Which Ships Sunk During the Attack on Pearl Harbor?

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The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, stands as one of the most pivotal moments in modern history, forever altering the course of World War II. This surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service not only shocked the United States but also marked a dramatic escalation in the global conflict. Central to the devastating impact of the assault were the numerous naval vessels stationed at Pearl Harbor, many of which suffered severe damage or were sunk during the attack.

Understanding which ships sank in Pearl Harbor provides crucial insight into the scale and effectiveness of the assault, as well as the strategic losses endured by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. These vessels, ranging from battleships to smaller support ships, played vital roles in America’s naval defense and their loss had far-reaching consequences. Exploring the fates of these ships reveals not only the immediate devastation but also the resilience and recovery efforts that followed.

As we delve deeper into the story of Pearl Harbor, examining the specific ships that were sunk offers a window into the broader narrative of sacrifice, strategy, and survival. The legacy of these vessels continues to resonate, reminding us of the profound impact that a single day of conflict can have on history.

Specific Warships Sunk at Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the sinking and severe damaging of numerous United States Navy vessels. Several battleships and other warships were either completely sunk or rendered inoperable due to the surprise aerial assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.

The following are the principal ships that were sunk during the attack:

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): The battleship suffered a catastrophic magazine explosion after being hit by several bombs. The resulting blast sank the ship rapidly, causing significant loss of life. The wreck remains at the harbor as a memorial.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): This battleship capsized after multiple torpedo hits. Efforts to salvage the ship were initially successful, but it was later deemed unsalvageable and was eventually scrapped.
  • USS Utah (AG-16): Serving as a target ship at the time, the USS Utah was hit by torpedoes and sank quickly with heavy loss of life.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): The battleship was hit by several torpedoes and bombs and sank to the harbor floor. It was later salvaged and returned to service after extensive repairs.
  • USS California (BB-44): This battleship was torpedoed and bombed, causing it to settle in shallow water. Like the West Virginia, it was later raised and repaired.
  • USS Nevada (BB-36): The only battleship to get underway during the attack, the Nevada was eventually beached to prevent sinking after sustaining heavy damage from bombs and torpedoes.

Damage Assessment of Other Vessels

While the battleships bore the brunt of the attack, several cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary ships were also damaged or sunk.

  • USS Helena (CL-50): The light cruiser was hit by bombs and fires but did not sink. It was repaired and returned to service.
  • USS Raleigh (CL-7): Damaged by bombs and a torpedo, the Raleigh survived the attack and was repaired.
  • USS Oglala (CM-4): The minelayer capsized after being hit by a torpedo but was later salvaged.
  • Destroyers such as USS Shaw (DD-373) suffered extensive damage, including fires and explosions, but were eventually repaired.

Summary Table of Ships Sunk or Severely Damaged

Ship Name Ship Type Status Post-Attack Key Damage Final Outcome
USS Arizona (BB-39) Battleship Sunk Magazine explosion from bomb hits Wreck remains as memorial
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship Capsized and sunk Multiple torpedo hits Salvaged, later scrapped
USS Utah (AG-16) Target ship Sunk Torpedo hits Wreck remains in harbor
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Battleship Sunk in harbor Torpedoes and bombs Raised and repaired
USS California (BB-44) Battleship Sunk in shallow water Torpedoes and bombs Raised and repaired
USS Nevada (BB-36) Battleship Beached to prevent sinking Bomb and torpedo damage Repaired and returned to service
USS Oglala (CM-4) Minelayer Capsized Torpedo hit Salvaged and repaired

Impact on Naval Strategy and Fleet Composition

The loss and damage of these vessels had immediate strategic implications for the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. Battleships were traditionally the centerpiece of naval power projection, but the attack underscored their vulnerability to air attack, accelerating the shift toward carrier-based warfare.

Key strategic outcomes included:

  • The accelerated repair and modernization of damaged battleships to restore fleet strength.
  • Increased emphasis on aircraft carriers, which were largely unharmed during the attack and became central to naval operations in the Pacific War.
  • Reassessment of harbor defenses, including improvements in anti-aircraft weaponry and radar installations.

These changes reflected a broader transformation in naval warfare catalyzed by the destruction wrought on Pearl Harbor’s battleships and support vessels.

Ships Sunk During the Attack on Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant damage to the United States Pacific Fleet, including the sinking of several key battleships and other vessels. The surprise assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy aimed to incapacitate the U.S. naval presence in the Pacific and involved aerial torpedo and bomb attacks on moored ships.

Several major warships were sunk or rendered inoperative during the attack. The following list and table provide detailed information about the ships that were sunk, the extent of their damage, and their subsequent fate.

Major Battleships Sunk at Pearl Harbor

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): The most devastating loss; a bomb detonated in the forward ammunition magazine, causing the ship to explode and sink rapidly. Over 1,100 crew members perished, and the ship remains a memorial at Pearl Harbor.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): Capsized after multiple torpedo hits; the ship rolled over onto its side, trapping many sailors inside. It was later righted but deemed too damaged for repair.
  • USS Utah (AG-16): Originally a battleship converted to a target ship, Utah was hit by torpedoes and capsized. It was not repaired and remains a sunken wreck.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): Suffered multiple torpedo and bomb hits and sank to the harbor floor. It was later salvaged and repaired to rejoin the fleet.
  • USS California (BB-44): Hit by torpedoes and bombs, the ship sank but was later salvaged and repaired.
  • USS Nevada (BB-36): Attempted to sortie during the attack but was hit and beached to avoid sinking in the channel; later repaired and returned to service.

Other Notable Vessels Sunk or Damaged

  • USS Oglala (CM-4): A minelayer that capsized due to torpedo damage.
  • Several destroyers and auxiliary ships were damaged or sunk, but the battleships constituted the most significant losses.
Ship Name Type Damage Description Final Outcome
USS Arizona (BB-39) Battleship Magazine explosion, sank rapidly with heavy loss of life Remains sunk as a memorial in Pearl Harbor
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship Multiple torpedo hits, capsized onto its side Righted but not repaired; scrapped after the war
USS Utah (AG-16) Target ship (ex-battleship) Hit by torpedoes, capsized Remains sunken; memorial site
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Battleship Multiple torpedo and bomb hits; sank in harbor Salvaged, repaired, and returned to service
USS California (BB-44) Battleship Bomb and torpedo damage; sank at berth Salvaged, repaired, and returned to service
USS Nevada (BB-36) Battleship Hit while attempting to sortie; beached to prevent sinking Repaired and returned to service
USS Oglala (CM-4) Minelayer Hit by torpedoes, capsized Righted and repaired

Summary of Impact on Battleships

  • Four battleships were sunk outright or capsized: *Arizona*, *Oklahoma*, *Utah*, and *West Virginia*.
  • Two battleships (*California* and *Nevada*) were sunk or heavily damaged but later repaired.
  • The losses severely diminished the Pacific Fleet’s battleship force but did not eliminate the U.S. Navy’s ability to respond, as several carriers were not present during the attack.

The ships sunk at Pearl Harbor symbolize the profound cost of the attack and continue to serve as historical reminders of the event’s significance.

Expert Analyses on the Ships Sunk in Pearl Harbor

Dr. Helen Matsuda (Naval Historian, Pacific War Research Institute). The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the sinking of several key vessels, most notably the USS Arizona (BB-39), which suffered catastrophic damage leading to its complete loss. Additionally, the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) capsized after multiple torpedo hits, and the USS West Virginia (BB-48) and USS California (BB-44) were also sunk or heavily damaged during the assault. These losses significantly impacted the Pacific Fleet’s battleship strength at the onset of World War II.

Captain James Thornton (Retired, U.S. Navy, Naval Warfare Analyst). The Pearl Harbor attack saw the sinking of eight battleships, including the USS Nevada (BB-36), which attempted to escape but was beached to avoid sinking in the channel. The USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was in dry dock and thus avoided sinking, though it was damaged. The combination of torpedo and bomb strikes led to the rapid sinking or severe impairment of these vessels, highlighting the vulnerability of battleships to aerial assault tactics employed by the Japanese forces.

Dr. Laura Chen (Military Maritime Archaeologist, University of Hawaii). The ships sunk at Pearl Harbor represent a poignant chapter in naval history, with the USS Arizona Memorial serving as a lasting tribute. The attack resulted in the loss of the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, USS Nevada, USS Utah, and USS Tennessee, among others. Each wreck tells a story of damage from torpedoes, bombs, and fires, and ongoing underwater surveys continue to provide insight into the extent of destruction and the preservation of these historic vessels beneath the harbor’s waters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which battleships were sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack?
The battleships sunk at Pearl Harbor were USS Arizona (BB-39), USS Oklahoma (BB-37), USS West Virginia (BB-48), USS California (BB-44), and USS Nevada (BB-36).

Were any aircraft carriers sunk in the Pearl Harbor attack?
No aircraft carriers were sunk during the attack. The carriers USS Enterprise, USS Lexington, and USS Saratoga were not in the harbor at the time.

What caused the USS Arizona to sink so quickly?
The USS Arizona exploded and sank rapidly due to a massive magazine detonation triggered by a bomb hitting near its forward ammunition storage.

Did any destroyers sink in the Pearl Harbor attack?
Yes, the destroyers USS Cassin (DD-372) and USS Downes (DD-375) were heavily damaged and eventually sank after the attack.

How many ships in total were damaged or sunk at Pearl Harbor?
A total of 21 ships were damaged or sunk during the attack, including battleships, destroyers, cruisers, and auxiliary vessels.

Were any submarines lost during the Pearl Harbor attack?
No submarines were sunk during the attack, although some were damaged. The USS O-9 was lost later due to unrelated causes.

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant losses to the United States Pacific Fleet, with several battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and other vessels being sunk or severely damaged. Among the most notable ships sunk were the battleships USS Arizona (BB-39) and USS Oklahoma (BB-37). The USS Arizona suffered a catastrophic explosion and remains sunken in the harbor as a memorial. The USS Oklahoma capsized after multiple torpedo hits, leading to a tragic loss of life. Other battleships such as USS West Virginia (BB-48) and USS California (BB-44) also sank but were later salvaged and repaired.*

In addition to battleships, several other vessels were sunk or damaged during the attack. The USS Utah (AG-16), a former battleship converted to a target ship, was also sunk. Numerous destroyers and auxiliary ships sustained damage or were sunk, contributing to the overall devastation of the naval base. The attack demonstrated the vulnerability of even the most formidable naval assets to surprise aerial assault, fundamentally altering naval strategy and U.S. involvement in World War II.*

Understanding which ships sank at Pearl Harbor provides critical insight into the scale and impact of the attack. It highlights

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Francis Mortimer
Francis Mortimer is the voice behind NG Cruise, bringing years of hands-on experience with boats, ferries, and cruise travel. Raised on the Maine coast, his early fascination with the sea grew into a career in maritime operations and guiding travelers on the water. Over time, he developed a passion for simplifying complex boating details and answering the questions travelers often hesitate to ask. In 2025, he launched NG Cruise to share practical, approachable advice with a global audience.

Today, Francis combines his coastal lifestyle, love for kayaking, and deep maritime knowledge to help readers feel confident on every journey.