Pearl Harbor Shipyard

The Pearl Harbor Shipyard played a crucial role during and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, helping the U.S. Pacific Fleet recover from the devastation on December 7, 1941. Remarkably, despite the significant damage to the ships at Pearl Harbor, the shipyard itself was not a target in the Japanese assault, which proved to be a critical oversight. Located at the southern part of the harbor, the shipyard became a vital resource in repairing many of the damaged vessels during World War II.

One of the most iconic images from the attack is the explosion of the USS Shaw in the Pearl Harbor Shipyard. Despite this dramatic damage, the shipyard managed to repair many of the ships that had been hit during the assault. Over 7,000 ships were repaired there throughout World War II, underscoring the shipyard’s importance to the war effort.
For battleships like the USS Nevada and USS California, the repairs made in the Pearl Harbor Shipyard were sufficient to get these vessels seaworthy enough to travel to the mainland for further overhauls. However, for the USS Arizona and USS Utah, the damage was too extensive. These ships were not recovered for repair and remain where they sank during the attack.

The repair efforts at Pearl Harbor were impressive, particularly for the USS Nevada, which sustained a massive 48-foot-long and 25-foot-high torpedo hole. Initial attempts to patch this hole were made by divers underwater, but when these efforts proved insufficient, the Nevada was dry-docked for further repairs. Overall, divers from the shipyard spent more than 20,000 hours underwater salvaging ships and performing crucial repairs.

One of the most significant strategic mistakes made by the Japanese during the Pearl Harbor attack was failing to target the Pearl Harbor Shipyard. Many historians consider this oversight a major misstep, as destroying the shipyard would have severely hindered the U.S. Navy’s ability to repair damaged ships. In addition to the shipyard, the Japanese also neglected to destroy the oil tanks east of the shipyard and the submarine base—both of which were critical to the U.S. war effort.

The Pearl Harbor Shipyard, also known as Navy Yard Pearl Harbor, has a long history dating back to the reign of King Kalakaua when it served as a coaling station. In 2008, the shipyard celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking its century-long role in maintaining the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The shipyard covers 112 acres and includes 114 buildings and four drydocks, continuing to play a vital role in keeping U.S. Navy ships and submarines operational.

Today, the Pearl Harbor Shipyard focuses primarily on maintaining and repairing submarines, with 90% of its current workload involving Virginia-class attack submarines. Much of the work performed at the shipyard involves hazardous underwater repairs. By relying on skilled divers, the shipyard can often avoid the need for costly dry-docking, saving time and resources while ensuring the fleet remains ready for action.
In the modern era, Pearl Harbor remains a crucial hub for the U.S. Navy, carrying forward its historic legacy as a vital part of America’s naval infrastructure. Through both World War II and beyond, the shipyard has played an essential role in keeping the Pacific Fleet battle-ready and continues to do so today.