How far down is the USS Arizona?

“Today, Arizona rests where she fell, submerged in about 40 feet of water just off the coast of Ford Island,” the National Park Service says. The ship isn't all that remains underwater. More than 900 sailors and Marines could not be recovered, either.

Can you dive down to the USS Arizona?

Because the Arizona is considered to be a memorial, it is unlawful for divers to enter the ship, so careful egresses are made using underwater rovers that document interior conditions. Members of PVA dive the waters of the USS Arizona along with the National Park Service. (File photo 2018 National Park Service).

Are bodies still in USS Arizona?

The majority of those have never been recovered from the wreckage. According to DPAA, their remains are entombed in the USS Arizona Memorial. As of December 1, 2021, DPAA reports more than 81,600 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars or other conflicts.

Why is the USS Arizona still underwater?

The USS Arizona is the resting place to hundreds of sailors. The Navy decided to leave them and the ship there after an inspection a few months after the attack. It was determined that there was so much damage that the ship was a total loss and could not be salvaged.

How far down did the USS Arizona sink?

The Arizona sank in about 40 feet (12 metres) of water, though some parts were not submerged, and the ship continued to burn for more than two days. Almost immediately, efforts were undertaken to retrieve bodies, but eventually the decision was made to leave more than 900 entombed in the ship's wreckage.

Loss of the USS Arizona - Examining the Evidence

How long will USS Arizona leak oil?

It's believed between 14,000 and 64,000 gallons of oil have leaked from the USS Arizona since the attack, and the National Park Service estimates it could continue to leak for 500 years.

Has anyone been inside the USS Arizona?

As an underwater archaeologist for the National Park Service, Dave Conlin is one of few people in the world who has dived the USS Arizona. Scuba diving the ship is part of his work to preserve and protect the remains of the USS Arizona and its crew. Here, he is photographed on the ship's starboard gunwhale.

Can the USS Arizona be raised?

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the short answer is no; she'll likely remain submerged in the harbor until she completely erodes down to nothing.

Does the USS Arizona still leak oil?

Fuel continues to leak from USS Arizona's wreckage.

However, despite the raging fire and ravages of time, some 500,000 gallons are still slowly seeping out of the ship's submerged wreckage: Nearly 70 years after its demise, Arizona continues to spill up to 9 quarts of oil into the harbor each day.

How deep is the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor?

“Today, Arizona rests where she fell, submerged in about 40 feet of water just off the coast of Ford Island,” the National Park Service says. The ship isn't all that remains underwater. More than 900 sailors and Marines could not be recovered, either.

What ships are still at the bottom of Pearl Harbor?

The wrecks of only two vessels remain in the harbor — the Arizona and USS Utah — so survivors of those ships are the only ones who have the option to be laid to rest this way. Most of the ships hit that day were repaired and put back into service or scrapped.

What happened to the guns from the USS Arizona?

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 the ARIZONA, it was apparent the ship itself was lost.

How long did it take for the USS Arizona to sink?

Fourteen minutes after the first gunner plane interrupted the morning colors, the Arizona began to sink into Pearl Harbor. In those 14 minutes, a lifetime was at stake. Much of the country's Pacific battleship fleet was in flames. The Arizona's oil tanks, refilled the day before, would burn for three more days.

Can survivors of the USS Arizona be buried there?

Only USS Arizona survivors can be interred on the USS Arizona. Pearl Harbor survivors can have their ashes scattered over Pearl Harbor. The memorial service and interment of deceased USS Arizona Survivors is conducted on the USS Arizona Memorial.

How many bodies remain on the USS Arizona?

After the attack, the ship was left resting on the bottom with the deck just awash. In the days and weeks following, efforts were made to recover the bodies of the crew and the ship's records. Eventually, further recovery of bodies became fruitless and the bodies of at least 900 crewmen remained in the ship.

Are there any remaining survivors of the USS Arizona?

Ken Potts, serving in the Navy in 1941 (left) and 80 years later (right) is one of two living survivors of the USS Arizona. Eighty years later he can still hear the sirens wailing from Battleship Row.

What happened to the ship's captain when the USS Arizona exploded?

Franklin Van Valkenburgh (April 5, 1888 – December 7, 1941) was an American naval officer who served as the last captain of the USS Arizona (BB-39). He was killed when the Arizona exploded and sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

How many Pearl Harbor survivors are left?

As we prepare to enter 2022, the total number of Pearl Harbor survivors is estimated to be less than 1,500 — the youngest of whom would be 97. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only 240,000 were still alive in 2021, only 25,000 in California, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Is Pearl Harbor still an active military base?

Today, Pearl Harbor remains an active military base, Headquarters of the Pacific Fleet, and a National Historic Landmark that's home to four unique attractions: from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that started it all, to the surrender of the Japanese on the deck of the mighty Battleship Missouri, these four ...

What is the deadliest war ship in the world?

How many ships are still sunk at Pearl Harbor?

In all, 21 ships were labeled damaged or sunk after the attack. Nine of them were still afloat and were either quickly repaired for frontline duty or sent to the U.S. West Coast for repairs and new equipment. But another 12 were sunk and some of those were even declared lost.

How many Japanese died in Pearl Harbor?

The Japanese lost 29 aircraft and 5 midget submarines in the attack. One Japanese soldier was taken prisoner and 129 Japanese soldiers were killed. Out of all the Japanese ships that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor only one, the Ushio, survived until the end of the war.

Can you see the USS Arizona?

As a visitor, you can still see the wreckage of the great ship. Once you arrive at the USS Arizona Memorial, head over the the Assembly Room. This room is often used for large ceremonies, but it also offers visitors a great way to see the ship below.

What are the black tears of the Arizona?

Oil leaking from the sunken battleship can still be seen rising from the wreckage to the water's surface. This oil is sometimes referred to as “the tears of the Arizona” or “black tears.” Every day the Arizona is estimated to leak two liters of black tears into the water. It is unknown where the oil is leaking.

How many men still are entombed in the USS Utah?

The correct answer is 58 men died on the Utah. That number includes officers. Four of the 58 men were buried on land, but 54 of them are still entombed inside the ship.