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Photo # 80-G-19941: Rescue teams at work on the capsized hull of USS Oklahoma, soon after the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific --

Pearl Harbor Raid, 7 December 1941 --
USS Oklahoma and USS Maryland during the Pearl Harbor Attack

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:

  • Ensign John Charles England, USNR,
  • Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, USNR; and
  • Seaman First Class James Richard Ward, USN.

    For further images of the "Battleship Row" area during and shortly after the Japanese raid, see:

  • "Battleship Row" during the Pearl Harbor Attack.


    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.

     
    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

     
    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.

     
    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.

     


    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:

  • Ensign John Charles England, USNR,
  • Ensign Francis C. Flaherty, USNR; and
  • Seaman First Class James Richard Ward, USN.

    For further images of the "Battleship Row" area during and shortly after the Japanese raid, see:

  • "Battleship Row" during the Pearl Harbor Attack.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 22 October 2000
    Coding updated 21 April 2009