Explorers charting the wreck of a famous American World War II aircraft carrier have made a remarkable discovery more than three miles deep in the Pacific Ocean. The USS Yorktown and her crew fought bravely during the Second World War until multiple Japanese torpedoes finally sank the majestic ship during the Battle of Midway June 7, 1942.

The site of the wreckage, around 1,000 miles northwest of Hawaii, remains a war grave to the 141 crewmen and officers who lost their lives when the ship went under. The site remained undisturbed until it was rediscovered in May 1998 and researchers have respectfully mapped the location.

Now, a team from the US Government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has explored more of the 809-foot-long vessel as part of ongoing care of the location.

During a search of the ship using a submersible and remotely operated camera on Saturday April 19, the team from NOAA Ocean Exploration came across an unusual discovery.

Clearly visible among the giant skeleton of the wreck, the camera spotted an almost perfectly preserved car, complete with a spare tyre still fixed to the bonnet.

The Miami Herald reports researchers suspect the car is “1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe 'Woody' in black", and the NOAA added: “It has a licence plate on the front that can be partially read saying ’SHIP SERVICE’ at the top, but the lower part is illegible due to corrosion.

“Evidently staff cars of the Ford Super Deluxe model were common with the Navy and Army ashore; however, as of yet, they haven’t been able to find a ‘Woody’ in service for staff officers, so that is potentially unique for this ship.”

The car was found in the hangar of the USS Yorktown, and it's thought it could have belonged to Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, as the Yorktown was his flagship.

Speaking about the exploration of the famous ship, Naval History and Heritage Command Director Sam J. Cox, US Navy rear admiral (retired), said: “The Battle of Midway was a decisive US victory, but even victory can have a steep price, and Yorktown and her Air Group paid it.

“The Navy thanks NOAA and partners for the opportunity for our nation to reflect on the extraordinary valour and sacrifice of those who held the line and turned the tide during the darkest days of World War II, buying time with their lives for the US to fully mobilie for ultimate victory, enabling the freedom we have today.”