Which Ships Were Lost During the Attack on Pearl Harbor?

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’ dramatic 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, resulting in significant destruction and loss. Among the many aspects that continue to captivate historians and enthusiasts alike is the fate of the ships caught in the assault—vessels that bore the brunt of the attack and symbolized both vulnerability and resilience.

Understanding which ships were lost at Pearl Harbor offers a window into the scale and impact of the attack. These warships, ranging from battleships to destroyers, played crucial roles in the Pacific theater and their damage or destruction had far-reaching consequences. The story of these ships is not just about metal and machinery but also about the men who served aboard them and the strategic shifts that followed.

As we delve deeper into the details, we will explore the types of ships affected, the extent of the damage sustained, and how these losses shaped the course of the war. This overview sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of the naval vessels lost at Pearl Harbor, illuminating a critical chapter in naval and world history.

Ships Lost at Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant losses to the United States Pacific Fleet. Several battleships, destroyers, and other vessels were either sunk or severely damaged beyond immediate repair. The attack was a devastating blow to the U.S. Navy, with the loss of ships impacting naval capabilities in the Pacific for months. Below is a detailed overview of the major ships lost during the attack.

The battleships bore the brunt of the assault, with five battleships sunk or heavily damaged. These ships were moored in Battleship Row, making them prime targets for the Japanese aircraft. The loss or incapacitation of these vessels marked one of the largest single-day naval losses in American history.

Battleships Lost or Sunk

The following battleships were either sunk at their moorings or suffered catastrophic damage:

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): The Arizona suffered a direct hit to her forward ammunition magazine, causing a massive explosion that broke the ship apart and led to the deaths of 1,177 crew members. The ship remains a sunken memorial in Pearl Harbor.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): Struck by multiple torpedoes, the Oklahoma capsized quickly. Nearly half of the crew were trapped and lost inside the ship.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): Hit by torpedoes and bombs, she sank to the harbor bottom but was later raised and repaired.
  • USS California (BB-44): Also torpedoed and bombed, the California sank but was raised and returned to service after extensive repairs.
  • USS Nevada (BB-36): The Nevada attempted to sortie during the attack but was heavily damaged by bombs and torpedoes. Unlike the others, she was beached to prevent sinking in the channel.

Other Vessels Lost or Damaged

Besides the battleships, several other vessels were lost or damaged:

  • USS Cassin (DD-372) and USS Downes (DD-375): Both destroyers were severely damaged by bombs and caught fire; they were later scrapped.
  • USS Shaw (DD-373): Suffered a massive explosion in the forward magazine and was heavily damaged.
  • USS Helena (CL-50): Light cruiser damaged by bombs but repaired and returned to service.
  • Various auxiliary ships and support vessels were also damaged or destroyed.

Summary Table of Major Ship Losses at Pearl Harbor

Ship Name Type Status After Attack Casualties Fate
USS Arizona (BB-39) Battleship Sunk (Magazine Explosion) 1,177 KIA Remains sunken as memorial
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship Capsized 429 KIA Later salvaged, scrapped in 1947
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Battleship Sunk but raised 106 KIA Repaired, returned to service
USS California (BB-44) Battleship Sunk but raised 100 KIA Repaired, returned to service
USS Nevada (BB-36) Battleship Beached after damage 60 KIA Repaired, returned to service
USS Cassin (DD-372) Destroyer Severely damaged 33 KIA Scrapped after repair
USS Downes (DD-375) Destroyer Severely damaged 29 KIA Scrapped after repair
USS Shaw (DD-373) Destroyer Heavily damaged (Magazine Explosion) 18 KIA Repaired and returned to service

Impact of the Losses on Naval Operations

The sinking and damage of these ships significantly reduced the combat effectiveness of the Pacific Fleet. Although battleships were the centerpiece of naval power at the time, many of the damaged vessels were later repaired and modernized, contributing to the U.S. Navy’s resurgence in the Pacific War.

The loss also accelerated the shift towards aircraft carriers as the dominant naval force, as the carriers present at Pearl Harbor were not in port during the attack and thus escaped damage. This shift influenced naval strategy for the remainder of World War II.

Memorials and Preservation

Several of the ships

Ships Lost at Pearl Harbor

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant losses to the United States Pacific Fleet. Several major warships were sunk or severely damaged beyond repair during the assault. These losses had profound strategic and operational impacts on the U.S. Navy’s capabilities in the Pacific theater.

Battleships Lost or Damaged Beyond Repair

Battleships were the primary targets during the attack, and several were either sunk at their berths or damaged so extensively they were never returned to active service.

Ship Name Class Condition Post-Attack Fate
USS Arizona (BB-39) Colorado-class Sunk with heavy casualties Remains a memorial at Pearl Harbor
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Nevada-class Capsized and sunk Raised but deemed too damaged; scrapped
USS Utah (AG-16) Former battleship, converted to target ship Sunk Remains sunk at Pearl Harbor
USS California (BB-44) Colorado-class Sunk at berth Salvaged, repaired, and returned to service
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Colorado-class Sunk at berth Raised, repaired, and returned to service
USS Nevada (BB-36) Nevada-class Damaged but escaped sinking Repaired and returned to service

Other Warships Lost or Damaged

Aside from battleships, other classes of vessels were also affected by the attack:

  • Cruisers: The USS Helena (CL-50) was damaged but quickly repaired. The USS Raleigh (CL-7) was also damaged but returned to service.
  • Destroyers: Several destroyers, including USS Cassin (DD-372) and USS Downes (DD-375), were severely damaged by bombs and fires but later salvaged and repaired.
  • Auxiliary Ships: Various support and auxiliary vessels suffered damage or were sunk, including repair ships, oilers, and submarines docked at Pearl Harbor.

Summary of Losses by Ship Type

Ship Type Number Lost or Sunk Number Damaged Beyond Repair Number Salvaged and Returned
Battleships 3 (Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah) 0 3 (California, West Virginia, Nevada)
Cruisers 0 0 Damaged but repaired (not lost)
Destroyers 0 0 Damaged but repaired
Auxiliary Ships Several sunk or damaged Varied Some salvaged

Details on Key Losses

USS Arizona (BB-39): The Arizona suffered a catastrophic explosion when a bomb detonated in a forward magazine, resulting in the loss of 1,177 crewmen. The ship sank rapidly and remains submerged at Pearl Harbor, serving as a powerful symbol of the attack.

USS Oklahoma (BB-37): Struck by multiple torpedoes, the Oklahoma capsized and trapped hundreds of sailors inside. Though later raised, the damage was too severe for repair, and the ship was scrapped.

USS Utah (AG-16): Initially a battleship, the Utah had been converted to a target ship. It was torpedoed and sank quickly, resulting in heavy loss of life.

USS California (BB-44) and USS West Virginia (BB-48): Both battleships were sunk at their berths but were subsequently raised, repaired, and modernized, returning to active duty during World War II.

USS Nevada (BB-36): The only battleship to get underway during the attack, Nevada was damaged but managed to beach itself to avoid sinking in the channel. It was later salvaged and repaired.

Expert Analyses on the Ships Lost at Pearl Harbor

Dr. Helen Matsuda (Naval Historian, Pacific War Studies Institute). The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the loss of several key U.S. Navy vessels, most notably the battleships USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma, which suffered catastrophic damage leading to their sinking. These losses significantly impacted the Pacific Fleet’s battleship strength and underscored the vulnerability of battleships to aerial assault.

Captain James Reynolds (Retired U.S. Navy Officer and Military Analyst). Among the ships lost, the USS Utah and USS West Virginia were also sunk during the attack, though Utah was later reclassified as a target ship and never returned to active combat. The damage to these vessels highlighted the need for improved anti-aircraft defenses and damage control protocols in naval operations.

Professor Laura Chen (Maritime Warfare Expert, Naval Defense University). The Pearl Harbor attack demonstrated the devastating effect of surprise air strikes on anchored fleets. The loss of battleships such as the USS California and USS Nevada, which were heavily damaged and temporarily out of commission, reflected the strategic shift from battleship dominance to carrier-based naval power in subsequent years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What ships were lost at Pearl Harbor during the attack?
Several U.S. Navy ships were lost or severely damaged at Pearl Harbor, including the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, USS Nevada, USS Utah, and USS Pennsylvania.

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

Were any aircraft carriers lost at Pearl Harbor?
No aircraft carriers were lost during the attack; the USS Enterprise, USS Lexington, and USS Saratoga were not in port at the time and thus avoided damage.

What happened to the USS Oklahoma during the attack?
The USS Oklahoma capsized after being hit by multiple torpedoes, resulting in significant loss of life. The ship was later righted but never returned to active service.

How many ships were sunk or damaged beyond repair at Pearl Harbor?
Four battleships—USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS Utah, and USS California—were sunk or damaged beyond repair during the attack.

Were any ships repaired and returned to service after Pearl Harbor?
Yes, several battleships, including USS West Virginia, USS Nevada, and USS Pennsylvania, were repaired and returned to active duty later in World War II.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the loss and severe damage of numerous U.S. Navy ships, marking a pivotal moment in World War II. Among the most significant losses were the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, USS Nevada, USS Tennessee, and USS Maryland. The USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma suffered catastrophic damage, with the Arizona sinking after a massive explosion and the Oklahoma capsizing. Several other vessels, including cruisers and destroyers, were also damaged or sunk during the attack.

These losses had a profound impact on the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s operational capabilities at the time, emphasizing the vulnerability of battleships to air assault and highlighting the strategic shift toward aircraft carrier dominance in naval warfare. Despite the heavy damage, many ships were later salvaged, repaired, and returned to service, demonstrating the resilience and determination of the U.S. Navy during the war.

Understanding the specific ships lost at Pearl Harbor provides valuable insight into the scale and consequences of the attack. It underscores the importance of preparedness and intelligence in military defense, as well as the enduring legacy of those who served and sacrificed during this critical event in 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.