USS Arizona facts for kids
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Arizona during the 1920s
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | Arizona |
| Namesake | Arizona |
| Ordered | 4 March 1913 |
| Builder | Brooklyn Navy Yard |
| Laid down | 16 March 1914 |
| Launched | 19 June 1915 |
| Commissioned | 17 October 1916 |
| Decommissioned | 29 December 1941 |
| Stricken | 1 December 1942 |
| Identification | Hull number: BB-39 |
| Fate | Sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941 by Japanese aircraft |
| Status | Memorial wreck |
| __1B0X_5H1P__ | career |
| General characteristics (as completed) | |
| Class & type | Pennsylvania-class battleship |
| Displacement | 29,158 long tons (29,626 t) (standard) |
| Length | 608 ft (185.3 m) |
| Beam | 97 ft (29.6 m) |
| Draft | 29 ft 3 in (8.9 m) (deep load) |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion | 4 shafts; 4 sets of steam turbines |
| Speed | 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) |
| Range | 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement | 1,087 (1,358 in 1931) |
| Armament |
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| __1B0X_5H1P__ | characteristics |
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The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a powerful battleship built for the United States Navy. She was named after the 48th state, Arizona. Launched in 1915, the Arizona was part of the Pennsylvania-class of warships. She served during World War I, escorting President Woodrow Wilson. Later, she helped protect American interests in the Mediterranean Sea. For most of her career, the Arizona was based with the Pacific Fleet. She took part in many training exercises in the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1940, the fleet's home port moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On December 7, 1941, Japanese aircraft launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The Arizona was hit by several bombs. One bomb caused a massive explosion in her ammunition storage area. This explosion quickly sank the battleship. Tragically, 1,177 sailors and officers lost their lives. The Arizona was too damaged to be repaired for World War II. Today, her remains rest at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. A special memorial stands above her, honoring all who died in the attack.
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What Was the USS Arizona Like?
The Arizona was a large battleship, much bigger than earlier ships. She was about 608 feet long, which is longer than two football fields! Her width, or beam, was about 97 feet. When fully loaded, she sat about 29 feet deep in the water.
This mighty ship was powered by four steam turbines. These engines turned four propellers, allowing the Arizona to reach speeds of about 21 knots (around 24 miles per hour). She could travel about 8,000 nautical miles without needing to refuel. A crew of over 1,000 sailors worked and lived on board.
The Arizona carried powerful weapons. Her main guns were twelve 14-inch cannons, arranged in four triple turrets. These huge guns could fire shells many miles. For defense against smaller ships, she had twenty-two 5-inch guns along her sides. She also had four 3-inch anti-aircraft guns to protect against planes. The ship even had two underwater torpedo tubes.
To protect herself, the Arizona had thick armor. Her sides had a strong armor belt up to 13.5 inches thick. The gun turrets and the command center (conning tower) also had very heavy armor. This "all-or-nothing" armor design protected the most important parts of the ship.
Building and Launching the Arizona
The construction of the Arizona began on March 16, 1914. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who later became president, attended the ceremony. The ship was built in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. Builders hoped to finish it very quickly.
The Arizona was launched on June 19, 1915. This means it floated for the first time. Thousands of people watched, including the Governor of Arizona. A special ceremony took place where the ship was christened. Instead of just one bottle, two were used: one with sparkling wine and one with water from the Roosevelt Dam. This honored a new law in Arizona.
After launching, the ship was fitted out with all its equipment. The Arizona officially joined the Navy on October 17, 1916. Captain John McDonald was her first commander. She then went on a "shakedown cruise" to test everything. During this trip, a turbine needed repairs, so the ship returned to New York.
Arizona During World War I
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The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917. The Arizona was used as a training ship for gunnery. Her crew practiced firing the big guns. Some of her smaller guns were removed to arm merchant ships. The Arizona mostly stayed close to shore to avoid German submarines.
The war ended on November 11, 1918. A month later, the Arizona sailed to France. She helped escort President Woodrow Wilson to the Paris Peace Conference. This was a meeting to discuss peace after the war. The ship returned to New York in December 1918 to a big celebration.
Post-War Service and the 1920s
After the war, the Arizona continued training in the Caribbean. In 1919, she was sent to Turkey. This was to protect American interests during a conflict between Greece and Italy. Many American citizens found safety on board the Arizona.
In 1920, the ship received upgrades. She was fitted with a platform for launching aircraft. In 1921, the Arizona sailed through the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet. Her new home port was San Pedro, California.
Throughout the 1920s, the Arizona participated in many training exercises. These included annual "Fleet Problems." These exercises simulated large naval battles. They helped the Navy practice defending important areas like the Panama Canal and Hawaii. In 1923, the ship took part in a naval review for President Warren G. Harding.
Modernizing the Arizona
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In 1929, the Arizona underwent a major modernization. Her old "cage masts" were replaced with new tripod masts. These new masts held advanced fire-control systems for her guns. The ship's anti-aircraft guns were also upgraded.
Engineers improved the main gun turrets. This allowed the big guns to aim higher. The ship's engines were almost entirely replaced with more powerful ones. Her deck armor was also strengthened. These changes made the Arizona even more powerful and protected.
The 1930s and Moving to Pearl Harbor
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After her modernization, the Arizona hosted President Herbert Hoover for a vacation in 1931. She then returned to the West Coast. In 1932, she participated in exercises that simulated an attack on Pearl Harbor.
In 1933, the Arizona helped with relief efforts after an earthquake near Long Beach, California. Her sailors provided aid and security. In 1934, the ship and her crew were featured in the movie Here Comes the Navy. Later that year, the Arizona was involved in a collision with a fishing trawler. Her captain was replaced after the incident.
Due to budget cuts, the Arizona spent much of the mid-1930s in port. In April 1940, the entire Pacific Fleet moved its home port. It moved from California to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This move was meant to discourage Japanese expansion in the Pacific.
The Arizona received her last major overhaul from October 1940 to January 1941. During this time, a foundation for a search radar was added. Her anti-aircraft defenses were also improved. Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh took command of the ship in February 1941. In October 1941, the Arizona was involved in a minor collision with the USS Oklahoma. This required her to be dry-docked at Pearl Harbor for repairs. This meant she was still in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japanese aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The attack began just before 8:00 AM. On board the Arizona, the alarm sounded, and the crew rushed to their battle stations.
Soon after 8:00 AM, ten Japanese torpedo bombers attacked the Arizona. These planes carried special armor-piercing bombs. The aircraft scored four direct hits and three near-misses on the battleship.
The Magazine Explosion
One bomb hit near the front of the ship at 8:06 AM. It likely went through the armored deck and into the ammunition storage areas, called magazines. About seven seconds later, the forward magazines exploded with incredible force. This massive explosion destroyed much of the front part of the ship. The forward gun turrets and command tower collapsed. The ship was effectively torn in two.
Fierce fires burned for two days after the explosion. Debris from the ship rained down on nearby Ford Island. The bombs and the huge explosion tragically killed 1,177 of the 1,512 crew members on board. This was about half of all the lives lost during the entire attack on Pearl Harbor.
Experts have two main ideas about what caused the explosion. One idea is that the bomb ignited a smaller magazine holding black powder. This then set off the main ammunition magazines. Another idea is that the bomb directly hit one of the main ammunition magazines. It is difficult to know for sure, as the ship was so badly damaged.
Honoring the Heroes
After the attack, several sailors received medals for their bravery. Lieutenant Commander Samuel G. Fuqua, the ship's damage control officer, earned the Medal of Honor. He helped put out fires and rescue survivors. Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd and Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh also received the Medal of Honor. They were both killed while trying to defend their ship. The Arizona was awarded one battle star for her service in World War II.
Salvage and Memorial
The Arizona was declared out of service on December 29, 1941. She was removed from the Navy's list of active ships in December 1942. The damage from the explosion was too severe to repair. Unlike many other ships sunk that day, the Arizona could not be returned to service.
Her remaining parts above water were removed in 1942. Her main guns were salvaged over the next year and a half. The two rear main gun turrets were removed and used by the U.S. Army for coastal defense. The two front turrets were left in place. However, the guns from one of them were later used on another battleship, the USS Nevada.
The USS Arizona Memorial
The wreck of the Arizona remains at Pearl Harbor. It serves as a permanent memorial to the men who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. In 1950, the U.S. Navy began raising the American flag over her remains. In 1962, the wreck was officially designated a national shrine.
A beautiful memorial was built over the ship's sunken hull. Inside, a shrine room lists the names of all the lost crew members on a marble wall. The Arizona is considered a National Historic Landmark. Survivors of the attack can choose to have their ashes placed within the ship's remains. The last survivor of the Arizona, Lou Conter, passed away in April 2024 at the age of 102.
Oil still slowly leaks from the ship's hull into the harbor. This is a constant reminder of the tragedy. In 2004, the Navy and National Park Service mapped the hull. They did this carefully, respecting its role as a war grave.
One of the original Arizona bells is now at the University of Arizona. It used to be rung after football victories. A gun, mast, and anchor from the Arizona are displayed in Phoenix, Arizona. These artifacts help people remember the ship and its history.
Every two years, the Navy awards "The USS Arizona Memorial Trophy." This award goes to a ship that shows the highest combat readiness. It honors the legacy of the Arizona and her brave crew.
See also
In Spanish: USS Arizona (BB-39) para niños
- USS Arizona salvaged artifacts
- USS Texas, the only extant WWI-era US Navy battleship remaining
- HMS Royal Oak, another battleship sunk in harbor by a surprise attack and now a war grave
Images for kids
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Arizona's launch, 19 June 1915
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Arizona on the East River, New York City (1916)
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Arizona with ship's complement (1924)
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Arizona in 1931 after her modernization
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Captain Isaac C. Kidd on the deck of Arizona, c. 1939
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