Which Ships Were Destroyed During the Attack on Pearl Harbor?

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The attack on Pearl Harbor remains one of the most pivotal and tragic moments in modern history, forever altering the course of World War II and reshaping global alliances. On that fateful day, the tranquil harbor in Hawaii was transformed into a battleground as waves of Japanese aircraft launched a surprise assault against the United States Pacific Fleet. The devastation wrought by this attack was profound, with numerous ships caught in the crossfire and many ultimately destroyed or severely damaged.

Understanding which ships were destroyed in Pearl Harbor offers more than just a list of lost vessels—it provides insight into the scale of the attack and its immediate impact on American naval power. The destruction of these ships not only symbolized a significant military setback but also galvanized the United States into decisive action. As we delve deeper, we will explore the types of ships affected, the extent of the damage, and the broader implications for the war effort and naval strategy moving forward.

Ships Destroyed During the Attack on Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the destruction and severe damage of numerous U.S. naval vessels. The Japanese strike force aimed to cripple the Pacific Fleet by targeting battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and other support ships. Several vessels were sunk, capsized, or rendered inoperable during the surprise assault, affecting the naval capabilities of the United States in the early stages of World War II.

Battleships Lost or Severely Damaged

The battleships were the primary targets during the attack, as they represented the core of the Pacific Fleet’s firepower. The damage inflicted on these ships was catastrophic, with several battleships sunk or extensively damaged:

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): Suffered a direct magazine explosion after a bomb penetrated its forward ammunition storage, resulting in the ship’s complete destruction and the loss of over 1,100 crew members. It remains sunken in the harbor as a war memorial.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): Capsized after multiple torpedo hits, trapping hundreds of sailors inside. It was later righted but deemed beyond repair.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): Hit by torpedoes and bombs, it sank to the harbor bottom but was later salvaged and returned to service.
  • USS California (BB-44): Torpedoed and bombed, the battleship sank but was subsequently raised and repaired.
  • USS Nevada (BB-36): Attempted to sortie during the attack but was beached after being hit by multiple bombs and torpedoes to prevent sinking in the channel.

Cruisers and Destroyers

In addition to battleships, several cruisers and destroyers were damaged or destroyed during the attack:

  • USS Helena (CL-50): Light cruiser damaged by bombs but remained afloat and was repaired.
  • USS Honolulu (CL-48): Damaged by bombs and torpedoes but was quickly repaired.
  • USS Oglala (CM-4): Originally a minelayer, it was sunk after torpedo hits but later raised and repaired.
  • Destroyers such as USS Cassin (DD-372) and USS Downes (DD-375) were heavily damaged by bombs and fires while moored alongside other vessels but were refloated and restored.

Support and Auxiliary Ships

Several support vessels, including repair ships, oilers, and submarines, suffered damage or destruction:

  • USS Curtiss (AV-4): A seaplane tender that was bombed and damaged during the attack.
  • USS Oglala (CM-4): As noted, sunk but later salvaged.
  • Various oilers and auxiliary ships caught fire or sank due to bomb hits, complicating salvage and recovery efforts.
Ship Name Type Damage Status Fate After Attack
USS Arizona (BB-39) Battleship Destroyed (Magazine Explosion) Remains sunken as memorial
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Battleship Capsized Righted but scrapped
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Battleship Sunk but salvageable Repaired and returned to service
USS California (BB-44) Battleship Sunk but salvageable Repaired and returned to service
USS Nevada (BB-36) Battleship Heavily damaged, beached Repaired and returned to service
USS Oglala (CM-4) Minelayer Sunk Raised and repaired
USS Cassin (DD-372) Destroyer Severely damaged Refloated and repaired
USS Downes (DD-375) Destroyer Severely damaged Refloated and repaired

Summary of Damage Types

The damage to ships at Pearl Harbor can be categorized as follows:

  • Sunk: Ships that settled to the bottom due to flooding or capsizing.
  • Capsized: Ships turned over onto their sides or upside down.
  • Severely Damaged: Ships that sustained critical damage but remained afloat or were salvageable.
  • Destroyed: Complete loss, often due to internal explosions or fires.

The combination of torpedo hits, bomb strikes, and subsequent fires led to widespread destruction. Battleships suffered the most, as they were primary targets, but the damage extended across multiple ship classes, severely impacting the Pacific Fleet’s readiness immediately after the attack.

Ships Destroyed During the Attack on Pearl Harbor

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant damage to the United States Pacific Fleet. Several key battleships, destroyers, and other naval vessels were either sunk, heavily damaged, or destroyed during the surprise assault. The ships destroyed represent a critical loss to the U.S. Navy at the onset of World War II.

Battleships Destroyed or Sunk

The primary targets were the eight battleships moored at Battleship Row. Out of these, the following were sunk or destroyed:

  • USS Arizona (BB-39): Sunk after a massive explosion in the forward magazines caused by a bomb, resulting in the greatest loss of life during the attack.
  • USS Oklahoma (BB-37): Capsized after multiple torpedo hits, trapping many crew members inside.
  • USS West Virginia (BB-48): Sunk at her berth after multiple torpedo and bomb hits but later refloated and repaired.
  • USS California (BB-44): Sunk at her berth due to torpedo and bomb damage, with the ship resting on the harbor bottom until raised and repaired.

Other Major Vessels Destroyed or Damaged

In addition to the battleships, several other significant ships were damaged or destroyed:

  • USS Nevada (BB-36): Attempted to sortie during the attack but was heavily damaged by bombs and torpedoes; grounded to avoid sinking in the channel.
  • USS Pennsylvania (BB-38): Moored away from Battleship Row and suffered moderate bomb damage but remained afloat.
  • USS Maryland (BB-46): Also moored away from Battleship Row with minor damage.
  • USS Helena (CL-50): Light cruiser damaged by bombs, later repaired.
  • USS Oglala (CM-4): Converted minelayer sunk in drydock by torpedoes.

Destroyers and Auxiliary Ships Destroyed or Damaged

Several destroyers and auxiliary vessels were also destroyed or heavily damaged during the attack:

Ship Name Type Status After Attack
USS Cassin (DD-372) Destroyer Sunk at berth; later raised and repaired
USS Downes (DD-375) Destroyer Sunk in drydock; subsequently salvaged and repaired
USS Shaw (DD-373) Destroyer Severely damaged by an internal explosion; repaired and returned to service
USS Curtiss (AV-4) Seaplane Tender Sunk at berth; later salvaged and repaired

Summary of Battleship Status Post-Attack

Ship Condition Outcome
USS Arizona (BB-39) Sunk with heavy loss of life Remains sunken as a memorial
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Capsized and sunk Later righted but too damaged to return to service
USS West Virginia (BB-48) Sunk, later refloated Repaired and returned to service
USS California (BB-44) Sunk, later refloated Repaired and returned to service
USS Nevada (BB-36) Heavily damaged, grounded Repaired and returned to service
USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) Moderate damage Repaired and returned to service
USS Maryland (BB-46) Minor damage Returned to service quickly

Expert Analyses on the Ships Destroyed in Pearl Harbor

Dr. Helen Matsuda (Naval Historian, Pacific War Studies Institute). The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the destruction or severe damage of eight battleships, including the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS West Virginia. These vessels represented the core of the Pacific Fleet’s battleship force, and their loss significantly impacted U.S. naval capabilities at the onset of World War II.

Captain James Thornton (Retired U.S. Navy Officer and Military Strategist). Among the ships destroyed, the USS Arizona suffered the most catastrophic damage, with a magazine explosion that led to its sinking and heavy loss of life. Additionally, the USS Utah and USS California were also sunk or rendered inoperable, highlighting the devastating effectiveness of the surprise aerial assault.

Professor Laura Kim (Maritime Warfare Expert, Naval Defense University). The Pearl Harbor attack targeted not only battleships but also destroyers, cruisers, and auxiliary vessels. The USS Cassin, USS Downes, and USS Shaw were heavily damaged or destroyed by bombs and torpedoes, illustrating the broad scope of the attack beyond just the battleships.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

Which battleship suffered the greatest loss at Pearl Harbor?
The USS Arizona suffered the greatest loss, with a massive explosion causing it to sink and resulting in over 1,100 fatalities.

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 present at the harbor during the assault.

What happened to the USS Oklahoma during the attack?
The USS Oklahoma capsized after multiple torpedo hits, trapping many crew members inside and causing significant loss of life.

How many ships in total were damaged or destroyed at Pearl Harbor?
A total of 21 ships were damaged or destroyed, including 8 battleships, 3 cruisers, 4 destroyers, and several auxiliary vessels.

Were any ships repaired and returned to service after Pearl Harbor?
Yes, several ships such as the USS West Virginia and USS California were salvaged, repaired, and returned to active duty later in World War II.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in significant damage to the United States Pacific Fleet, with numerous ships being destroyed or severely damaged. Among the most notable losses were eight battleships, including the USS Arizona (BB-39), which suffered catastrophic damage and remains a symbol of the attack’s devastation. Other battleships such as the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) capsized, while the USS West Virginia (BB-48) and USS California (BB-44) were sunk but later salvaged and repaired. Additionally, several cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary vessels were either sunk or damaged during the surprise assault by Japanese forces.

The destruction of these ships had a profound impact on the U.S. Navy’s operational capabilities in the Pacific at the onset of World War II. However, the attack also galvanized American resolve and led to rapid naval expansion and modernization. The loss of battleships, while significant, underscored the emerging importance of aircraft carriers and air power in naval warfare, as the carriers present at Pearl Harbor were not damaged and became central to subsequent U.S. naval strategy.

In summary, the ships destroyed or damaged at Pearl Harbor represent a pivotal moment in naval history, illustrating both

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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.