Wreck of troop transport sunk in World War II found off Brazil

The wreck of a troop transport that was sunk in World War II after being struck by a German torpedo has been found off the coast of Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.

The final resting place of the troop transport Vital de Oliveira approximately 65 kilometres off Rio De Janeiro was first discovered by two local divers in 2011.

However, the ship's identity remained unknown until earlier this year, when a group of maritime archaeologists aboard an oceanographic research vessel used multibeam and side-scan sonars to confirm the wreck as that of Vital de Oliveira.

Originally built in 1910, the ship entered Brazilian Navy service in 1931. It was used as a transport and as a supply vessel and operated in Brazil's coastal waters.

Vital de Oliveira sank on the night of July 19, 1944 after being struck by a torpedo fired by the German submarine U-861. One hundred of the ship's crew were killed in the attack.

Vital de Oliveira is one of three Brazilian Navy ships that were sunk in World War II, as well as the only one to be lost as a result of enemy action.