Sunken WWII ships near Indonesia have disappeared, possibly scavenged

[ScubaJill]

Wrecks were at 230 feet and discovered in 2002.

Several World War II warships mysteriously disappear from watery grave at the site of Battle of Java Sea

(Not sure where to put this. Mods, please move if necessary.)

 

[flyboy08]

Scavengers for sure....

 

[DFDubb]

Hard to believe metal that's been at the bottom of the ocean for 70 years retains any value.

 

[runsongas]

Low-background steel - Wikipedia

you would be surprised

 

[noj3333]

Low-background steel - Wikipedia

you would be surprised

Wow...

 

[Serge Tao]

According to Indonesian fishermen, parts of these wrecks have been shipped to Surabaya harbor.

 

[Centrals]

HMS Exeter is(WAS) the only one in my bucket list!!!!!!

 

[shoredivr]

Disturbing war graves by ripping the warships apart, that's bad.

Makes divers swimming through war shipwrecks as a disturbance to the remains of sailors seem pretty minor.

 

[adurso]

The bronze propellers were worth tens of thousands of dollars as scrap.

The brass and copper fittings are what they are going after inside the vessels.

The scavengers are using homemade explosives to blow open compartments; according to an article I read they anchor a small fishing vessel then start using explosives then bring out a bigger vessel with a crane and start hoisting