Was the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor During the Attack?

Common misconceptions often arise from the sheer confusion surrounding the involvement of different ships named ldquo;USS Missourirdquo; during the historical context of World War II. This article aims to clarify whether the vessel known officially as USS Missouri BB-63 was present at Pearl Harbor during the infamous attack in 1941.

The USS Missouri Story

A lot of confusion stems from the various iterations of the USS Missouri throughout history. Each iteration of the name ldquo;USS Missourirdquo; had its unique role and location during World War II. From its earlier origins to later constructions, letrsquo;s dive into the details:

Early Ships Named ldquo;USS Missourirdquo;

1. USS Missouri Sidewheeler (1843): The first ship named ldquo;USS Missourirdquo; was a sidewheeler steamboat commissioned in 1843. This vessel served the US Navy in the 1840s, though it was eventually destroyed by fire in 1845.

2. USS Missouri BB-11: Another ship named ldquo;USS Missourirdquo; was a battleship that served during the early 20th century. It was broken up for scrap in the early 1920s during the interwar period.

USS Missouri BB-63 (The Right One!)

The correct answer to the question revolves around the USS Missouri BB-63. This battleship, a legitimate carrier of the same name, entered the stage later in the war. Constructed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, its involvement in historical events centers around its post-war years rather than its existence before or during the Pearl Harbor attack.

Location and Timeline

Initial Construction: Laid down on 6 January 1941, the keel for the USS Missouri (BB-63) was laid in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The ship was launched on 29 January 1944, nearly three years after the Pearl Harbor attack.

Construction Period: From its initial laying down to its launch, the ship was never present at Pearl Harbor. Moreover, it had not even left the Brooklyn Navy Yard by the time of the event in 1941.

Navigating the Timeline

It's crucial to understand that the timing of the ship's construction and its launch place it in a different theatre altogether. While many resources refer to ships named ldquo;USS Missourirdquo; in the context of World War II, it is the USS Missouri BB-63 that would be relevant. Therefore, a clear distinction must be made:

The USS Missouri SSN-780, a nuclear submarine, was not even conceived of then. The USS Missouri BB-63 was built in Brooklyn, New York, from 1941 to 1944, and thus was not present at Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to the question ldquo;Was the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor during the attack?rdquo; is a resounding ldquo;No.rdquo; Though much confusion can arise due to various ships named ldquo;USS Missouri,rdquo; it is the battleship USS Missouri BB-63 that never played any part in the events at Pearl Harbor.

By understanding the timeline and the location of the USS Missouri during its construction and launch, we can accurately address such misconceptions that arise in historical discussions. This clarification is crucial for preserving historical accuracy and educating the public about the specific roles and timelines of these famous naval vessels.