On 7 December 1941, USS Maryland (BB-46) was moored inboard of USS Oklahoma (BB-37), and was thus protected by her when Japanese torpedo planes struck. The unfortunate Oklahoma, an older ship with much less adequate protection against underwater damage, was hit by up to nine torpedoes. Her hull's port side was opened almost completely from below the forward gun turret back to the third turret, a distance of over 250 feet. She listed quickly, her port bilge struck the harbor bottom, and she then rolled almost completely over. Oklahoma came to rest less than twenty minutes after she was first hit. Some of her starboard underwater hull and the starboard propeller were now all that showed above the surface of Pearl Harbor.
Some of Oklahoma's men were still alive inside her upturned hull, and their rescue became the focus of an intense effort over the next two days. Thirty-two Sailors were recovered alive, but over four-hundred were killed. In 1943, the capsized ship was rolled upright and raised in one of the salvage profession's greatest undertakings, but she was not further repaired.
Maryland was hit by two bombs, which caused relatively light damage and some flooding forward. Four of her men lost their lives. The battleship was able to steam to the west coast for final repairs later in December and was fully returned to service in February 1942.
This page features views of USS Oklahoma and USS Maryland on 7 December 1941 and during the following days.
For pictures and information on USS Oklahoma officers
and men who were cited for heroism during the Pearl Harbor attack,
or who were honored posthumously by having a ship named for them,
see:
For further images of the "Battleship Row" area
during and shortly after the Japanese raid, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: 80-G-19949 Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941 USS Maryland (BB-46) alongside the capsized USS Oklahoma (BB-37). USS West Virginia (BB-48) is burning in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 83065 Pearl Harbor Raid, 7 December 1941 USS Maryland at berth F-5, with men working on the capsized hull of USS Oklahoma alongside, during or immediately after the Japanese attack. USS Tennessee (BB-43) is visible in the left background. Collection of Vice Admiral Homer N. Wallin, USN(Retired), 1975. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-19941 Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941 Rescue teams at work on the capsized hull of USS Oklahoma (BB-37), seeking crew members trapped inside, 7 December 1941. The starboard bilge keel is visible at the top of the upturned hull. Officers' Motor Boats from Oklahoma and USS Argonne (AG-31) are in the foreground. USS Maryland (BB-46) is in the background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-32453 Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941 The capsized hull of USS Oklahoma (BB-37), with a barge alongside to support rescue efforts, probably on 8 December 1941. USS Maryland (BB-46) is at right, and USS California (BB-44) is in the center distance. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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For pictures and information on USS Oklahoma officers
and men who were cited for heroism during the Pearl Harbor attack,
or who were honored posthumously by having a ship named for them,
see:
For further images of the "Battleship Row" area
during and shortly after the Japanese raid, see:
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 22 October 2000
Coding updated 21 April 2009