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Barcos de guerra hundidos en el Pacífico durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial

Explore a poignant list of warships that met their end in the depths of the Pacific Ocean during World War II. From aircraft carriers to destroyers and submarines, this compilation details the naval losses of various nations involved in the conflict. Discover the history behind these shipwrecks, many of which still rest on the seabed, serving as silent reminders of the war's ferocity. An essential resource for historians, naval enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the impact of World War II in the Pacific.

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  1. 1

    USS Yorktown

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    The USS Yorktown was a crucial American aircraft carrier that sank in the Pacific during World War II, specifically at the Battle of Midway. Its sinking, after sustaining severe damage in the Battle of the Coral Sea and Midway, makes it a significant example of naval losses in the Pacific theater.

  2. 2

    IJN Yamato

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    The IJN Yamato was the largest and most heavily armed battleship ever built, and its sinking in 1945 by a massive U.S. carrier air attack was a decisive event. This incident symbolized the shift in naval power from the battleship to the aircraft carrier, marking a crucial milestone in the history of the Pacific War.

  3. 3

    IJN Musashi

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    The IJN Musashi was a Yamato-class battleship, the largest and most heavily armed ever built, and its sinking in the Sibuyan Sea during World War II marked a turning point in naval warfare. It succumbed to superior American airpower after being hit by approximately 19 torpedoes and 17 bombs, demonstrating the end of the battleship era against air superiority.

  4. 4

    USS Arizona

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    The USS Arizona was an American battleship sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, a pivotal event that marked the United States' entry into World War II. Its destruction, with the loss of 1,177 lives, made it an enduring symbol of naval sacrifices in the Pacific.

  5. 5

    USS Oklahoma

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    • Symbol of naval power and American strength

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    The USS Oklahoma was a Nevada-class battleship that met a tragic fate during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. It was struck by multiple torpedoes, causing it to capsize and resulting in the loss of 429 lives. Its sinking in the Pacific makes it a poignant symbol of the devastating naval losses of World War II.

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  7. 6

    IJN Kaga

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    • Key to the attack on Pearl Harbor

      (+1)

    The IJN Kaga was a crucial Japanese aircraft carrier sunk during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Its loss, along with three other carriers, represented a devastating strategic defeat for Japan in the Pacific. This event was a significant turning point in World War II, altering the course of naval operations in the region.

  8. 7

    IJN Akagi

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    The IJN Akagi was a crucial aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, whose sinking during the Battle of Midway in 1942 marked a strategic turning point in the Pacific War. Her loss, along with three other carriers, significantly contributed to the Japanese defeat and altered the course of the conflict. The Akagi's wreck was discovered in 2019, allowing for detailed study of her battle damage and current condition.

  9. 8

    USS Hornet

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    The USS Hornet was an American aircraft carrier sunk in the Pacific during World War II, specifically during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942. Its sinking by the Imperial Japanese Navy makes it a prominent example of warships lost in this theater of operations.

  10. 9

    IJN Shokaku

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    The IJN Shokaku was a crucial Japanese aircraft carrier that participated in decisive World War II events in the Pacific, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. Its sinking in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in 1944 by an American submarine makes it a significant example of naval losses during the conflict.

  11. 10

    USS Helena

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    • Sank a destroyer and damaged others

      (+2)

    The USS Helena was an American light cruiser that sank in the Pacific during World War II, specifically in the Battle of Kula Gulf in July 1943. Its loss, after being hit by three Japanese torpedoes, makes it a significant example of the warships that succumbed in the Pacific theater.

  12. 11

    IJN Mogami

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    The IJN Mogami was a Japanese heavy cruiser that sank during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, after being attacked by US Navy torpedo bombers. Its loss in one of the largest naval battles in Pacific history makes it a prominent example of Japanese warships lost in the conflict.

  13. 12

    USS Edsall

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    • Played a role in sinking Japan's I-124 submarine

      (+1)

    The USS Edsall was a Clemson-class destroyer that sank in the Pacific during World War II, following fierce resistance against a combined Japanese attack. Its wreck, discovered in 2024, offers crucial insight into the events of the Battle of the Java Sea and the fate of its crew.

  14. 13

    USS Emmons

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    • One of the premier US warships sank during wartime that is in dive-able range

      (+1)

    The USS Emmons was a Gleaves-class destroyer that sustained a devastating attack from five Kamikaze aircraft on April 6, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. This incident led to its deliberate scuttling the following day, making it a notable sunken warship in the Pacific. Its story represents a significant sacrifice and a testament to the intensity of naval combat in World War II.

  15. 14

    IJN Chikuma

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    The IJN Chikuma was a Japanese heavy cruiser sunk during the pivotal Battle off Samar in October 1944, a central event of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Its sinking represents a significant loss for the Imperial Japanese Navy in one of the largest naval engagements in Pacific history.

  16. 15

    IJN Kongo

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    The IJN Kongo was the only Japanese battleship sunk by a submarine during World War II, making it a singular naval event. Its sinking by the USS Sealion in the Formosa Strait on November 21, 1944, represents a milestone in submarine warfare and naval history.

  17. 16

    USS Gwin

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    • Saw considerable combat

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    The USS Gwin was an American destroyer sunk in the Pacific during World War II, specifically at the Battle of Kolombangara in July 1943. Its loss, caused by a Japanese torpedo, represents a significant event in the Solomon Islands campaign and in the naval history of the conflict.

  18. 17

    IJN Hiei

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    The IJN Hiei was a fast battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy that sank in the Pacific during World War II. Its loss occurred during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942, marking a significant event in the Pacific conflict.

  19. 18

    USS Ward

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    • Fired the first American shots of World War II

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    The USS Ward is notable for its historical role in firing the first American shots of World War II in the Pacific, sinking a Japanese midget submarine hours before the Pearl Harbor attack. Its sinking by a kamikaze and subsequent scuttling by friendly fire in 1944, exactly three years after its initial action, adds a layer of irony to its story in the conflict.

Frequently asked questions

This ranking includes warships from various nations that were sunk in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, whether by enemy action or self-inflicted. This ranges from destroyers to submarines and other combat vessels.
Sinking locations are based on ongoing projects to track and map ships lost during World War II, utilizing historical data and records from key naval battles in the Pacific.
This ranking focuses on ships sunk in the Pacific throughout the entire period of World War II, from September 1939 to August 1945, including events like the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
Currently, this ranking is based on documented historical information about sunken warships. If you have verifiable information about a ship you believe should be included, you can contact the platform.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

The methodology for this ranking focuses on the collection and presentation of information regarding warships sunk in the Pacific during World War II, based on historical records and mapping projects.

  • Historical Relevance: Priority is given to the inclusion of ships whose loss had a significant impact on Pacific naval campaigns or that are representative of key battles of the war.
  • Documented Sources: Information regarding sinkings, including date, cause, and approximate location, is drawn from historical records, war reports, and WWII shipwreck research projects.
  • Battle Context: The context of major Pacific naval battles, such as the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Coral Sea, or the attack on Pearl Harbor, is considered to ensure the accuracy and scope of the ranking.
  • Diversity of Ship Types: The ranking aims to represent the variety of warships involved, from large battleships and aircraft carriers to submarines and destroyers, that suffered losses in the Pacific theater.
  • The ship must have been an active warship (including submarines and service auxiliaries) during World War II.
  • The sinking must have occurred in the Pacific Ocean or its adjacent waters during the World War II period (September 1939 - August 1945).
  • The loss of the vessel must have been the result of military action, whether by enemy combat, mines, torpedoes, bombardments, or self-inflicted actions related to the conflict.
  • Priority will be given to ships whose sinking information (date, cause, and approximate location) is well-documented in historical records and reliable sources.