Battleships Sunk at Pearl Harbor: A Historic Overview
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941, is one of the most infamous events in modern history. The attack, which killed over 2,400 Americans and led to the United States’ entry into World War II, was a devastating blow to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Among the many ships damaged or destroyed that day were several battleships, which were the pride of the U.S. Navy at the time.
Why the Battleships Were at Pearl Harbor
In the early 1940s, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in an effort to deter Japanese aggression in the region. The battleships, which were the largest and most powerful warships in the fleet, were considered the ultimate symbol of naval power. However, on the morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the fleet, catching the Americans off guard.
The Battleships Sunk at Pearl Harbor
A total of eight battleships were sunk or severely damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Here is a brief overview of each of the battleships that were sunk:
- USS Arizona (BB-39): The USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that was commissioned in 1915. It was one of the largest ships in the U.S. fleet at the time and was known for its advanced fire control systems. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona was hit by a 1,760-pound armor-piercing bomb, which detonated the ship’s forward magazine, killing 1,177 crew members.
- USS Oklahoma (BB-37): The USS Oklahoma was a Nevada-class battleship that was commissioned in 1914. It was one of the oldest battleships in the U.S. fleet at the time of the attack. The USS Oklahoma was hit by four torpedoes and two bombs, causing it to capsize and killing 415 crew members.
- USS California (BB-44): The USS California was a Tennessee-class battleship that was commissioned in 1921. It was one of the most modern battleships in the U.S. fleet at the time of the attack. The USS California was hit by two torpedoes and one bomb, causing it to sink and killing 100 crew members.
- USS West Virginia (BB-48): The USS West Virginia was a Colorado-class battleship that was commissioned in 1923. It was one of the most powerful battleships in the U.S. fleet at the time of the attack. The USS West Virginia was hit by six torpedoes and one bomb, causing it to sink and killing 106 crew members.
- USS Tennessee (BB-43): The USS Tennessee was a Tennessee-class battleship that was commissioned in 1920. It was one of the most modern battleships in the U.S. fleet at the time of the attack. The USS Tennessee was hit by two bombs, causing moderate damage and killing 5 crew members.
- USS Maryland (BB-46): The USS Maryland was a Colorado-class battleship that was commissioned in 1921. It was one of the most modern battleships in the U.S. fleet at the time of the attack. The USS Maryland was hit by two bombs, causing moderate damage and killing 4 crew members.
- USS Pennsylvania (BB-38): The USS Pennsylvania was a Pennsylvania-class battleship that was commissioned in 1915. It was one of the largest ships in the U.S. fleet at the time of the attack. The USS Pennsylvania was in dry dock at the time of the attack and was not sunk, but it was damaged by bombs and strafing.
- USS Utah (AG-16): The USS Utah was a Florida-class battleship that was commissioned in 1911. It was one of the oldest battleships in the U.S. fleet at the time of the attack. The USS Utah was converted into a target ship in 1931 and was not armed at the time of the attack. It was hit by two torpedoes and capsized, killing 58 crew members.
Aftermath of the Attack
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a devastating blow to the U.S. Pacific Fleet and led to a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy. The U.S. declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, and subsequently declared war on Germany and Italy. The attack on Pearl Harbor also led to a significant increase in U.S. military spending and a massive buildup of the country’s military forces.
🚨 Note: The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack, and the U.S. military was not prepared for it. The attack resulted in significant losses and damage, but it also led to a significant increase in U.S. military spending and a massive buildup of the country's military forces.
Restoration and Memorialization
In the years following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy worked to restore and memorialize the battleships that were sunk. The USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah were not raised, but instead were left to rest on the ocean floor as a memorial to the crew members who lost their lives. The USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Tennessee, USS Maryland, and USS Pennsylvania were all raised and repaired, and went on to serve in the war.
In 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated, which spans the length of the sunken battleship. The memorial is one of the most visited attractions in Hawaii and serves as a reminder of the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
🚨 Note: The USS Arizona Memorial is a sacred place and a reminder of the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Visitors are asked to be respectful and to not touch or remove any artifacts from the memorial.
Conclusion
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a significant event in modern history, and the battleships that were sunk during the attack will always be remembered as a symbol of the sacrifices made by the U.S. military. The restoration and memorialization of the battleships serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring the past and remembering the lives lost during times of war.
How many battleships were sunk at Pearl Harbor?
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A total of eight battleships were sunk or severely damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
What was the name of the battleship that was not raised?
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The USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah were not raised.
How many crew members lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor?
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A total of 2,403 crew members lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Related Terms:
- USS Arizona
- Attack on Pearl Harbor
- Arizona battleship
- USS Arizona Memorial
- Pearl harbour wiki
- USS Oglala
