Chapter III: Archeological Record
(continued)

USS ARIZONA

Site Description and Analysis (continued)

On the midship port side near the galley area are the remains of an old mooring platform that predates the current memorial. Before construction of the present memorial, launches visiting the ARIZONA would moor to platforms attached to the ship. Heavy stud-link chains extend from this older structure to secure the present boat dock.

Items thrown onto the site from memorial visitors begin to be visible in the galley area. As one moves closer to the memorial platform, unintentionally deposited items appear, including sunglasses, combs, lens caps, and occasionally even complete cameras. Visitors also throw coins, which are periodically removed by NPS personnel involved in site monitoring. The most poignant items are the many flowered leis that are tossed on the ship in remembrance of those still aboard. These leis floating above in the iridescent oil escaping from the ship were a constant reminder of the significance of the ARIZONA to the divers documenting its remains.

Figure 3.17. Coupling of fire hose on deck of ship protrudes through the sediment. (NPS photo by Larry Murphy)

Figure 3.18. Tile floor in galley area of USS ARIZONA. (NPS photo by Larry Murphy)

Directly under the memorial, the bottom contours on both sides of the ship rise dramatically. This is most probably a function of silt precipitating out of solution due to the effect of the monument's pylons, which extend into the harbor bottom in these areas. Outboard of the starboard side of the ship under the memorial, heavily encrusted flood lamps hang from electrical wires. Although the lamps are all covered with sponges, they appear intact, and were reportedly part of a lighting system from pre-monument memorialization.

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