Marshall Islands by force.
In December 1945, President Harry Truman informed the US Forces that nuclear weapon testing would be undertaken “to determine the effect of atomic bombs on American warships. Unluckily for Bikini, its isolation meant it was chosen as the Operation Crossroads test site.
The US testing program advanced swiftly, culminating in 95 target ships placed in Bikini’s lagoon. These targets were to be hit with two rounds of Fat Man plutonium implosion weapons, the same type of nuclear bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki.
The first blast, Able, was dropped from a B-29 aircraft and detonated at an altitude of 158m/518ft at 9 am on the first of July, 1946. The bomb was intended to hit the USS Nevada battleship, however, it missed its target and instead sank the USS Gilham, USS Carlisle, USS Lamson, IJN Sakawa, and the USS Anderson.
The US testing program advanced swiftly, culminating in 95 target ships placed in Bikini’s lagoon. These targets were to be hit with two rounds of Fat Man plutonium implosion weapons, the same type of nuclear bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki.
The first blast, Able, was dropped from a B-29 aircraft and detonated at an altitude of 158m/518ft at 9 am on the first of July, 1946. The bomb was intended to hit the USS Nevada battleship, however, it missed its target and instead sank the USS Gilham, USS Carlisle, USS Lamson, IJN Sakawa, and the USS Anderson.
Construction and Early Service
The USS Anderson was constructed at the Boston Navy Yard, with its keel laid down on November 15, 1937. It was launched on February 4, 1939, and commissioned on May 19, 1939. The ship was part of the Sims-class destroyers, a group of 12 ships known for their powerful armaments and advanced engineering design. It was armed with five 5-inch guns, four .50 caliber machine guns, eight 21-inch torpedo tubes and two depth charge tracks.
During its early years, the Anderson operated primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, performing routine patrols and training exercises. However, with the advent of World War II, the ship’s role expanded significantly.
World War II Service
The USS Anderson spent the majority of WWII in the Pacific, initially operating out of Pearl Harbour in 1940, before returning to San Diego and then San Pedro for refit at the end of the year. In 1941 it was reassigned to the Atlantic for a brief spell, taking part in the Atlantic Neutrality Patrols before being assigned to Task Force 15. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 saw the USS Anderson returning to the States where her .50-caliber machine guns were replaced with 20mm anti-aircraft guns. In early 1942, she traveled to Hawaii and joined the aircraft carrier Task Force 17, spending the remainder of WWII in the Pacific Theatre.
The USS Anderson’s wartime service is notable for its participation in several major battles and operations, earning the ship a total of 10 battle stars. The destroyer was involved in convoy escort duties, anti-submarine warfare, and shore bombardments. One of its most distinguished moments came during the Battle of Midway in June 1942 where the Anderson played a crucial role in screening aircraft carriers and rescuing survivors from the sinking USS Yorktown.
Following Midway, the Anderson continued to serve valiantly in the Pacific Theater. It took part in the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, and the Aleutian Islands Campaign, among others. Throughout the war she survived multiple attacks by Japanese airplanes including being hit by a Japanese kamikaze in November 1944.
Post-War duties
After the conclusion of World War II, the fate of many naval vessels, including the USS Anderson, was uncertain. Decommissioned in July 1946, the ship was earmarked for retention in an inactive status and selected to participate in Operation Crossroads to investigate the effects of nuclear explosions on naval ships, equipment, and materials. Two days after Christmas, she got underway for Hawaiian waters and then reached her ultimate destination on 30 May 1946 where she was positioned as a target for the experimental tests to which she would be subjected.
On July 1, 1946, test Able sank the USS Anderson, and its name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 25 September 1946.
Exploring the Wreck
The wreck of the USS Anderson now lies at the bottom of Bikini Lagoon, part of a ghostly fleet of ships that bear witness to the dawn of the nuclear age. Still reasonably intact, it sits on its port side on the sand at 170 ft/52 m. Although there is no real opportunity for safe penetration, the outside of the wreck yields a host of fascinating military equipment.
Descending down the mooring line, divers land on the starboard propeller and carry on down towards the port propeller at 165 ft/50 m. The props are still both in good condition and are covered in straggly soft corals, unique to this wreck. Following the deckline from stern to bow, the entire 350 ft/107 m wreck can be covered in a single dive, and there is plenty to discover. Highlights include the 5-inch guns, the bridge, torpedo rails, depth charges and anti-aircraft guns. The torpedo tubes, in particular, make for some great photo opportunities
The legacy of the USS Anderson is multifaceted. It is a symbol of wartime valor, having served with distinction during World War II. Its participation in Operation Crossroads marks a pivotal moment in naval and nuclear history, illustrating the profound and destructive power of nuclear weapons.
Dive Deeper
Welcome to the world of Dirty Dozen Expeditions
The USS Anderson is one of the most frequently requested wrecks on Dirty Dozen Expedition’s Bikini Atoll itinerary. As one of the non-penetration doves, she is normally reserved for a lighter day in the trip when divers request an easier day.
Liveaboard dives normally tie up to the stern mooring and we use a deco-bar for the 10 and 20-feet stops for added comfort. Runtime is usually around 120 minutes on CCR and 100 minutes on OC.
Find out more about joining a Dirty Dozen expedition and diving the USS Anderson, as well as the other spectacular wrecks of Bikini Atoll on our website or drop us an email at info@thedirtydozen.org.