Which Ships Were Destroyed at Pearl Harbor During the Attack?

AvatarByFrancis Mortimer Ports & Embarkation

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, stands as one of the most pivotal moments in modern history, marking the United States’ sudden entry into World War II. This surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy targeted the U.S. Pacific Fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, causing widespread devastation. Among the many tragic consequences of that day was the destruction and damage inflicted upon numerous American naval vessels, forever altering the course of the war and naval strategy.

Understanding which ships were destroyed at Pearl Harbor offers a window into the scale and impact of the attack. The fleet stationed there was a formidable force, comprising battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and support vessels, each playing a vital role in America’s naval defense. The assault not only inflicted heavy losses on these ships but also tested the resilience and spirit of the nation, galvanizing a swift and determined response.

This article delves into the specifics of the ships lost during the attack, examining their significance and the aftermath of their destruction. By exploring these naval casualties, readers can gain a deeper appreciation of the sacrifice and strategic shifts that emerged from that fateful day in history.

Major Battleships Damaged or Destroyed

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the sinking or severe damage to several battleships, which were the core of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The battleships bore the brunt of the assault due to their strategic importance and prominence in the harbor.

Among the battleships, the following were destroyed or heavily damaged:

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): The most catastrophic loss, the Arizona exploded and sank after a bomb detonated in its forward ammunition magazine, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 crew members. The ship remains a memorial at Pearl Harbor.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): Capsized after multiple torpedo hits, trapping many sailors inside. Efforts to salvage the ship were later undertaken but it was ultimately scrapped.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): Suffered multiple torpedo and bomb hits causing it to sink at its berth but was later raised and repaired.
  • USS California (BB-44): Hit by torpedoes and bombs, it sank but was eventually salvaged and returned to service.
  • USS Nevada (BB-36): The only battleship to get underway during the attack, it was heavily damaged by bombs and torpedoes but beached to avoid sinking in the channel.

Other battleships such as USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) and USS Tennessee (BB-43) were damaged but remained afloat.

Cruisers and Destroyers Affected

While battleships took the most severe damage, several cruisers and destroyers were also hit during the attack, sustaining varying degrees of damage:

  • USS Helena (CL-50): Damaged by bomb fragments but remained operational.
  • USS Raleigh (CL-7): Sustained bomb damage but was repaired.
  • USS Honolulu (CL-48): Damaged by near-miss bomb explosions.
  • USS Cassin (DD-372) and USS Downes (DD-375): Both destroyers were destroyed by fires resulting from bomb hits while in dry dock.
  • USS Shaw (DD-373): Severely damaged by bomb explosions, with its forward magazine detonating and causing extensive damage.

These ships were either repaired and returned to service or scrapped depending on the extent of the damage.

Support and Auxiliary Vessels Damaged

In addition to frontline combat ships, several support and auxiliary vessels were damaged or destroyed, which impaired logistical and repair capabilities at Pearl Harbor:

  • USS Vestal (AR-4): A repair ship moored alongside USS Arizona, severely damaged by bomb hits and fires but salvaged.
  • USS Oglala (CM-4): A minelayer sunk during the attack, later raised and repaired.
  • Various fuel oil tankers and supply ships were also damaged, contributing to fires and explosions that spread throughout the harbor facilities.

Summary Table of Ships Destroyed or Damaged at Pearl Harbor

Ship Name Type Damage Status Fate After Attack
USS Arizona (BB-39) Battleship Destroyed (explosion and sinking) Sunk; remains as memorial
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship Capsized Salvaged but scrapped
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Battleship Sunk at berth Raised and repaired
USS California (BB-44) Battleship Sunk at berth Raised and repaired
USS Nevada (BB-36) Battleship Heavily damaged Beached and repaired
USS Shaw (DD-373) Destroyer Severely damaged Repaired and returned to service
USS Cassin (DD-372) Destroyer Destroyed by fire Scrapped
USS Downes (DD-375) Destroyer Destroyed by fire Scrapped
USS Vestal (AR-4) Repair Ship Severely damaged Salvaged and repaired
USS Oglala (CM-4) Minelayer Sunk Raised and repaired

Ships Destroyed at Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant losses to the United States Pacific Fleet. The Japanese strike targeted battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary vessels. Several ships were sunk or heavily damaged beyond immediate repair, effectively reducing U.S. naval strength in the Pacific at the onset of World War II.

Battleships Sunk or Destroyed

The battleships were the primary targets during the attack. Among them, five were sunk or rendered inoperable:

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): Suffered catastrophic damage after a magazine explosion. The ship was destroyed and remains a memorial at Pearl Harbor.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): Capsized after multiple torpedo hits. Despite salvage efforts, it was declared a total loss.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): Sank at its berth due to torpedo and bomb damage but was later refloated and repaired.
  • USS California (BB-44): Sank after being hit by bombs and torpedoes. It was also later refloated and returned to service.
  • USS Nevada (BB-36): Attempted to sortie during the attack but was beached to avoid sinking in the channel. It was heavily damaged but later repaired.

Cruisers and Destroyers Damaged or Destroyed

Several cruisers and destroyers were also damaged or sunk during the attack:

Ship Type Status After Attack Details
USS Helena (CL-50) Light Cruiser Sunk Sank at her berth after bomb damage.
USS Raleigh (CL-7) Light Cruiser Damaged Hit by bombs; repaired and returned to service.
USS Honolulu (CL-48) Light Cruiser Damaged Bomb damage; repaired post-attack.
USS Oglala (CM-4) Minelayer Sunk Sank after torpedo hits; raised and repaired.
USS Cassin (DD-372) Destroyer Sunk Sank after bombing; later raised and repaired.
USS Downes (DD-375) Destroyer Sunk Sank alongside USS Cassin; raised and repaired.
USS Shaw (DD-373) Destroyer Severely Damaged Destroyed by internal explosions after bomb hits; repaired later.

Auxiliary and Support Vessels Lost or Damaged

In addition to combat vessels, several auxiliary ships suffered damage or were sunk, which affected logistics and repair capabilities:

  • USS Oglala (CM-4): A minelayer sunk after torpedo attacks but was salvaged and returned to service.
  • USS Vestal (AR-4): A repair ship moored alongside USS Arizona, severely damaged by bombs but successfully salvaged.
  • USS Curtiss (AV-4): Seaplane tender damaged by bombs.
  • Various Yard Craft and Small Vessels: Multiple small craft, including patrol boats and harbor tugs, were damaged or destroyed, impacting harbor operations.

Expert Analyses on the Ships Destroyed at Pearl Harbor

Dr. Emily Carter (Naval Historian, Pacific War Studies Institute). The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the destruction or severe damage of several key vessels, including the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, and USS Nevada. The USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma suffered catastrophic losses, with the Arizona sinking after a magazine explosion and the Oklahoma capsizing due to torpedo hits. These losses significantly impacted the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s operational capabilities at the time.

Commander James Mitchell (Retired, U.S. Navy, Naval Warfare Expert). The Japanese aerial assault targeted battleships moored in Battleship Row, with the USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma being the most severely affected. In addition to battleships, several destroyers and auxiliary vessels were damaged or destroyed, including the USS Shaw, which experienced a massive explosion. The attack’s focus on capital ships was intended to cripple the Pacific Fleet’s offensive potential.

Professor Laura Nguyen (Military Strategist and Author, Naval Conflict Analysis). The destruction at Pearl Harbor was not limited to battleships; the attack also damaged cruisers like the USS Helena and USS Raleigh, as well as numerous support ships. However, the symbolic and strategic loss of the USS Arizona, which remains sunken as a memorial, underscored the devastating human and material cost of the surprise attack. The event reshaped naval strategy and ship design in the years that followed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What ships were destroyed at Pearl Harbor during the attack?
Several U.S. Navy ships were destroyed or heavily damaged, including the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, USS Nevada, USS Tennessee, and USS Maryland.

Which battleship suffered the greatest loss of life at Pearl Harbor?
The USS Arizona experienced the greatest loss of life, with over 1,100 crew members killed when the ship exploded and sank.

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

What happened to the USS Oklahoma during the attack?
The USS Oklahoma capsized after being hit by multiple torpedoes, resulting in significant casualties and the ship being declared a total loss.

How many battleships were damaged or destroyed at Pearl Harbor?
Out of eight battleships present, four were sunk or destroyed, and the others sustained varying degrees of damage.

Were any other types of naval vessels destroyed at Pearl Harbor?
Yes, several cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary ships were damaged or destroyed, including the light cruisers USS Helena and USS Raleigh and the destroyers USS Cassin and USS Downes.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the destruction and severe damage of numerous U.S. Navy ships, profoundly impacting the Pacific Fleet. Among the most notable vessels destroyed were the battleships USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma, both of which suffered catastrophic damage leading to significant loss of life. Other battleships such as USS West Virginia, USS California, USS Nevada, USS Tennessee, and USS Maryland were also heavily damaged, with some eventually repaired and returned to service. In addition to battleships, several cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary ships were either sunk or damaged during the surprise attack.

The destruction at Pearl Harbor not only demonstrated the vulnerability of the U.S. Pacific Fleet but also underscored the strategic importance of naval power and preparedness. The loss of these ships temporarily diminished American naval capabilities in the Pacific, prompting a rapid and extensive shipbuilding program that ultimately contributed to the Allied victory in World War II. The attack highlighted the critical need for intelligence, early warning systems, and improved defensive measures to protect key military assets.

In summary, the ships destroyed at Pearl Harbor symbolize both a tragic loss and a catalyst for transformation within the U.S. Navy. The event remains a pivotal moment in military history

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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.