Page 417 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

SUBMARINE BASE & TANK FARMS The Japanese attack force Although extensively damaged, she was ingeneously made seawor-
completely missed the Sub Base and the fuel tank farm. Had they thy and then shuttled to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California for
damaged these facilities the resulting explosion and fire would have repairs.
severely hampered the American recovery and war fighting capabil-
ity. The entire U.S. Submarine Fleet devastated the Japanese Navy USS HELM By chance, the destroyer HELM was already underway
inthe ensuing war, destroying 55% of Japan’s vast naval fleet by the in Pearl Harbor’s West Loch when the attack began. During the at-
end of World War II. tack the ship sailed out of Pearl Harbor, sustaining moderate damage
Then there are a few more description of what happened to the from Japanese bombs. The HELM went on to fight in the War in the
American Fleet: Pacific including the Battles of Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
A few more short stories appear on the map as well:
USS OKLAHOMA Struck by at least seven torpedoes, the ship
capsized. She was not brought upright until March of 1943, after HICKAM AIRFIELD A total of 139 people were killed and 303
which 400 bodies were recovered. The OKLAHOMA was deemed wounded at HickamAirfield. However, the base continued to serve
unsalvageable. throughout World War II as a criticalbridge for American aircraft
going to and from war zones in the Pacific.
USS CALIFORNIA Struck by two torpedoes and one 250kg bomb,
causing fire and flooding, the CALIFORNIA was repaired and reac- FORT KAMEHAMEHA Pearl Harbor Channel was protected by
tivated on May 5, 1943. The ship took part in invasions of the Mari- Coast Artillery at Fort Kamehameha, named after Hawaii’s great
anas and the Philippines, in the Battles of Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. warrior and king. Fort Weaver across the channel also protected the
harbor. However, these defenses were useless against theinfamous
USS PENNSYLVANIA This flagship was in dry dock during the Japanese air assault of December 7, 1941.
attack, and was struck by a 250kg bomb. She was repaired and ready
for service on March 30, 1942. The PENNSYLVANIA took part in
operations in the Aleutian Islands, Gilbert Islands, Marianas Islands,
and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

USS DOWNES & USS CASSIN Both of these ships appeared utterly
destroyed after numerous bombs were dropped in Dry Dock No. 1.
However, they were fixed, floated, and sent to Mare Island, Califor-
nia for complete restoration.

USS SHAW While in floating Dry Dock No. 2 the Shaw was struck
by bombs that may have been intended for the fleeing NEVADA.