The USS Oklahoma: From Pearl Harbor to an Unintentionally Dramatic Exit
The USS Oklahoma, bless her steel heart, had a rough go of things during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Moored alongside her battleship buddy, the USS Maryland, Oklahoma was basically playing wingman. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a terrible parking spot.
Taking one for the Team (and the Maryland)
Japanese torpedo bombers swooped in like angry hornets, and Oklahoma was the unfortunate recipient of most of their stings. Nine whole torpedoes found their mark, turning Oklahoma's hull into a very impressive (and probably not Navy-approved) colander. The ship rolled over almost completely, landing on her side with a splash that would make Michael Phelps jealous.
Salvaging a Sunken Situation (Literally)
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
You might think this was the end of the story for Oklahoma, but the US Navy wasn't about to give up on a good battleship that easily. They embarked on a multi-year salvage operation that involved winches, divers with questionable sanity, and probably a whole lot of complaining about heavy lifting. Fun Fact: Righting a capsized battleship is apparently way harder than changing a tire.
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| What Happened To The Uss Oklahoma After Pearl Harbor |
Almost Back in the Game (But Not Quite)
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
By 1943, Oklahoma was finally upright and looking a little less like a beached whale. Unfortunately, the damage was so extensive that getting her back in fighting shape just wasn't feasible. So, after stripping her of anything useful (guns, spare anchors, you name it), Oklahoma was sent off to a scrapyard on the West Coast.
An Untimely (and Unnecessary) Demise
QuickTip: A slow read reveals hidden insights.
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Here's where things get a little...well, dramatic. While under tow to her final resting place, Oklahoma decided to make a grand exit. A storm rolled in, and the poor ship, probably still traumatized from Pearl Harbor, just gave up the ghost and sank again. Talk about going out with a bang (or should we say, a gurgle?)
How To... FAQs
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
How to Avoid Getting Sunk by Torpedoes (Besides Not Being a Battleship): Don't sail into warzones? It's a pretty good policy.
How to Right a Capsized Battleship (Just in Case): This is a question best left to the professionals. Unless you have a team of very strong friends and a lot of rope, maybe stick to inflatable pool toys.
How to Salvage a Ship (Without It Sinking Again): See previous answer. Seriously, leave it to the experts.
How to Visit the USS Oklahoma Memorial: It's located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is a beautiful tribute to the crew members who lost their lives.
How to Learn More About the USS Oklahoma: There are tons of great resources online and in libraries! Just don't try to google "How to Right a Capsized Battleship at Home." You'll thank us later.
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