Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) on
USS Arizona and the National Park Service

1. Why is USS Arizona  significant?

2. How many men were lost on the ship?

3. Why were Arizona  and Utah the only ships not salvaged
    after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

4. Is there still oil on Arizona ?

5. How long will Arizona  last?

6. Can anyone dive on Arizona ?

7. How long has the NPS been researching Arizona?

8. Who provides funding for this work?

1. Why is USS Arizona  significant?

USS Arizona, a National Historic Landmark — the highest level of national historic significance — is administered cooperatively by NPS and Navy and among the most recognized and visited war memorials in the nation. More than 1.5 million people annually visit the USS Arizona Memorial, tomb of more than 1,000 US sailors and the most visible warship lost in World War II. This ship, a national shrine and Naval memorial that remains deeply ingrained into American consciousness, still commands an honor guard from the many capital ships that ply Pearl Harbor today as it did during the war when it served as inspiration to Navy personnel going into battle.
 

The war memorial above the ship commemorates the largest US naval loss in history and the ultimate American victory, made horribly poignant by recent events. The memorial structure symbolizes America’s initial defeat and determined rise to victory. The memorial design incorporates architect Alfred Preis’ views of the US as an essentially peaceful nation, one that inevitably would sustain the first blow in war, but once aroused will overcome any obstacle and make any sacrifice along the road from defeat to victory. USS Arizona has come to be a symbol of what can happen should the nation be caught unaware; and it is mute testimony for the necessity of military preparedness, alertness and for the danger of underestimating potential foes.

USS Utah, the other battleship still remaining after the Pearl Harbor attack, is often called “the forgotten monument” as most public attention is focused on the remains of Arizona. Utah also is a monument to the attack and the loss of life that resulted. As caretakers of America’s history, NPS will extend the results and management recommendations of the Arizona project to encompass Utah as well.
 

2. How many men were lost on the ship?

A total of 1,177 sailors and marines were killed on USS Arizona the morning of December 7, 1941.  This represents the greatest loss of life in U.S. Naval history, and more than half of the 2,335 U.S. servicemen from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps killed during the Pearl Harbor attack.  One question still haunts visitors to the Arizona Memorial even to this day. Why were the dead not removed? Initially, about 105 bodies were removed, but because the ship was never raised, the remainder could not. The priority at that time was salvage of ships that could be repaired -- the Arizona was not in that category. As a result, the bodies deteriorated to the point of not being identifiable. Even as late as 1947, requests were made in regard to removal of the dead, but rejected. They are considered buried at sea by the US Navy.

The battleships Oklahoma, Arizona and target ship Utah were sunk during the attack; battleships California and West Virginia, and minelayer Oglala were sunk but later raised and returned to service.  The battleships Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Maryland, cruisers Raleigh, Honolulu and Helena, destroyers Cassin, Shaw and Downes, and auxiliary ships Curtiss and Vestal were damaged but repaired.  A total of 98 Naval aircraft were lost, as well as 64 Army aircraft.

3. Why were Arizona  & Utah the only ships not salvaged after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Of all the ships lost or damaged at Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona offered the most pathetic sight. Despite the crumpled superstructure and main decks awash, divers began exploring the wreckage of the ship within a week.

It was soon discovered that the after part of the ship from the break in the deck to the stern was relatively intact. Removal of safes, valuables and documents of a sensitive nature had begun by early 1942.

Assessment dives continued to evaluate the feasibility of raising the Arizona. Salvage officers initially considered building a cofferdam around the vessel's perimeter, thus sealing the ship off from the harbor to allow the pumping of water from interior spaces. Examination of the harbor's coral bottom concluded that it was too porous and would not allow this process.

Throughout 1942 and 1943, examination dives continued inside and outside the ship. Meanwhile, ordnance divers began to remove ammunition and projectiles in May 1942. Eventually guns, machinery and other equipment were removed for use on other ships or stations.  On May 5, 1942, the toppled foremast of the Arizona was cut away and removed. The mainmast was taken away by August 23. Other features removed were the stern aircraft crane (December 23) and the conning tower (December 30).

The Navy decided that the Army would receive gun turrets No. 3 and 4 for use as coastal defense guns. Two sites were selected: one at Mokapu Head (Kaneohe) known as Battery Pennsylvania and the second at an area known today as Electric Hill (HEI generating plant) on the western shore of Oahu, up the slopes of the Wianae Mountains. Only Battery Pennsylvania was completed. A test firing took place four days before the surrender of Japan. Today both sites are abandoned; the guns were removed and cut up for scrap shortly after the war ended.

Despite the work done to remove all useful materials from Arizona, it was apparent the ship itself was lost. A memorandum from the Commandant of the Navy Yard to Washington in June 1942, suggested abandoning salvage work on the Arizona because it was a "task of great magnitude entailing the diversion of large numbers of men and equipment from other work." In his mind, as well as others, the conviction had formed that Arizona would never fight again. On December 1, 1942, the vessel was struck from the books of commissioned ships. By October 1943, the last salvage work was completed. The ship had been stripped down to the main deck, none of the graceful superstructure remained. In 1961 the USS Arizona was altered once more. In order to place the present memorial over the ship, a section of the boat deck that rested over the galley amidships was cut away. Initially this had been the area of a flag and platform for ceremonies and visits to the site from 1950-1960. This portion of the Arizona was removed to Waipio Point where it remains today.

The immediate problem faced by the salvage teams on Utah was to determine the extent of damage and whether the ship could be righted. In November 1942, a series of surveys was completed that included establishment of a mud line from bow to stern. Early thinking believed that an air bubble could be used to float the hull to drydock. Closer examination determined that Utah simply could not hold enough compressed air to make such a trip.

Another approach was considered. The conditions that faced Utah were similar to those in the righting of Oklahoma. Captain Wallin and his staff decided that Oklahoma 's method would accomplish the task. In preparation, during the month of January 1943, workers removed ordnance material, painted frame marks on the hull, constructed a floating walkway to the F-11-N quay, installed a landing for boats, and drilled access holes to remove the ship's oil supply.

Like Oklahoma, a series of 17 electric winches, cables and wooden struts was used to right the ship. Work on Utah proceeded slowly but effectively until early in 1944. As the ship began to roll back to an upright position, the vessel failed to grip the bottom. As the winches pulled, the vessel slid toward Ford Island. Immediately work stopped, and salvage engineers pondered the problem.  It was resolved that continued salvage would be costly for a ship that was not valuable in the war effort, so by March 1944 work stopped. Utah rested on its side at a 38-degree angle.

In 1956, a new effort to remove Utah was rekindled by the commandant of the Fourteenth Naval District, who felt that Essex-class carriers had insufficient space to initiate transfer of ammunition, special weapons and guided missile components. Perhaps in an effort to make his case more solid, the commandant suggested that Utah obstructed navigation in the channel and should be removed. This was seconded by the Service Force, the fleet maintenance officer and the Pacific Fleet.

The cost for removal was estimated at $4,000,000 (about $27 million today), but soon a number of issues began to plague the commandant's effort. First, no funds were available. Second, the equipment used initially to right the vessel had been sold. Third, the project could take one and a half to two years.  Perhaps the most important factor leading to discontinuing the plan was raised by the Chief of Naval Operations: he simply stated that the vessel was the final resting place of 58 sailors and should not be disturbed.

Early in 1970 it was proposed by the shipmates and supporters from the state of Utah that a memorial be built to honor the dead. On May 27, 1972 Senator Moss of Utah, who had led the fight for approval and construction, dedicated the memorial.

The legacy of Utah was ever-present in the struggle of the Pacific. The training it had provided to the pilots, warships, subs and antiaircraft gunners enabled the Pacific Fleet to be an effective fighting force early on. The testing weapon system had allowed that fleet first-hand experience in working effectively. The ship had contributed significantly to the scientific testing of remote systems, gunnery training and aerial attack. In a larger sense, Utah helped prepare America for war.

Next