Navigating the Battleship and Aircraft Carrier Presence at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
Whenever the subject of Pearl Harbor arises in historical discussions, it's common to hear questions about the number of battleships and aircraft carriers present on that fateful day. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the naval forces at Pearl Harbor during the attack, specifically focusing on the battleships and aircraft carriers present, and their activities leading up to the bombing.
The Battleship Presence at Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, when the Japanese launched their devastating strike on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, all of the battleships in the Pacific Fleet were either at sea or undergoing repairs. Not a single battleship was anchored in the harbor on that day. This was due to a combination of strategic deployment and normal maintenance schedules.
Among the battleships, the USS Oklahoma, USS Maryland, USS Arizona, USS Nevada, and USS Tennessee were stationed in Pearl Harbor as part of the fleet's presence. However, the USS Oklahoma and USS Maryland were moored and damaged or destroyed during the attack, while the USS Arizona was destroyed with high loss of life.
It's important to note that while the battleships were not present, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise and rapid action that caught the United States unprepared. This historic event led directly to the United States declaring war against Japan, changing the course of World War II.
Aircraft Carrier Activities Leading Up to the Attack
On the morning of December 7, 1941, no aircraft carriers were present in the protected waters of Pearl Harbor. Instead, they were operating far from the base, engaged in various training and patrol missions, or still en route to or from their bases.
USS Lexington (CV-2)
The USS Lexington had departed Pearl Harbor on December 5, 1941, with the primary objective of ferrying 18 U.S. Marine Corps Vought SB2U Vindicators to reinforce the base at Midway Island. This ship was essential in maintaining the island's air support capabilities.
USS Saratoga (CV-3)
The USS Saratoga had just completed a refit in San Diego and was on her way to pick up an air group that had been training ashore while undergoing maintenance.
USS Ranger (CV-4)
The USS Ranger had been conducting an ocean patrol and returned to Norfolk, arriving on December 8, 1941, just as the attack was taking place. She had not been stationed in the Pacific at the time of the attack.
USS Yorktown (CV-5)
The USS Yorktown was in Norfolk, Virginia, having just completed a patrol of the Atlantic Ocean. She was not scheduled to return to Hawaii until after the attack.
USS Enterprise (CV-6)
The USS Enterprise and her task force had departed Pearl Harbor on November 28, 1941, to deliver Marine Fighter Squadron 211 to Wake Island. Due to bad weather, she was still at sea, about 215 nautical miles (398 km) west of Oahu, when the attack began on December 7, 1941.
USS Wasp (CV-7)
The USS Wasp was anchored in Grassy Bay, Bermuda, at the time of the attack.
USS Hornet (CV-8)
The USS Hornet had trained out of Norfolk, Virginia, and was due to depart the area. However, by the time of the attack, she was on her way to Naval Air Station Alameda, California, and had not yet loaded the 16 B-25 bombers under Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle's command.
Ships under Construction but Not Operational
Some other less well-known ships, such as the USS Franklin (CV-13), were in various stages of construction and had not yet been launched.
USS Essex (CV-9)
The USS Essex had been laid down on April 28, 1941.
USS Bonhomme Richard (CV-10)
The USS Bonhomme Richard had been renamed Yorktown and laid down on December 1, 1941, but was not operational at the time of the attack.
USS Intrepid (CV-11)
The USS Intrepid had also been laid down on December 1, 1941, and similarly, was not operational.
USS Cabot (CV-16)
The USS Cabot, renamed from Lexington, had been laid down on July 15, 1941, and was also undergoing construction at the time of the attack.
USS Bunker Hill (CV-17)
The USS Bunker Hill had been laid down on September 15, 1941.
Conclusion
This detailed overview of the naval forces present in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, underscores the decisive role played by quick action and strategic planning on that day. The overwhelming success of the Japanese attack demonstrated the importance of readiness and preparedness, and led directly to the United States entering World War II. Understanding the movements and roles of these vessels provides a profound insight into one of the most pivotal events in modern history.