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Flotilla of Ships Sunk or Damaged During Pearl Harbor Attack

Besides the eight battleships damaged or sunk at Pearl Harbor by a Japanese aerial attack on Dec. 7, 1941, there were other vessels damaged or sunk and dozens of aircraft on several airfields were destroyed. 

A ship near land tilts in a body of water.
Raleigh Tilts
The light cruiser USS Raleigh tilts as a result of being bombed and torpedoed after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941.
Credit: Navy
VIRIN: 441207-O-D0439-002

The USS Utah, a former battleship converted to a training vessel for anti-aircraft gunners, was hit by two torpedoes shortly after 8 a.m., killing 58. 

A  man in a Navy uniform poses for a photo.
Savior's Pose
Navy Chief Peter Tomich is photographed prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. He died trying to save his fellow shipmates and was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Credit: Navy
VIRIN: 401207-O-D0439-003

Instead of abandoning the capsizing ship, Navy Chief Peter Tomich remained onboard to stabilize the boilers so others could safely evacuate. He died at his post and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 

The repair ship USS Vestal was also damaged in the attack. The skipper, Navy Capt. Cassin Young, quickly organized a defense of the ship, then got it underway and beached it so it could be more easily salvaged. He too was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was killed 11 months later at the Battle of Guadalcanal. 

A sailor poses for a photo.
Hero's Pose
Navy Capt. Cassin Young poses for a photo prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. He fought valiantly to save his ship, the repair ship USS Vestal, during the attack and was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Credit: Navy
VIRIN: 391207-O-D0439-003

The cargo ship SS Cynthia Olson, chartered by the Army to carry supplies from the U.S. mainland to the territory of Hawaii, was attacked by a Japanese submarine. All 33 of the merchant marine crew and two Army passengers were killed. 

The light cruiser USS Helena was struck by a torpedo flooding the lower decks. Despite the damage, the crew was able to man the ship's anti-aircraft guns which are credited with six of the 21 Japanese aircraft downed during the attacks that day. Of the crew, 31 perished. 

The seaplane tender USS Curtiss was bombed with the resulting deaths of 19 of the crew. The vessel was refloated by the end of the month. 

The following vessels were bombed and/or torpedoed, but later salvaged with further World War II service: the minelayer USS Oglala; light cruiser USS Raleigh; destroyers USS Shaw, USS Cassin and USS Downes; and harbor tug USS Sotoyomo. 

A battleship shown in the distance, near land, explodes.
Shaw Explosion
The destroyer USS Shaw explodes after its forward magazine is detonated by a raging fire during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941.
Credit: Navy
VIRIN: 441207-O-D0439-001X
Multiple ships explode and sink. Smoke rises over a harbor.
Scene of Destruction
Minelayer USS Oglala, in the foreground, is capsized. Vessels on fire in the background include the light cruiser USS Helena, the destroyer USS Shaw and the USS Pennsylvania all damaged after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941.
Credit: Navy
VIRIN: 441207-O-D0439-003

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