Dredging Up—and Blowing Up—Pearl Harbor’s Past

Dredging up—and blowing up—Pearl Harbor’s past continues to reveal remarkable remnants of history buried beneath its waters. More than 80 years after the devastating December 7, 1941, attack that launched the United States into World War II, the harbor floor still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered. Recent dredging operations near the wrecks of USS Arizona (BB-39) and USS Utah (BB-31/AG-16) have unearthed a cache of munitions, providing a chilling reminder of the day that changed history forever.

Pearl Harbor has long been a focal point for military and historical research. Routine dredging operations ensure the harbor remains navigable, but they also serve as an unexpected means of rediscovering lost wartime artifacts. In this latest excavation, Navy contractors discovered a stockpile of munitions—a haunting reminder of the chaotic and destructive attack that left thousands dead and the Pacific Fleet in ruins.

The recovered arsenal included hand grenades, rifles, small arms ammunition, and a variety of projectiles, including 5-inch, 3-inch, and massive 11-inch shells. Experts believe these remnants were lost during the attack or submerged as sinking battleships and destroyers spilled their onboard ammunition into the harbor depths. The find is both a historical treasure and a potential hazard, leading the Navy to undertake controlled detonation procedures to safely dispose of these volatile remnants.

To ensure public safety and prevent accidental detonations, the Navy has scheduled a series of controlled explosions to dispose of the recovered ordnance. These operations, conducted over multiple days, allow specialists to neutralize the potentially dangerous materials in a safe and controlled environment.

Visitors to Pearl Harbor during these detonation events may hear popping sounds echoing through the historic waters. While these noises may be startling, they serve as a powerful reminder of the deadly force that once rained down upon this very harbor. The explosions, though now controlled, are symbolic echoes of the fateful day when battleships burned, sailors fought for survival, and a nation was forever changed.

The ammunition recently uncovered likely belonged to multiple vessels that were either sunk or severely damaged during the attack. Battleships like USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma (BB-37), USS California (BB-44), and USS West Virginia (BB-48) suffered direct hits from torpedoes and aerial bombs, leading to massive onboard detonations and fires. As these vessels sank, their stored munitions either detonated in place or settled on the harbor floor, buried under layers of silt and debris for decades.

USS Arizona, now a national memorial, remains one of the most enduring symbols of the attack. Her wreckage still leaks oil—known as the “tears of the Arizona”—and serves as a final resting place for over 1,100 sailors and Marines who perished aboard. The latest discoveries near her wreckage serve as another piece of the puzzle in understanding the battle’s immediate and long-term impact.

While many of the munitions found are linked to the 1941 attack, some have been traced back to another Pearl Harbor disaster—the lesser-known West Loch explosion of May 21, 1944. During World War II, West Loch served as a staging area for LST (Landing Ship, Tank) vessels preparing for the invasion of Saipan. On that fateful day, an explosion aboard LST-353 triggered a catastrophic chain reaction, sinking six LSTs and killing hundreds of sailors and Marines.

The blast scattered munitions across the harbor, adding another layer to Pearl Harbor’s history of destruction and tragedy. As dredging efforts continue, more artifacts from both the 1941 attack and the 1944 disaster may come to light, shedding new insights into these pivotal moments in history.

With each new dredging operation, Pearl Harbor continues to reveal long-buried pieces of its past. The harbor floor remains a vast and largely unexplored time capsule, preserving remnants of one of the most infamous days in American history. Future dredging projects will likely uncover more wartime artifacts, offering historians and military experts invaluable opportunities to study and preserve these relics.

For visitors to Pearl Harbor today, these discoveries serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience of a nation that emerged from tragedy stronger than ever. As new artifacts surface, they not only enrich our understanding of history but also ensure that the stories of those who lived and died in these waters are never forgotten.