USS oklahoma

Origins and Design: A Trailblazer of the Nevada Class

The naval innovation of the pre-World War I era gave birth to Oklahoma which started construction at New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey on October 26, 1912. The ship emerged as the second member of the Nevada-class after Nevada (BB-36) following its launch on March 23, 1914, and commissioning on May 2, 1916. The Oklahoma weighed 27,500 tons standard displacement and 29,040 tons at full load while measuring 583 feet (177.7 meters) long and reaching speeds of 20.5 knots (23.6 mph) through twelve oil-fired Babcock & Wilcox boilers and two triple-expansion steam engines which marked a departure from the geared turbines used in Nevada representing a transitional design choice.

Its armament was formidable: Oklahoma mounted ten 14-inch guns across two triple and two twin turrets capable of delivering 10,800 pounds of firepower over 20 miles and included twenty-one 5-inch guns along with an upgraded anti-aircraft battery from the 1930s. The ship featured revolutionary defensive systems for its era by incorporating a 13.5-inch (343 mm) belt armor alongside 18-inch (457 mm) turret faces and 3-inch (76 mm) deck protection through the “all-or-nothing” principle which prioritized maximum defense for critical areas while reducing weight elsewhere. What made Oklahoma special in its design was its role as a testbed for innovations: Together with Nevada it brought triple gun turrets as well as oil propulsion and advanced armor designs which established future U.S. battleship standards. The ship's triple-expansion engines resulted in inferior efficiency compared to turbines making it slower and outdated when measured against later ship classes and this shortcoming persisted through World War II.

Pre-War Service: A Quiet Career

During the interwar period Oklahoma functioned mainly in non-combat roles which demonstrated the Navy’s emphasis on training and diplomatic missions rather than military action. The ship conducted Atlantic patrols as a convoy escort against German U-boats during World War I but experienced no major encounters. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s modernization efforts added 3-inch and .50-caliber anti-aircraft guns and improved fire-control systems yet it remained outdated next to new battleship classes such as the Colorado and Tennessee. The veteran battleship Oklahoma was stationed at Pearl Harbor alongside the Pacific Fleet in 1940 as part of Battleship Division 1 but tragically never engaged in combat.

The quiet pre-war service of Oklahoma reflected its unique role as a bridge between older and newer battleship designs. The vessel served as a transitional battleship that combined features from both pre-dreadnought and modern designs while influencing future classes but became obsolete by 1941 which restricted its active involvement in the rapidly changing battles of the Pacific Theater.

Pearl Harbor: Oklahoma’s Defining Moment

Oklahoma’s naval operations during World War II were limited to December 7, 1941 when a Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor started the war but prevented the battleship from entering into major naval conflicts. The Imperial Japanese Navy’s Kido Butai targeted Oklahoma when it was moored outboard from Maryland at Berth F-5 on Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor. At 7: At 7:55 AM air raid sirens alerted the crew to man their battle stations yet the ship faced multiple attacks from Nakajima B5N Kate torpedo bombers.

Between 8: From 8:00 to 8:10 AM Oklahoma sustained at least five torpedo impacts on its port side and possibly up to nine from twelve torpedo-equipped Kates that used modified Type 91 torpedoes designed for shallow water operations. The torpedoes exploded beneath the waterline ripping wide holes in its hull while overpowering its old anti-torpedo defenses which did not feature the protective blisters installed on future ships. Oklahoma started to list heavily toward port almost immediately as the crew struggled to counterflood due to the rapid water entry. By 8: At 8:15 AM the ship overturned and turned itself toward the harbor bottom while its masts and superstructure buried into the mud which left its starboard side above water.

Among Oklahoma’s 1,353 crewmen, 429 died in the attack making it second to Arizona in fatalities because many were confined below decks when the ship capsized. Survivors and rescuers including Machinist Mate Julio DeCastro performed heroic actions to rescue 32 men within two days by using torches to cut through the hull. The tragic distinction of Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor was becoming the only U.S. battleship to capsize during the attack which starkly contrasted with Nevada’s escape attempt and West Virginia’s salvageable sinking. The quick destruction of battleships demonstrated their susceptibility to aerial assaults and initiated the Navy's strategic transition to focus on carrier-based operations.

Salvage and Aftermath: A Battleship Denied Combat

West Virginia and California entered combat again after salvage but Oklahoma received wartime damage that exceeded repair capacity. Between May 1942 and December 1943 the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard conducted a massive salvage operation to right the ship with the help of 21 derricks and massive cables before refloating it in June 1943. Without its guns and superstructure the Oklahoma stood as a hollow shell while its engines remained waterlogged and its hull damaged beyond repair without economic viability.

Oklahoma became scrap metal property of Moore Drydock Company in Oakland, California when it was sold in 1946 following its decommission on September 1, 1944. During a storm while being towed to San Francisco on May 17, 1947, the Oklahoma sank 540 miles off Hawaii and was lost to the ocean's depths until a University of Hawaii team located it at 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) in 2015. The sinking of Oklahoma before WWII’s major battles at Midway, Guadalcanal, and Leyte Gulf explains its absence from these conflicts, yet its story continues to be essential to the war's history.

Why Oklahoma Was Special

Oklahoma stands apart due to its innovative design background combined with its heartbreaking end and its lasting symbolic impact. First, its pioneering design set it apart. The Nevada-class battleship pioneered triple turrets and oil propulsion together with “all-or-nothing” armor which served as models for the Pennsylvania and Colorado classes. The ship served as a transitional vessel with its triple-expansion engines but its early use of oil fuel indicated the Navy’s future modernization efforts and became a symbol linking different tech eras.

The extraordinary catastrophic loss of the ship at Pearl Harbor stands out as a remarkable event. The battleship capsized in 20 minutes making it the only U.S. ship to experience this fate which highlighted how outdated designs were susceptible to torpedoes compared to Maryland's minor damage and Nevada's ability to move. The sinking of the ship resulted in 429 fatalities including numerous individuals trapped in flooded compartments which positions it among the deadliest losses for a single ship during wartime while enhancing its historical significance. Posthumously recognized for its crew's valiant combat and rescue actions, artifacts such as the ship's bell are currently displayed at the Oklahoma History Center.

Oklahoma emerged as a significant representation of sacrifice that prompted important changes.

The sinking of Oklahoma helped solidify American determination and was symbolized by the "Remember Pearl Harbor" slogan while its loss along with Arizona’s pushed America to rely more heavily on aircraft carriers in their navy which was shown during battles at Midway and Leyte Gulf where sister ships were salvaged and used while Oklahoma stayed in the harbor. The sinking of Oklahoma changed the direction of the war without the ship having fired a key shot.

Legacy and Significance

Oklahoma’s contribution to WWII ended at Pearl Harbor but its effects extended through key Pacific battles through indirect means. As Oklahoma sank it led to the refurbishment of Nevada, West Virginia and California which fought at Leyte Gulf and Iwo Jima while its sinking emphasized the importance of airpower which proved crucial at Midway and later battles. The wreck of Oklahoma earned one battle star during its limited service and after its rediscovery in 2015 continues to serve as a silent memorial with its hull plates and guns submerged in the ocean.

The transformation of Oklahoma from a peaceful colossus to a wartime martyr showcased the early American war effort's fragility and tenacity. The life of Oklahoma illustrates the initial Pacific War jolt while leading into the victories of its rescued companions.

The Oklahoma represents both the innovative achievements and heartbreaking losses of naval history as it stands as a symbol of the sacrifices and lessons from WWII's naval battles.