USS Oklahoma (BB-37) - Report of December 20, 1941

December 20, 1941

A-9/L11-1(02)

December 20, 1941

From:Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Oklahoma.
To:Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Subject:U.S.S. Oklahoma. Damage sustained During the Action at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Preliminary Report.
References:(a) Commander Battleships, Battle Force letter A-9/L11-1(0937) of December 11, 1941.
(b) BuShips Conf. letter C-EF13/A9(374); C-S81-3; C-EN28/A2-11 of October 28, 1941.
(c) Report of Rescue and Salvage work. U.S.S. Oklahoma, dated December 12, 1941 submitted by Lieutenant Commander W.H. Hobby, Jr. (Senior Officer of the U.S.S. Oklahoma engaged on Salvage work.) (To Combatships)
(d) Commanding Officer U.S.S. Oklahoma letter A9/L11-1(01) of December 18, 1941.

1. This report of damage sustained by the U.S.S. Oklahoma as a result of the action at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 is preliminary to the complete report which will be made by the Navy Yard Pearl Harbor when the vessel will have been salvaged and detailed examination will have been possible.

2. For convenience of reference the text below corresponds to the paragraphs and sub paragraphs of reference (b).

3A

  1. U.S.S. Oklahoma
  2. 0800, December 7, 1941.
  3. Pearl Harbor, berth F-5, outboard of Maryland, port side to stream, stbd side to Maryland- depth of water 48-54 ft.
  4. Moored
  5. Drafts-31'1" (mean-approximately even trim-(afterward ship capsized.)
  6. Smooth water.
  7. Weather clear. Intermittent moving fleecy clouds, ceiling ranging from unlimited to 2,000 ft.

3B

  1. Bombs. One estimated 500 lbs. either direct hit or very close aboard.
  2. (b) two believed from horizontal bombers (several small bombs, probably 100 lb, released by dive bombers fell 100 yards to port and astern of the ship. Other data not obtained.
  3. One bomb (500 lb) on or very close to port bow at frame 30 (1 above). One bomb (500 lb.) close aboard, port side, at frame 80.
  4. Not determined, inspection impossible.
  5. Point of impact not determined.
  6. No data.
  7. No data.
  8. Results and effect combined with effect of torpedo hits and not separable there from. Other details not determined.
  9. Gas reported in Central Station and on third deck, approximately amidships, but not in heavy concentrations. Probably some came from storage batteries in battery charging room which was flooded.
  10. Condition Zed was being set. Ship, third deck and below was practically in condition Yoke, at the beginning of the attack. Not possible to determine exact degree of closure under present conditions. Situation (rapid flooding) did not permit of correcting heel or trim or other measures listed.

3C

  1. By best estimate, ship was struck by five airplane torpedoes fitted with impact exploder mechanism. No estimate of other data, except by comparison with known types of airplane torpedoes which is not a sound premise in the circumstances. The torpedoes were fired by planes from the port bow (straight shots) at an estimated range of 200 to 400 yards.
  2. Position of explosions estimated between frames 25 and 120 port side. The first three torpedoes are judged to have struck below the armor belt. The last two may have struck above the armor belt when the ship was listed to port 40 degrees or more. Impossible to obtain accurate data because ship capsized having rolled through an angle of about 135 degrees to port.
  3. None, except obviously of great explosive force. Great quantities of fuel oil and water thrown up by the explosion covered the weather decks.
  4. Five explosions with estimated time intervals between explosions in seconds as follows: First and second 10; second and third 10; third and fourth 20; forth and fifth 30.
  5. Noise dull, muffled, not of great volume. Causing much reverberation.
  6. None.
  7. None.
  8. Except for extraordinarily rapid heeling and flooding of ship it has been impossible to determine other effects of explosion, such as displacement of machinery, rupture of holding down bolts, etc.
  9. No data.
  10. Distribution of fuel and fresh water given in "Report of Rescue and Salvage Work" U.S.S. Oklahoma dated December 12, 1941 (ref. c)
  11. Not determined.
  12. Not determined.
  13. Not determined.
  14. Not determined.
  15. Ship was in condition yoke on third deck and below except for the few doors which might possibly have been open for necessary access with personnel actually working in such compartments. (ie: watertight doors closed at 1700 the day before (Saturday) were still closed except necessary access at 0800 (Sunday).
  16. Exact or approximate extent of flooding unknown but known to have been both extensive and rapid.
  17. Not applicable.
  18. Not applicable.
  19. None.
  20. Covered by B-10.

[signed]
H.D. BODE.

Copies to:

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