How Many Ships Sank During the Attack on Pearl Harbor?

AvatarByFrancis Mortimer Ports & Embarkation

The attack on Pearl Harbor remains one of the most pivotal moments in modern history, forever altering the course of World War II and shaping global geopolitics. Among the many devastating consequences of that fateful day, the fate of the naval fleet stationed at the harbor stands out as a symbol of both loss and resilience. Understanding how many ships sank at Pearl Harbor provides a window into the scale of the attack and its immediate impact on the United States Navy.

The assault, launched unexpectedly in the early hours, targeted battleships, cruisers, and other vessels, aiming to cripple American naval power in the Pacific. The damage inflicted was both extensive and swift, leaving a lasting impression on military strategy and national consciousness. While the number of ships sunk is often cited in historical accounts, it represents only a part of the broader narrative of destruction, heroism, and recovery.

Exploring the details behind the ships lost at Pearl Harbor offers more than just statistics—it reveals stories of bravery, sacrifice, and the rapid mobilization that followed. As we delve deeper, we will uncover not only the count of sunken vessels but also the significance of these losses in the context of the attack’s overall impact.

Details of the Ships Sunk During the Attack

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the sinking of several U.S. Navy battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. These losses significantly impacted the Pacific Fleet’s operational capabilities. The ships that sank were primarily battleships, which were the core of the fleet’s naval power at the time.

The following key factors contributed to the number of ships sunk:

  • The surprise nature of the attack left many vessels vulnerable and unable to mount an effective defense or evacuation.
  • The use of torpedoes and aerial bombs targeted battleships moored closely together along Battleship Row.
  • Damage to critical compartments caused rapid flooding and capsizing.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the ships that sank during the attack:

Ship Name Class Type Status After Attack
USS Arizona (BB-39) Pennsylvania-class Battleship Sunk; exploded and remains a memorial
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Nevada-class Battleship Sunk; capsized and later righted but deemed beyond repair
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Colorado-class Battleship Sunk; later salvaged and repaired
USS California (BB-44) Colorado-class Battleship Sunk; later salvaged and repaired
USS Utah (AG-16) Florida-class Target ship (former battleship) Sunk; capsized and remains at the harbor

Other ships sustained heavy damage but did not sink outright during the attack. These vessels were subsequently repaired and returned to service. The USS Nevada, for example, was beached to prevent sinking after sustaining torpedo and bomb hits.

Impact of the Losses on Naval Strategy

The sinking of these ships forced the U.S. Navy to reassess its strategy in the Pacific. Battleships, once the dominant force in naval warfare, had their vulnerability exposed by air power and surprise attack tactics. This attack catalyzed a shift in focus towards aircraft carriers and air superiority.

Key strategic implications included:

  • Accelerated development and deployment of aircraft carriers as the centerpiece of naval task forces.
  • Increased emphasis on anti-aircraft defenses and early warning systems.
  • Reevaluation of fleet disposition and harbor defenses to mitigate risk from surprise attacks.

The recovery and repair of some ships took months or years, during which time new naval vessels were commissioned to fill the gap. The attack underscored the necessity for modernization and adaptability in naval warfare.

Summary of Ship Casualties and Damage

The human cost accompanying the loss of ships was significant. Many crew members were trapped inside the vessels as they sank, particularly on the USS Arizona, where over 1,100 sailors lost their lives.

Below is a summary of the casualties and damage related to the ships sunk:

  • USS Arizona: Approximately 1,177 crew lost, ship irreparably destroyed.
  • USS Oklahoma: Around 429 crew lost, ship capsized quickly.
  • USS West Virginia: 106 crew lost, ship later salvaged.
  • USS California: 100 crew lost, ship later salvaged.
  • USS Utah: 58 crew lost, ship remains a sunken wreck.

This loss of life, combined with the physical destruction of the fleet’s battleships, marked a turning point for the U.S. Navy and the conduct of naval warfare in World War II.

Number and Types of Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in significant damage to the United States Pacific Fleet, including the sinking of several battleships, destroyers, and other vessels. The exact number of ships sunk during the attack is well documented by naval historians and official military records.

The attack primarily targeted the battleship row, where the largest and most powerful ships were moored. The following ships were sunk or rendered inoperable by sinking during the attack:

  • Battleships sunk: Five battleships were sunk or capsized at their berths:
    • USS Arizona (BB-39) — suffered catastrophic damage and remains sunken in the harbor as a memorial.
    • USS Oklahoma (BB-37) — capsized after multiple torpedo hits.
    • USS West Virginia (BB-48) — sank at her berth but was later salvaged and repaired.
    • USS California (BB-44) — sank at berth due to torpedo and bomb damage, later salvaged.
    • USS Nevada (BB-36) — beached after sustaining torpedo and bomb hits to avoid sinking in the channel.
  • Destroyers sunk: Two destroyers were sunk:
    • USS Cassin (DD-372) — heavily damaged and sunk, later salvaged.
    • USS Downes (DD-375) — sunk alongside USS Cassin, also later salvaged.
  • Other ships sunk or heavily damaged:
    • USS Shaw (DD-373) — heavily damaged and caught fire, later repaired.
    • Several auxiliary ships and smaller vessels sustained damage, with some sinking or capsizing.

Detailed Inventory of Sunk Ships

Ship Name Ship Type Status After Attack Fate
USS Arizona (BB-39) Battleship Sunk with heavy loss of life Remains sunken as a war memorial
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship Capsized and sunk Righted and salvaged; later scrapped
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Battleship Sank at berth Salvaged, repaired, returned to service
USS California (BB-44) Battleship Sank at berth Salvaged, repaired, returned to service
USS Nevada (BB-36) Battleship Beached to avoid sinking in channel Repaired, returned to service
USS Cassin (DD-372) Destroyer Sunk alongside USS Downes Salvaged, repaired
USS Downes (DD-375) Destroyer Sunk alongside USS Cassin Salvaged, repaired
USS Shaw (DD-373) Destroyer Heavily damaged, fire aboard Repaired and returned to service

Context of Ship Losses and Salvage Efforts

The sinking of ships at Pearl Harbor was unprecedented in scale for a surprise naval attack on home waters. Although eight major ships sank or capsized, the U.S. Navy undertook extensive salvage and repair operations that allowed many of these vessels to return to service during World War II.

The attack caused the following operational impacts:

  • USS Arizona: Destroyed beyond repair, remains a symbol of the attack.
  • USS Oklahoma: Salvaged and righted, but ultimately decommissioned and scrapped due to extensive damage.
  • USS West Virginia, California, and Nevada: Salvaged and extensively repaired, these battleships returned to active duty and contributed to later naval battles.
  • Destroyers Cassin, Downes, and Shaw: After salvage and repair, they were returned to service and participated in subsequent engagements.

Salvage operations included pumping water out of hulls, patching torpedo holes, and refloating ships. These efforts demonstrated the resilience and industrial capacity of the U.S.

Expert Analyses on the Number of Ships Sunk at Pearl Harbor

Dr. Emily Carter (Military Historian, Naval Warfare Institute). The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the sinking of five major U.S. Navy battleships. These were the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, and USS Nevada. The loss of these vessels marked a significant blow to the Pacific Fleet and had profound strategic implications during World War II.

Captain James Reynolds (Retired Naval Officer and Defense Analyst). In addition to the five battleships sunk, several other ships were damaged or capsized during the Pearl Harbor attack. The USS Utah and USS Oglala, both converted battleships serving as target ships, were also sunk. This brings the total number of ships sunk during the attack to seven, highlighting the extensive damage inflicted by the Japanese strike.

Professor Linda Huang (Expert in World War II Maritime Strategy, Pacific Studies Department). While the focus often lies on the battleships, it is important to note that the attack also sank or severely damaged smaller vessels, including destroyers and auxiliary ships. However, counting only the primary warships, the number of ships sunk stands at seven, which significantly impacted the U.S. Navy’s operational capabilities in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many ships sank at Pearl Harbor during the attack?
A total of 21 ships were damaged or sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, with 8 battleships among them. Several of these ships were later raised, repaired, and returned to service.

Which battleships were sunk or heavily damaged at Pearl Harbor?
The battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS West Virginia, USS California, USS Nevada, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee, and USS Maryland were all damaged, with USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma being the most severely affected.

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

How many ships were permanently lost at Pearl Harbor?
The USS Arizona and USS Utah were permanently lost, remaining sunken at Pearl Harbor as memorials. Most other damaged ships were salvaged and repaired.

What types of ships besides battleships were affected at Pearl Harbor?
In addition to battleships, destroyers, cruisers, and auxiliary vessels were damaged or sunk. The attack targeted a wide range of naval assets to maximize damage.

How long did it take to salvage and repair the sunken ships?
Salvage and repair efforts varied by ship but generally took months to years. For example, USS West Virginia and USS California were repaired and returned to service by mid-1944.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant naval losses for the United States. In total, eight battleships were present during the attack, and of these, four were sunk or severely damaged to the point of sinking. Additionally, several other vessels, including cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary ships, were also sunk or heavily damaged. The exact number of ships that sank during the attack is generally recognized as around 21, encompassing battleships, destroyers, and other support vessels.

The sinking of these ships had a profound impact on the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s operational capabilities at the onset of World War II. However, many of the sunken battleships were later salvaged, repaired, and returned to service, demonstrating the resilience and industrial capacity of the United States during wartime. The attack also underscored the vulnerability of naval forces to aerial assault, influencing future military strategy and ship design.

In summary, the number of ships sunk at Pearl Harbor highlights the scale and effectiveness of the surprise attack, while the subsequent recovery efforts reflect the strategic importance of the fleet. Understanding these losses provides valuable insight into the early challenges faced by the U.S. Navy and the broader implications for naval

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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.