Chapter II: Historical Record
(continued)

Vessels Damaged

The USS PENNSYLVANIA (Battleship)

The ship in drydock No. 1 had received minor damage during the attack. A 250kg bomb had damaged a 5-inch 51-caliber antiaircraft gun and then exploded two decks below. Another 5-inch gun had been knocked out temporarily. The ship had suffered fragmentation damage that had compromised splinter protection, the deck, electrical gear, water mains and structural steel.

In 13 days the damage was repaired and the 5-inch 51-caliber gun replaced by one from the USS WEST VIRGINIA.

The PENNSYLVANIA had been in drydock no. 1 on December 7 to align the shafts and propellers. That work was completed after the attack. On December 20 the ship was ready for sea duty.

The USS HONOLULU (Cruiser)

The ship was nearly hit by a 250kg bomb that passed through a pier and into the water, exploding 20 feet from the hull. The result was a buckling of the hull 5 to 6 feet deep, running over 40 feet in length. This resulted in the flooding of compartments and a magazine. On December 13, 1941, the USS PENNSYLVANIA left drydock No. 1, and the USS HONOLULU entered for permanent repair. All hull work was completed by January 2, 1942. The ship was then returned to the Yard for work on the superstructure, wiring and other repairs.

The USS TENNESSEE (Battleship)

The vessel was struck by two bombs, both 500kg projectiles that failed to detonate. One struck the center gun of turret No. 2 and the other pierced the roof of turret No. 3, rendering both turrets in operable. The TENNESSEE's real tragedy was being pinned to the mooring quays by the sinking of the outboard ship USS WEST VIRGINIA. The vessel was freed on December 16, 1941, and moved to the Yard for minor repairs. The vessel was ready for fleet service by December 20, 1941.

The USS MARYLAND (Battleship)

The MARYLAND sustained minor damage from a bomb that struck the port side of the hull below the water line. This flooded several compartments but never threatened the ship. A caisson was placed around the damage to the hull and by December 20, 1941, the ship was ready for fleet service.

The USS MARYLAND (Battleship)

The ship was struck by a torpedo that had passed under the USS OGLALA while tied up to 1010 dock. The explosion opened up the starboard side of the vessel below the armor belt and flooded engine rooms 1 and 2. Counter-flooding stabilized the vessel. The HELENA was the first to enter the recently completed drydock No. 2. On December 10, temporary repairs began and were completed 11 days later.

The ship set sail on half power for Mare Island Navy Yard, where permanent repairs were made.

The USS HELM (Destroyer)

The HELM escaped Pearl Harbor during the attack. As it cleared the harbor entrance, the destroyer patrolled the waters outside the harbor looking for submarines. At 9:15 a.m., a Val dive bomber dove on the HELM and delivered two bombs, one that hit 100 feet off the bow and the other within 30 feet to starboard abreast of frame 10. The near miss caused considerable damage. It was found later on January 15, 1942 while the ship was drydocked at the Yards Marine Railway that the keel had been fractured, with shear lines running forward of bulkhead No. 14.

The HELM returned to sea in January and joined the fleet in San Diego, California.

The USS RALEIGH (Light Cruiser)

In the opening minutes of the attack, the ship was struck by a torpedo. The damage caused the flooding of two forward boiler rooms and the forward engine room. At 9:00 a.m. the RALEIGH was struck by a bomb that passed through three decks and out the side of the ship. The ship was in danger of sinking. Desperate measures were taken to jettison all topside weights and to counter-flood to correct a severe list. But despite these actions, the ship was slowly being lost. In desperation, salvage pontoons were brought along the port side and lashed to the ship to stabilize the list.

Most of the repairs after the attack were performed by the ship's crew and repair vessels at Pearl Harbor. On January 3 drydock No. 1 became available. Permanent repairs to the hull and bulkheads were completed at the yard by February 14, 1942.

The RALEIGH departed soon after for Mare Island Navy Yard on one engine. New engine parts and electrical parts were installed. The vessel rejoined the fleet on July 23, 1942.

The USS CURTISS (Seaplane Tender)

At 9:05 a.m. the CURTISS was struck by a Japanese plane that crashed into the forward crane and burned on the boat deck. Seven minutes later Japanese Val dive bombers began zeroing in on the ship. Three bombs were near misses that caused considerable damage. A fourth bomb struck the starboard side of the boat deck, crashed through three decks, and exploded on the main deck, resulting in serious damage. A majority of the damage was confined to fragmentation of piping, electric wires, steam lines, and structural alterations due to the explosions. Fires had swept certain areas of vessel resulting in predictable destruction.

For the most part, workers at the yard at Pearl repaired the vessel. The repairs took place in two stages, December 19 to 27 and April 26 to May 28, 1942. At that time, the vessel was restored to service.

The USS VESTAL (Repair Ship)

The VESTAL was moored outboard of the USS ARIZONA. At the time of the attack, the ship was struck by two bombs. The first struck the forecastle and crashed through several decks before exploding. Fortunately it detonated in the metal storage room, which deadened the impact. The second bomb passed through the ship before exploding under the stern.

What complicated matters further was the explosion of the ARIZONA and the intense flames and heat of the fires. Aided by two tugs, the VESTAL withdrew from Battleship Row and eventually beached on Aiea Shoals to prevent sinking.

Being a repair ship, the crew was more than qualified to begin repairs on their vessel. As soon as drydock facilities were available, the ship entered for permanent repairs. By February 18, 1942, the VESTAL was back to the business of repair for the fleet.

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