Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:53:08-1:57:40

Possible Japanese uses for Pearl Harbor's wrecked battleships

Raising captured American battleships would impose heavy repair costs, while their possible use as fixed defenses prompted disagreement over guns, ammunition, and deterrent value.

Amphibious WarfareBattleshipsJapanese NavyNaval LogisticsPearl Harbor
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Question

If Japan captured Hawaii, could it raise the sunken American battleships for reuse or employ them as blockships?

Short answer

Full restoration would be costly and technically difficult. Limited use as blockships or fixed defenses was more plausible, though the availability of working guns and their deterrent value remained disputed.

Notes

Restoring Pearl Harbor's wrecked battleships would demand substantial salvage and repair resources. Dan emphasizes corrosion, existing structural holes, and the effects of residual explosives on the submerged metal. Fleet of Oceans doubts that Japan could operate the unfamiliar machinery and armament, especially without usable ammunition and working turrets. Alex Clarke instead proposes refloating selected hulls enough to position them as fixed defenses, using any workable turrets. Even uncertain gun capability could force an American attacker to treat the wrecks as targets and commit more force. Their disagreement extends to the American response: a two-year pause is suggested, while Clarke expects recovery of the exposed US carriers followed by an effort to retake Hawaii.