Intro
Explore the devastating history of the 8 battleships lost at Pearl Harbor, a pivotal event in WWII. Learn about the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and other ill-fated vessels, their significance, and the heroic stories of survival. Discover the impact of the surprise attack on US naval history and its lasting legacy.
December 7, 1941, is a date that will be etched in the memories of Americans forever. It was the day when the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans and destroying or damaging numerous battleships, cruisers, and other naval vessels. Among the most iconic casualties of the attack were the eight battleships that were either sunk or severely damaged. In this article, we will delve into the stories of these eight battleships, exploring their histories, the circumstances of their sinking, and their significance in the broader context of World War II.
The USS Arizona (BB-39)
The USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that was commissioned in 1915. She was one of the oldest battleships at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Arizona was moored at Ford Island, alongside several other battleships, when the Japanese attack began. At 8:06 a.m., a 1,760-pound armor-piercing bomb hit the Arizona's forward magazine, causing a massive explosion that killed 1,177 crew members. The Arizona sank to the bottom of the harbor, where she remains today as a memorial to the lives lost.
Design and Construction
The USS Arizona was designed to be a fast and heavily armed battleship, with a top speed of 21 knots and a main armament of 12 14-inch guns. She was constructed at the New York Navy Yard and commissioned on October 17, 1915.
Service History
The Arizona served in World War I, participating in several convoy escorts and naval exercises. In the 1920s and 1930s, she underwent several modernizations, including the installation of new guns and radar systems.
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37)
The USS Oklahoma was a Nevada-class battleship that was commissioned in 1914. She was the oldest battleship at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Oklahoma was moored at Ford Island, alongside the Arizona, when the Japanese attack began. At 8:00 a.m., she was hit by four torpedoes, which caused her to capsize. A total of 415 crew members were killed in the attack.
Design and Construction
The USS Oklahoma was designed to be a slow but heavily armored battleship, with a top speed of 20 knots and a main armament of 10 14-inch guns. She was constructed at the New York Navy Yard and commissioned on May 2, 1914.
Service History
The Oklahoma served in World War I, participating in several convoy escorts and naval exercises. In the 1920s and 1930s, she underwent several modernizations, including the installation of new guns and radar systems.
The USS California (BB-44)
The USS California was a Tennessee-class battleship that was commissioned in 1920. She was moored at Berth F-3, alongside the USS Tennessee and the USS Maryland, when the Japanese attack began. At 8:00 a.m., she was hit by two torpedoes and several bombs, which caused her to sink to the bottom of the harbor. A total of 100 crew members were killed in the attack.
Design and Construction
The USS California was designed to be a fast and heavily armed battleship, with a top speed of 21 knots and a main armament of 12 14-inch guns. She was constructed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard and commissioned on August 10, 1920.
Service History
The California served in the 1920s and 1930s, participating in several naval exercises and fleet maneuvers.
The USS West Virginia (BB-48)
The USS West Virginia was a Colorado-class battleship that was commissioned in 1923. She was moored at Berth F-6, alongside the USS Oklahoma and the USS Maryland, when the Japanese attack began. At 8:00 a.m., she was hit by six torpedoes and several bombs, which caused her to sink to the bottom of the harbor. A total of 106 crew members were killed in the attack.
Design and Construction
The USS West Virginia was designed to be a fast and heavily armed battleship, with a top speed of 21 knots and a main armament of 8 16-inch guns. She was constructed at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and commissioned on December 1, 1923.
Service History
The West Virginia served in the 1920s and 1930s, participating in several naval exercises and fleet maneuvers.
The USS Tennessee (BB-43)
The USS Tennessee was a Tennessee-class battleship that was commissioned in 1920. She was moored at Berth F-2, alongside the USS California and the USS Maryland, when the Japanese attack began. At 8:00 a.m., she was hit by two bombs, which caused significant damage to her superstructure.
Design and Construction
The USS Tennessee was designed to be a fast and heavily armed battleship, with a top speed of 21 knots and a main armament of 12 14-inch guns. She was constructed at the New York Navy Yard and commissioned on June 3, 1920.
Service History
The Tennessee served in the 1920s and 1930s, participating in several naval exercises and fleet maneuvers.
The USS Maryland (BB-46)
The USS Maryland was a Colorado-class battleship that was commissioned in 1921. She was moored at Berth F-5, alongside the USS Oklahoma and the USS West Virginia, when the Japanese attack began. At 8:00 a.m., she was hit by two bombs, which caused significant damage to her superstructure.
Design and Construction
The USS Maryland was designed to be a fast and heavily armed battleship, with a top speed of 21 knots and a main armament of 8 16-inch guns. She was constructed at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and commissioned on July 21, 1921.
Service History
The Maryland served in the 1920s and 1930s, participating in several naval exercises and fleet maneuvers.
The USS Pennsylvania (BB-38)
The USS Pennsylvania was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that was commissioned in 1915. She was in dry dock at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard when the Japanese attack began. At 8:00 a.m., she was hit by a bomb, which caused significant damage to her superstructure.
Design and Construction
The USS Pennsylvania was designed to be a fast and heavily armed battleship, with a top speed of 21 knots and a main armament of 12 14-inch guns. She was constructed at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and commissioned on June 12, 1915.
Service History
The Pennsylvania served in World War I, participating in several convoy escorts and naval exercises. In the 1920s and 1930s, she underwent several modernizations, including the installation of new guns and radar systems.
The USS Nevada (BB-36)
The USS Nevada was a Nevada-class battleship that was commissioned in 1914. She was moored at Berth F-8, alongside the USS Oklahoma and the USS Arizona, when the Japanese attack began. At 8:00 a.m., she was hit by one torpedo and several bombs, which caused significant damage to her superstructure.
Design and Construction
The USS Nevada was designed to be a slow but heavily armored battleship, with a top speed of 20 knots and a main armament of 10 14-inch guns. She was constructed at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company and commissioned on March 11, 1914.
Service History
The Nevada served in World War I, participating in several convoy escorts and naval exercises. In the 1920s and 1930s, she underwent several modernizations, including the installation of new guns and radar systems.
Pearl Harbor Battleships Gallery
What happened to the USS Arizona during the Pearl Harbor attack?
+The USS Arizona was hit by a 1,760-pound armor-piercing bomb, which caused a massive explosion that killed 1,177 crew members. The ship sank to the bottom of the harbor, where it remains today as a memorial to the lives lost.
Which battleship was the oldest at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?
+The USS Oklahoma was the oldest battleship at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, having been commissioned in 1914.
How many battleships were sunk or severely damaged during the Pearl Harbor attack?
+A total of eight battleships were sunk or severely damaged during the Pearl Harbor attack: USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Tennessee, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, and USS Nevada.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a pivotal moment in American history, marking the country's entry into World War II. The eight battleships that were sunk or severely damaged during the attack played a significant role in the war, with several of them being salvaged and repaired to continue fighting. Today, the USS Arizona Memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost during the attack, and the sacrifices made by the men and women who served on these battleships.