USS Stein’s Giant Attacker: An Ocean Mystery Unfolds

In 1976, the US Navy destroyer USS Stein experienced one of the strangest events in naval history. While on a routine patrol in the Pacific, the ship was suddenly severely damaged by something that scientists and experts still can’t fully explain.

After returning to San Diego Harbor for inspection, engineers discovered that the ship’s hull, especially the main sonar equipment, had been severely destroyed. The metal surface shattered, leaving large gashes and clear evidence of a creature with giant teeth. Pieces of slimy film and biological moths left on the surface of the ship were immediately collected and analyzed.

Based on initial analyses, experts said the damage to the ship is very similar to the characteristics of several known species of giant squid, such as Architeuthis (giant squid). However, the size and exceptionally high level of damage far exceeds what a normal giant squid could cause.

Expanding microscopic analysis of slime stains and fragments revealed an unexpected fact: this creature appears to possess a type of biological slime that resists high pressure and is capable of causing electric shocks when applied. In other words, this murky creature can evolve in a deep-sea environment with extreme pressure, while also developing the ability to strongly attack metal objects.

Scientists have spent many years investigating the issue, but so far they have not found a decisive solution. Some researchers have proposed that the creature may be a giant variant of the giant squid or a previously undiscovered species.

Marine biologist Dr. Margaret T. Baker said: “The frequency of impacts, the properties of the silt and the shape of the pits open new avenues of research and investigation into deep-sea ecosystems.”

Others, however, suggest that this attack may have been the result of a human being extraterrestrial or specially evolved to survive in extremely harsh conditions.

All the data from the USS Stein case shows that our oceans are still full of mysteries to be discovered, especially with creatures that are beyond current understanding.