American Wreck

This dive site features the wreck of a World War Two US Navy Minesweeper that can be found just 24 kilometers to the south of Labuan, in about 30 meters of water. This ship, the USS Salute was built in 1943, in Seattle. It was used in Hawaii to escort ships between the Far East and Pearl Harbor in 1944. After providing assistance for anti-aircraft ships and submarine, the USS Salute hit a mine in 1945. It is reported that nine servicemen died when the ship sank. The stern is moderately intact and one can see the blades of the propeller at about 30 meters of water. You can also see depth charge rails on the deck as well as the massive bow. To the starboard side one can see the third and final section of the vessel. Due to the large amount of damage the mine caused, one can easily enter the wreck. Be careful though, the ship is slowly but surely falling apart and one can occasionally find live ammo.