Salvage of USS Oklahoma
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Salvage of USS Oklahoma The USS Oklahoma, a Pennsylvania-class battleship, was one of the numerous United States Navy battleships sunk during the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The battleship, commissioned in 1916, was moored in Ford Island harbor when it was struck by multiple torpedoes launched from Imperial Japanese Navy submarines, resulting in capsizing and sinking in a matter of minutes. Of the 429 crew members on board, 393 lost their lives in the disaster. Following the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy initiated a massive salvage operation to recover and return to service as many of the sunken battleships as possible.
Background and sinking
The USS Oklahoma, named after the State of Oklahoma, was constructed at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy on May 5, 1916, under the command of Captain Roland F. O'Neill. At the time of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the battleship was serving as a United States Pacific Fleet unit. On that fateful day, the USS Oklahoma was hit by at least five torpedoes, which caused extensive damage and led to its rapid sinking. The sinking of the USS Oklahoma was one of the most significant losses during the attack, alongside other battleships like the USS Arizona and USS California.
Salvage planning and challenges
The decision to salvage the USS Oklahoma was made in the context of the U.S. Navy's broader efforts to recover and restore sunken battleships following World War II. The salvage of the battleship posed significant technical and logistical challenges, given the extent of the damage and the depth at which the ship lay. The operation was led by the U.S. Navy's Salvage Division, which had developed innovative techniques and technologies for underwater salvage operations. The salvage plan involved a multi-stage process, including securing the ship, removing hazardous materials, and eventually righting and refloating the vessel.
Righting and refloating operations
The righting and refloating of the USS Oklahoma required careful planning and execution. The process began with the removal of oil and hazardous materials from the ship to prevent environmental damage and facilitate subsequent salvage operations. A cofferdam was then constructed around the ship to enable workers to excavate the surrounding seabed and create a stable platform for the righting operation. The U.S. Navy employed a system of cables, pulleys, and hydraulic jacks to slowly right the ship. Once righted, the USS Oklahoma was refloated on May 8, 1943, marking a significant achievement in the salvage operation.
Post-salvage examination and disposal
Following its successful refloating, the USS Oklahoma underwent a thorough examination to assess the extent of the damage and determine its suitability for return to service. However, given the significant damage sustained during the sinking and the extensive repairs required, it was ultimately decided that the battleship would not be returned to active service. Instead, the USS Oklahoma was decommissioned and subsequently sold for scrap in 1946. The ship was eventually broken up at a Japanese shipyard.
Legacy and memorials
The sinking of the USS Oklahoma during the Attack on Pearl Harbor and its subsequent salvage are remembered as part of the United States' naval history. The USS Oklahoma received three battle stars for its service during World War I and World War II. In recognition of its sacrifice, a United States Navy destroyer was named USS Oklahoma (DD-435) in its honor. The story of the USS Oklahoma serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the crew and the engineering feats achieved during its salvage.