USS Nevada: The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and Nuclear Blasts
Discovery of the Wreck
The wreck of the USS Nevada, a legendary battleship that survived both world wars and nuclear bomb testing, has been discovered off the coast of Hawaii. Researchers from SEARCH Inc. and Ocean Infinity located the Nevada more than 15,400 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, using advanced underwater survey technology.
The exact location of the wreck had been unknown for decades, despite the fact that the United States Navy knew the general vicinity of its sinking. The discovery was made possible by a collaboration between SEARCH and Ocean Infinity, whose survey vessel happened to be near the site of the Nevada’s sinking.
A Historic Battleship
The USS Nevada was a 27,500-ton battleship that was commissioned in 1916. It served in both World War I and World War II, playing a significant role in several major battles.
During the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Nevada was the only battleship able to get underway. Despite being hit by multiple torpedoes and bombs, its crew managed to run the flaming ship aground, enabling it to undergo repairs and resume active combat by May 1943.
The Nevada also participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944, providing support for Allied soldiers landing on Utah Beach. It later participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, sustaining damage in separate kamikaze and artillery attacks.
Nuclear Bomb Testing
After World War II, the Nevada was assigned to serve as a target during nuclear bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. In 1946, a slightly off-target, 23-kiloton aerial detonation and an underwater atomic blast left the ship damaged and radioactive—but still afloat.
The Nevada ultimately met its end in July 1948, when it was scuttled during a training exercise. Despite a four-day shellacking by trainee ship gunners, the ship refused to sink. It finally succumbed to a single aerial torpedo.
The Wreck
The wreck of the USS Nevada is resting upside down on the seabed, visibly damaged. Its hull bears ripples left by the atomic blast, and its debris field covers some 2,000 feet of the ocean floor.
Researchers used a remotely operated vehicle to survey the wreck, revealing its remarkable resilience. Despite the severe damage it sustained, the Nevada remains a testament to the strength and determination of those who served on it.
A Symbol of Resilience
The discovery of the USS Nevada wreck is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought in World War II and the importance of preserving our maritime heritage. The ship’s story is a testament to the human spirit and the power of resilience in the face of adversity.
The Nevada’s wreck will now be protected as a historic site, ensuring that its legacy will continue to inspire future generations.