As Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen demonstrated, owning a superyacht isn’t just an extravagant pursuit of endless fun. The US billionaire, with his $285 million vessel, achieved what no pleasure craft owner could: he used his own submarine to discover the wreckage of the Japanese Navy’s largest battleship, Musashi, in 2015. The battleship, with a length of 862 feet, sank in 1944 by the United States and has remained an undiscovered enigma on the ocean floor for the past 70 years. Allen found it at a depth of over 1 km (3,280 ft) in the Sibuyan Sea off the Philippines.
The late philanthropist shared his remarkable discovery on Twitter, revealing the rusty bow of the World War II warship bearing the recognizable Japanese Chrysanthemum seal. “WW2 Battleship Musashi sank 1944 is FOUND.”
His team, aboard the Octopus, a 414-foot luxury yacht featuring an undersea exploration vessel, released a series of images showcasing the Sibuyan Sea floor. From Musahi’s deteriorating anchors to a heavily rimed valve, seven decades’ worth of mysteries was finally solved, reported BBC.
The post was captioned: “RIP crew of Musashi, approximately 1,023 lost.” The 65-year-old businessman, worth $20.3 billion, and his research team collected historical records from four different countries to pinpoint the ship’s location. Thanks to his superyacht’s remote-operated probe, Octo ROV, the Japanese Navy’s biggest battleship was discovered nearly a decade ago.
The owner of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers began his search for the Musashi eight years ago, driven by his fascination with World War II history. “Since my youth, I have been fascinated with World War II history, inspired by my father’s service in the U.S. Army,” said Mr. Allen. “The Musashi is truly an engineering marvel, and, as an engineer at heart, I have a deep appreciation for the technology and effort that went into its construction. I am honored to play a part in finding this key vessel in naval history and honoring the memory of the incredible bravery of the men who served aboard her.”
The philanthropist who passed away in 2018 utilized his luxury craft, Octopus, for exploration projects, scientific research initiatives, and rescue missions. The 414-footer was spotted at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, where the new owner of the luxury vessel, Swedish pharmaceuticals billionaire Roger Samuelsson, paid $138,000 just to moor it near the tracks and enjoy the race from it.
About the outstanding Octopus superyacht:
The spectacular Lurssen megayacht has been in the business for two decades and stands as one of the most exemplary creations showcasing the talent of Espen Øino Naval Architects, Lürssen, and designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.
This extravagant eight-decker is replete with a myriad of amenities, including several bars, a spa, a library, a cinema, a gym, a basketball court, and not one but two helicopters. The goliath also boasts a seemingly endless armada of toys and tenders, featuring two submarines and a floatplane. The $285 million vessel, launched in 2003, is equipped with more than 54 tonnes of AV and IT equipment on board.
The new owner, billionaire Roger Samuelsson, worth $1 billion, requested some changes in 2021. The music studio was transformed into a lounge bar, and the glass-bottom pool was converted into an exceptional on-water dance floor at the touch of a button. The lavish Octopus yacht accommodates 26 guests in 13 cabins.
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