Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen says he's found the wreckage of one of Japan's largest battleships in the Sibuyan Sea off the Philippines after an eight-year long search for the vessel.

The billionaire tweeted underwater photos of the Musashi, which was sunk during World War II by U.S. forces in the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf, killing half of those onboard. The photos were captured by the Octo ROV deployed from Allen's 414-foot mega yacht M/Y Octopus after he found the vessel on Sunday.

The 73,000-ton Musashi and its sister vessel the Yamato, which U.S. forces sunk the next year, were two of the most powerful battleships ever built.

WW2 Battleship Musashi sank 1944 is FOUND > 1K M deep by MY Octopus Sibuyan sea, bow Chrysanthemum, huge anchor. pic.twitter.com/b9ZMA0icI8 — Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) March 2, 2015

RIP crew of Musashi, appx 1023 lost. The pic of the valve 1st confirmation of Japanese origin (clues 2 use apprec). pic.twitter.com/BcJgkhWskb — Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) March 2, 2015

"Mr. Allen’s passion for preserving and sharing historic military technology is inspired by his father’s service in WWII," according to a statement on Allen's personal website.

"Its discovery will not only help fill in the narrative of WWII’s Pacific theater, but bring closure to the families of those lost."

The video below shows the underwater site of the discovery.

A spokesperson for the Philippines Navy and coastguard said the government had not been informed about the discovery, according to the Japan Times.