There is one site that has the most visitors (70 million per year) out of any other in O’ahu: Pearl Harbor.

I had a 9:00 reservation to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. Before I boarded the boat out to the memorial, I did two sketches from the Visitors Center (one is the featured sketch and the other is below).

The Arizona is a nautical grave. On December 7, 1941 a Japanese bomb passed through four decks igniting an ammunition magazine causing a massive explosion. Sailors were incinerated instantly. This is the biggest loss of life on a single ship in US Navy history killing 1,177 sailors. About 900 sailors are entombed in the sunken battleship.

We queued up ten minutes before our boat took us across the harbor to the memorial.

The boats are run by the US Navy with enlisted men and women in uniform piloting the boat. Each boat are considered launches of the sunken Arizona, carrying the number 39, the hull number of the Arizona “BB-39”.

Before we departed, the park ranger had to remind visitors of proper decorum while at the memorial. My teacher voice was at the ready if there was any guffawing and disrespect at this solemn tomb. Luckily for me I keep said voice under wraps as visitors were respectful.

After the short ride we disembarked to the entrance of this solemn but beautiful memorial.

As we walked up the gangway a light but persistent warm rain began to fall.

The memorial is built over the sunken hull of the Arizona. You can look off towards the bow and the stern, both of which are marked by white buoys.

About half a gallon of oil from Arizona’s fuel tanks leaks to the surface everyday. When Arizona was lined up at Battleship Row in 1941, she was fully fueled. It is estimated that 79,000 gallons of oil are still aboard the Arizona.

California Coda

Before I left for Pearl Harbor, I visited a cemetery near my mom’s house in Grass Valley.

I was looking for the grave of Louis “Lou” Conter at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. After a brief search, I found it.

Why this grave? Conter was the last surviving member of the crew of the USS Arizona, where he was a quartermaster. He passed on April 1, 2024 ay the age of 102.