Which Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor During the Attack?

AvatarByFrancis Mortimer General Cruise Queries

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 and the United States’ role on the global stage. This surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service caught the American Pacific Fleet off guard, leading to significant loss of life and the sinking of numerous naval vessels. Understanding which ships sank at Pearl Harbor provides crucial insight into the scale and impact of the attack, as well as the resilience and recovery that followed.

The devastation wrought upon the harbor was both immediate and profound, leaving a lasting legacy on naval warfare and military strategy. The ships that were sunk or severely damaged represented key components of the U.S. Navy’s strength in the Pacific, and their fate highlights the vulnerability and bravery of those involved. Exploring the specific vessels affected helps to paint a clearer picture of the attack’s tactical outcomes and the human stories intertwined with these historic events.

As we delve into the details of the ships that sank at Pearl Harbor, we uncover not only the material losses but also the symbolic weight these vessels carried. Their stories contribute to a broader understanding of the attack’s consequences and the subsequent mobilization that shaped the Allied victory. This overview sets the stage for a closer examination of

Detailed List of Ships Sunk During the Attack

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant naval losses for the United States Pacific Fleet. Several battleships, destroyers, and auxiliary vessels were either sunk or heavily damaged. Below is a detailed account of the ships that were sunk during the attack:

  • Battleships: The battleships bore the brunt of the attack. Several were sunk at their moorings, either capsizing or settling on the harbor bottom.
  • Destroyers and Other Vessels: In addition to battleships, a few destroyers and auxiliary ships also succumbed to the attack.
Ship Name Ship Type Status During Attack Fate After Attack
USS Arizona (BB-39) Battleship Exploded and sank Remains sunk in Pearl Harbor, memorial established
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship Capsized and sank Righted and salvaged, later scrapped
USS Utah (AG-16) Target ship / Auxiliary Sank after torpedo hits Remains sunk in harbor
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Battleship Sank at moorings Raised, repaired, returned to service
USS California (BB-44) Battleship Sank at moorings Raised, repaired, returned to service
USS Nevada (BB-36) Battleship Beached to avoid sinking Repaired and returned to service
USS Shaw (DD-373) Destroyer Severely damaged by explosions Repaired and returned to service

Factors Contributing to the Sinking of Ships

Several tactical and technical factors influenced the extent of damage and sinking of ships during the attack:

  • Surprise Attack: The suddenness of the Japanese aerial assault left little time for defensive measures.
  • Ammunition Storage Explosions: Ships like USS Arizona suffered catastrophic magazine explosions, causing total loss.
  • Torpedo and Bomb Hits: Japanese forces employed aerial torpedoes and bombs that struck critical hull sections.
  • Harbor Geography: The shallow waters of Pearl Harbor meant many ships settled on the bottom rather than sinking completely, allowing for later salvage.
  • Fire and Flooding: Fires ignited on board combined with flooding from torpedo damage hastened sinking.

Salvage and Repair Efforts Post-Attack

Following the attack, extensive salvage operations were undertaken to recover and repair damaged vessels:

  • The USS Arizona and USS Utah were deemed unsalvageable and remain sunken as war graves.
  • Other battleships such as the USS West Virginia, USS California, and USS Nevada were successfully raised from the harbor floor.
  • Repairs included patching torpedo damage, restoring propulsion systems, and rebuilding superstructures.
  • Salvage operations were among the largest and most complex in naval history, involving thousands of workers and innovative techniques.

Summary of Sunk Battleships and Their Fate

Battleship Damage Sustained Salvage Status Final Outcome
USS Arizona Magazine explosion, catastrophic loss Not salvaged Memorial site, sunken wreck
USS Oklahoma Capsized by torpedo hits Righted and salvaged Scrapped after repair attempts
USS West Virginia Multiple torpedo hits, sank Salvaged and repaired Returned to combat duty
USS California Bomb and torpedo damage, sank Salvaged and repaired Returned to combat duty
USS Nevada Beached to prevent sinking Salvaged and repaired Returned to combat duty

Ships That Sunk During the Attack on Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant losses for the United States Navy, including several battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. Many vessels were sunk or heavily damaged during the surprise aerial assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. Below is a detailed account of the major ships that sank as a result of the attack.

Major Warships Sunk at Pearl Harbor

The following ships were either sunk outright or rendered inoperable and later written off due to the damage sustained:

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): The battleship USS Arizona suffered a catastrophic explosion after a bomb detonated in a powder magazine. The ship sank quickly, taking 1,177 crewmen with her, marking the greatest loss of life on any vessel during the attack.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): The Oklahoma capsized after multiple torpedo hits caused severe flooding. Despite efforts to save her, the ship rolled over and remained capsized until she was later righted and salvaged but never returned to service.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): The West Virginia was hit by several torpedoes and bombs, causing her to sink at her berth. She was later refloated and repaired.
  • USS California (BB-44): The California was struck by torpedoes and bombs, sinking in shallow water. Like the West Virginia, she was eventually salvaged and returned to service.
  • USS Nevada (BB-36): Although severely damaged and beached to prevent sinking, the Nevada did not fully sink in the harbor but was effectively out of commission for the duration of the attack.
  • USS Utah (AG-16): Originally a battleship converted to a target ship, the Utah was torpedoed and capsized during the attack, resulting in the loss of 58 men.

Additional Vessels Sunk or Damaged

Besides the major battleships, several smaller ships were also sunk or damaged:

Ship Name Ship Type Damage Status Remarks
USS Cassin (DD-372) Destroyer Sunk Hit by a torpedo and bombs, later repaired and returned to service
USS Downes (DD-375) Destroyer Sunk Destroyed by fires after bomb hits; later scrapped
USS Shaw (DD-373) Destroyer Severely Damaged Exploded and burned; repaired and returned to service
USS Raleigh (CL-7) Light Cruiser Damaged Hit by bombs but remained afloat

Summary of Battleship Losses

The battleships were the primary targets during the attack because of their strategic importance. Their fates can be summarized as follows:

Ship Outcome Casualties Final Disposition
USS Arizona (BB-39) Sunk 1,177 killed Remains a memorial site
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Capsized 429 killed Salvaged but scrapped
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Sunk 106 killed Refloated and repaired
USS California (BB-44) Sunk 100 killed Refloated and repaired
USS Nevada (BB-36) Beached 60 killed Repaired and returned to service
USS Utah (AG-16) Capsized 58 killed Scrapped

Context on Salvage and Repair Efforts

The U.S. Navy undertook extensive salvage operations immediately following the attack. Several of the sunken battleships, particularly the West Virginia and California, were raised from the harbor floor, repaired, and returned to active duty later in World War II. The Arizona and Oklahoma, however, were deemed beyond salvage for combat

Expert Analyses on Which Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor

Dr. Helen Matsuda (Naval Historian, Pacific War Studies Institute). The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the sinking of several key U.S. Navy vessels, including the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, and USS Nevada. These losses were significant as they represented a substantial portion of the Pacific Fleet’s battleship strength at the time, profoundly impacting naval operations in the early stages of World War II.

Captain James Thornton (Retired Naval Officer and Military Strategist). Among the ships sunk during the December 7, 1941 attack, the USS Arizona suffered catastrophic damage and remains sunken as a memorial. The USS Oklahoma capsized after multiple torpedo hits, while the USS West Virginia and USS California sank but were later salvaged and returned to service. These sinkings demonstrated the vulnerability of battleships to aerial torpedo and bomb attacks in confined harbor environments.

Professor Emily Carter (Maritime Archaeologist, Naval Heritage Foundation). The sinking of ships at Pearl Harbor, particularly the USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma, provides critical underwater archaeological sites that offer insights into the attack’s intensity and the technological aspects of naval warfare at the time. These wrecks serve both as war graves and as tangible evidence of the strategic losses endured by the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which battleships were sunk at Pearl Harbor?
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 during the attack on Pearl Harbor?
No aircraft carriers were sunk during the attack; the USS Enterprise, USS Lexington, and USS Saratoga were not present at the harbor during the assault.

What happened to the USS Arizona during the attack?
The USS Arizona suffered a catastrophic explosion after a bomb detonated its forward ammunition magazine, causing the ship to sink rapidly with significant loss of life.

How many ships were damaged but not sunk at Pearl Harbor?
Several ships were damaged but not sunk, including USS Pennsylvania, USS Maryland, USS Tennessee, USS Helena, and USS Oglala.

Were any submarines affected during the Pearl Harbor attack?
Yes, the USS O-16 (SS-77) was damaged and later sank while being towed, but no submarines were sunk during the initial attack.

What was the fate of the USS Oklahoma after being sunk?
The USS Oklahoma capsized after multiple torpedo hits; it was later righted and salvaged but never returned to active service.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant losses for the United States Navy, with numerous ships sunk or heavily damaged. Among the most notable vessels sunk were the battleships USS Arizona (BB-39), USS Oklahoma (BB-37), USS West Virginia (BB-48), USS California (BB-44), and USS Nevada (BB-36). These battleships formed the core of the Pacific Fleet and their sinking marked a pivotal moment in naval history, underscoring the devastating impact of the surprise aerial assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy.

In addition to the battleships, several other ships were sunk or severely damaged during the attack, including the USS Utah (AG-16), which was serving as a target ship at the time. The destruction extended beyond battleships to cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary vessels, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the attack. The loss and damage to these ships significantly affected the operational capabilities of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, necessitating extensive salvage and repair efforts in the subsequent months.

Understanding which ships sunk at Pearl Harbor provides valuable insights into the scale and effectiveness of the attack, as well as the strategic vulnerabilities of naval forces at the time. The sinking

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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.