USS Nevada
Battleship · United States · Lost 1948 · The Hawaiian Islands
The only ship afloat during the Pearl Harbor attack that survived to fight through the war and two atomic bomb tests, finally sunk as a target in 1948.
The Vessel and Her Loss
USS Nevada was damaged at Pearl Harbor in 1941 but was the only battleship to get underway during the attack. Repaired and returned to combat, she later survived two atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll before being sunk as a gunnery target off Hawaii in 1948. Her wreck was located in over 15,000 feet of water in 2020.
Vessel
- 1916
- BB-36
- Fore River Shipbuilding Company
- Quincy, Massachusetts
- Steel
- 583 ft
- Not established
- Not established
- Steam turbine, four screws
- United States Navy
Loss
- July 31, 1948
- Intentional sinking
- About 65 nautical miles southwest of Pearl Harbor, Oahu
- Pacific Ocean
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 15400 ft
- Largely intact on the deep seafloor, with visible battle damage and atomic-test markings.
- Not established
- 2020
- Sunken Military Craft Act protections apply
Position
- 21.08° N 158.52° W
- Approximate position
- Southwest of Pearl Harbor, Oahu
Position derived from the 2020 discovery announcement of roughly 65 nautical miles southwest of Pearl Harbor.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Well documented (90/100)
Journal of Maritime Archaeology
Discovery, site documentation, ship history.
Discovery location and depth.
