The US Navy's Fleet Composition Just Prior to the Attack on Pearl Harbor

The United States Navy was one of the largest and most technologically advanced navies in the world just before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. This article will explore the detailed fleet composition of the US Navy, focusing on the specific counts of aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines during that critical period.

Overview of the Fleet

At the time of the attack, the US Navy operated in three main fleets: the Pacific Fleet, the Atlantic Fleet, and the Asiatic Fleet. While the information provided indicates the total number of each type of ship overall, it is also important to note the specific counts in each of these fleets. The fleet size was vast, comprising 902 commissioned ships, including 220 smaller craft that were typically used for support and base operations. Among these, the major combatant ships were much more numerous and significant.

Type/Fleets Total Pacific Atlantic Asiatic Aircraft Carriers 7 3 4 0 Escort Carriers 1 0 1 0 Battleships 17 9 8 0 Heavy Cruisers 18 12 5 1 Light Cruisers 19 9 8 2 Destroyers 171 66 92 13 Submarines 112 27 59 26

Major Combatant Ships on December 7, 1941

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the US Navy had the following combatant ships in commission:

8 Aircraft Carriers 17 Battleships 18 Heavy Cruisers 19 Light Cruisers 171 Destroyers 112 Submarines

These ships were part of a total of 345 major combatant ships, making up a significant portion of the Navy's overall strength at that time. However, it is crucial to note that these numbers only represent the ships that were present and operational at Pearl Harbor. Many of the destroyers and submarines were in other locations, supporting the various operations around the world.

Ships Present at Pearl Harbor

Of the combatant ships present at Pearl Harbor, the following were present on the day of the attack:

8 Battleships 2 Heavy Cruisers 6 Light Cruisers 29 Destroyers 4 Submarines

This represented only about 1 in 7 of the Navy's major combatant ships at that time. Among the battleships present was Arizona and Oklahoma, two of which were permanently lost. The other three battleships were severely damaged but were later repaired and rejoined the fleet within two years. The three remaining battleships were lightly damaged and operational within six months.

The only other ship permanently lost was the old battleship USS Utah, which was a gunnery training ship. Additionally, several other ships were damaged or sunk in shallow water, but were later repaired and saw further service during the war. These included the cruiser Raleigh, minelayer Oglala, and destroyers Cassin, Downes, and Shaw.

Conclusion

The US Navy, with its vast fleet of aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, was a formidable force before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Despite the significant losses and damage, the resilience and strategic planning of the Navy allowed for rapid recovery and continued operations throughout the war.

Keywords: US Navy, Pearl Harbor, Fleet Composition