Pearl Harbor Shrapnel from USS Arizona's 16" Guns

[militbuff]

I got these items many years back from a man who worked as a machinist for the US Navy Yard in DC and later in Maryland at the US Navy Ordnance Laboratory.

 

According to him, the USS Arizona's 16" guns were brought to the DC Navy Yard to be repaired and the shrapnel from the Pearl Harbor attack was removed from the guns. I believe he was part of the crew that removed the shrapnel. He did a little write-up for me to serve as provenance. I also got a copy of his old US Navy Yard ID (he didn't want to part with his ID) and an old western union telegram offering him a job as a machinist at Pearl Harbor in October 1940 which he turned down for the Navy Yard job. Take a look at my other post for the switches a friend of his removed from the V1 and V2 German Wind Tunnel. Very interesting pieces of history!

 

 

 

[militbuff]

Telegram from USN.

 

 

 

 

[militbuff]

Note from man to me and closer up pics of shrapnel.

 

 

 

 

[militbuff]

More shrapnel pics. I can't even imagine the damage this caused.

 

 

 

[militbuff]

Last pics

 

 

[beerdragon54]

Super cool and unique

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[militbuff]

Thanks!

[The Meatcan]

Nice shrapnel bits. A question: despite the note from the vet, didn't the ARIZONA have 14" guns?

[militbuff]

Ha! You’re right. I never noticed that.

 

As I recall, he was in his 80s when I bought these items. He must have forgotten the correct size.

[katieony]

Very interesting relics!

 

Mike

[militbuff]

The shrapnel is now up for sale on ebay if anyone is interested. After 21 years, its now time to move it on to the next collector!

 

Heres the link:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/113263386249

 

Dan