Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:50:31-4:51:42

Who takes Arizona's place in Battleship Row?

Nevada is the likeliest ship to occupy the empty berth, although changing the double-berthing pattern could expose Oklahoma or West Virginia instead.

Attack On Pearl HarborBattleship RowUSS Arizona (BB-39)USS NevadaUSS Oklahoma (BB-37)USS West Virginia (BB-48)
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Question

If USS Arizona were being refitted at Bremerton on 7 December 1941, which ship would take her place under the Japanese bombers?

Short answer

Probably Nevada, although Oklahoma or West Virginia could occupy the exposed berth if the battleship moorings were rearranged.

Notes

Removing Arizona for a Bremerton refit changes the geometry of Battleship Row rather than removing the Japanese attack plan. Nevada could shift into Arizona's berth, making her the most direct candidate to receive the heavy armor-piercing bombs aimed there. A different mooring arrangement might instead move Oklahoma or West Virginia from a double berth into the exposed position. Some bombs would also be redistributed once the attacking aircraft encountered a different target pattern. The answer emphasizes that Pearl Harbor damage depended on where individual ships were moored as well as on their intrinsic protection.