When Were Battleships Sunk At Pearl Harbor? Key Facts

The attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941, was a pivotal event in World War II that drew the United States into the conflict. The surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, resulted in significant losses, including the sinking of several battleships. Understanding the timeline and details of these sinkings is crucial for grasping the full impact of the attack.

Overview of the Attack

The attack on Pearl Harbor began at 7:55 AM Hawaiian Time, when the first wave of Japanese aircraft, including bombers, fighters, and torpedo planes, descended upon the naval base. The attack was intended to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with Japanese expansionist policies in Asia, particularly the invasion of Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. The U.S. naval fleet was caught off guard, with many ships moored in the harbor and aircraft parked wingtip to wingtip on the airfields, making them easy targets.

Battleships Sunk or Damaged

A total of eight battleships were moored in Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. Of these, four were sunk, and all but one of the others were damaged to some extent. The battleships sunk during the attack included:

• USS Arizona (BB-39): The Arizona was among the most heavily damaged ships, suffering a catastrophic explosion after being hit by a bomb that struck its forward magazine. The blast killed 1,177 crew members, accounting for nearly half of all U.S. fatalities during the attack.
• USS Oklahoma (BB-37): The Oklahoma was hit by multiple torpedoes, causing it to capsize. A total of 415 crew members lost their lives when the ship sank.
• USS California (BB-44): The California sank after being hit by two torpedoes and at least one bomb. Despite the extensive damage, the crew managed to keep the ship afloat for several hours before it finally slipped beneath the surface, resulting in the loss of 100 lives.
• USS West Virginia (BB-48): The West Virginia was hit by multiple torpedoes and bombs, causing it to sink upright in the harbor. The attack on the West Virginia resulted in 106 fatalities.

The other battleships present in the harbor, including the USS Pennsylvania, USS Maryland, USS Tennessee, and USS Nevada, were damaged but not sunk. The USS Utah, which was moored in a different part of the harbor, was also sunk, but it had been decommissioned as a battleship and was serving as a target ship at the time of the attack.

Aftermath and Salvage Efforts

The aftermath of the attack saw extensive salvage efforts aimed at recovering and repairing as many of the damaged ships as possible. The USS California, USS West Virginia, and USS Nevada were eventually refloated and repaired, returning to service during the war. The USS Oklahoma was also refloated but was deemed too damaged for repair and was eventually sold for scrap. The USS Arizona and USS Utah were not salvaged due to the extent of the damage and the number of lives lost; they remain on the harbor floor as memorials to the crew members who perished.

Lessons Learned and Future Implications

The attack on Pearl Harbor highlighted the importance of air power in naval warfare and the vulnerability of static defenses against surprise attacks. It led to significant changes in U.S. naval doctrine, emphasizing the development of aircraft carriers and the implementation of more robust defensive measures, including improved air defense systems and enhanced intelligence gathering capabilities. The strategic shift towards carrier-based operations played a crucial role in the Allied victory in World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater.

The technical and tactical lessons learned from the attack on Pearl Harbor have continued to influence naval strategy and operations up to the present day. The emphasis on carrier strike groups as the centerpiece of modern naval power reflects the enduring legacy of the Pearl Harbor attack in shaping the U.S. Navy's approach to maritime warfare.