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American History

37 Photographs of the Historic USS Pennsylvania Battleship

Battleship - USS Pennsylvania (BB-38)
1916 photo of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) in New York’s East River. historyinfotos

Recreation hour on the Pennsylvania (BB-38). The Bluejackets acquire a tropical sun-tan while the ship’s band renders its daily concert, 1938. historyinfotos
Pennsylvania (BB-38) sails along with two columns of destroyers for company in this 1930’s photo. historyinfotos
1) Captain Charles M. Cooke, Jr. took command of the battleship Pennsylvania (BB-38) in February 1941, saw her through the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that opened the Pacific War, and remained with her into 1942. Portrait photograph, taken circa 1938-1941. historyinfotos
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor – Hickam Field. historyinfotos
Pennsylvania (BB-38) in Drydock # 1 at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, with the sunken destroyer Downes (DD-375) and capsized Cassin(DD-372) in the foreground. historyinfotos
The wrecked destroyers Downes (DD-375) and Cassin (DD-372) in Drydock One at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, soon after the end of the Japanese air attack. Cassin has capsized against Downes. Pennsylvania (BB-38) is astern, occupying the rest of the drydock. The torpedo-damaged cruiser Helena (CL-50) is in the right distance, beyond the crane. Visible in the center distance is the capsized Oklahoma (BB-37), with Maryland (BB-46) alongside. Smoke is from the sunken and burning Arizona (BB-39), out of view behind Pennsylvania. California(BB-44) is partially visible at the extreme left. This image has been attributed to Navy Photographer’s Mate Harold Fawcett. historyinfotos
Stern view of the Pennsylvania (BB-38), taken on 2 March 1942, at San Francisco for refit and repairs after Pearl Harbor. historyinfotos
A VO-2 OS2U-3 is lifted off the recovery sled and about to be swung aboard Pennsylvania (BB-38) on 3 August 1943. historyinfotos
Bombarding shore installations off Guam prior to the invasion, on 20 July 1944. historinfotos
Pumped water spills from hoses as crewmen work to keep the Pennsylvania (BB-38) afloat after she was hit by an aerial torpedo during action off Okinawa 12 August 1945. The ship was saved. Hoses from gun barrels lead from ship’s flooded compartments. historyinfotos
Pennsylvania (BB-38) on 12 August 1945 at Buckner Bay, Okinawa where she was assisted by two salvage tugs in pumping the water out and later towed her to Apra Harbor, Guam.
On 6 September 1945, she was in ABSD 3 where repairs were made to cover the hole before steaming to Puget Sound Naval Yard under her own power for more extensive repairs. historyinfotos
Pennsylvania’s (BB-38) score card on Bridge. historyinfotos
1946 Crew photo. historinfotos
At sea, just prior to the first Bikini Atom Bomb Test on 15 June 1946. historyinfotos
The underwater test at Bikini shows its terrific power amid the anchored vessels, made bare seconds after its release. historyinfotos
Final moments of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) as she is expended as a target and scuttled off Hawaii on 10 February 1948. A tough ship; she survived both Bikini nuclear tests. historyinfotos
The Bell of the Pennsylvania (BB-38) on display at Erie Maritime Museum in Erie, PA. historyinfotos

 

Sources For Further Reading:

Wikimedia Commons – Elizabeth Kolb

Naval History and Heritage Command – USS Pennsylvania, Cassin and Downes

Pennsylvania Library – The “Old Falling Apart” That Held a Fleet Together

National Interest – How Battleship USS Pennsylvania Got Revenge on Japan for Pearl Harbor

Submarine Force Pacific – USS Pennsylvania Arrives in Guam for Port Visit

Post-Gazette – The USS Pennsylvania: The Exploits Of A World War II Battleship And Its Predecessors

ThoughtCo – World War II: USS Pennsylvania (BB-38)

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