USS Utah Live Dive

Exploring the USS Utah on a Live Dive

By Scott Pawlowski, Curator, National Park Service

The USS Utah (BB-31 and AG-16) is frequently referred to as the forgotten ship in Pearl Harbor. Many people don’t even know the ship still rests on the bottom of Pearl Harbor or that there is a memorial to the men who perished aboard on December 7, 1941. The ship, a Florida class battleship, is recognized as a National Historic Landmark for contributions to our nation’s history from 1909 until 1941. Not only did the Utah participate in the ending of World War I, saw the beginning of World War II, but the vessel contributed to preparing sailors for WWII. The ship also helped with putting a man on the moon in 1969. Read the National Historic Landmark form to understand why this highest form of protection is granted to the USS Utah by the United States. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/b95f8e2b4d2b-414c-8e37-72371292e540

This ship is revered for its many contributions to our nation’s successes and amazingly as an active cemetery. In its funerary capacity, the USS Utah is one of only two known, active underwater cemeteries in the world.

The National Park Service conducted a Live Dive on December 9 to give people a sense of what this cultural icon is like. If you are not familiar with our Live Dives, we conduct a narrated tour broadcast over the internet and in park theaters from underwater by the park’s dive team. The divers answer a few questions along the way or at the end of the broadcast from viewers. Nongovernmental divers are prohibited from diving on the site so this is an important way people can view the amazing vessel underwater.

To assist us in understanding the ship’s history better, U.S. Navy Master Diver John Hopkins, Jr, as part of Classic Diving, displayed and demonstrated a Mark V diving helmet while discussing its use in the Navy. Mr. Hopkins also discussed the extensive and often arduous efforts Navy personnel made implementing the salvage plans. These iconic helmets are the types used to salvage the Utah and all the ships in Pearl Harbor. He demonstrated the valves and connections underwater as well as talked about what working in the suit is like compared to modern day dive gear. This is a part of the Pearl Harbor story that people definitely don’t get to see and make connections to the above water memorials. You can find the USS Utah live dive recording on Pacific Historic Park’s website, www.pacifichistoricparks.org .