Why does the USS Arizona continue to have oil leaking from it? Why not try to clean it up?

Question

It seems like that is just damaging the environment. The military salvaged other parts of the ship, why not the leaking oil?

I'm not advocating it, just curious, as I'm sure there is a sound reason. I agree that it is very moving to see.

Answer 1

Because it would be disturbing the resting place of the brave sailors who are entombed there. She is weeping for her dead, let it be. The parts were not salvaged, and were not installed in other ships, but were removed as navigation hazards.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why does the USS Arizona continue to have oil leaking from it? Why not try to clean it up?
It seems like that is just damaging the environment. The military salvaged other parts of the ship, why not the leaking oil?

Answer 3

The wreck of Arizona remains at Pearl Harbor, a memorial to the men of her crew lost that December morning in 1941. On March 7, 1950, Admiral Arthur W. Radford, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet at that time, instituted the raising of colors over her remains; and legislation during the administrations of Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy designated the wreck a national shrine on May 30, 1962. A memorial was built across the ship's sunken remains, including a shrine room listing the names of the lost crewmembers on a marble wall. While the superstructure and 3 of the 4 main turrets were removed, the ring of one of the turrets remains visible above the water. Memorial services are regularly held in the shrine, with an ever-smaller number of Arizona survivors attending over the years. Warships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and other navies routinely salute Arizona when passing through Pearl Harbor.

As of 2007, 66 years after the explosion that destroyed Arizona, oil leaks from the hulk still rise to the surface of the water. The USS Arizona continues to leak about a quart of oil per day into the harbor. Survivors from the crew say that the oil will continue to leak until the last survivor dies. Many of the survivors have arranged for their ashes to be placed in the ship, among their fallen comrades, upon their death and cremation. The Navy, in conjunction with the National Park Service, has recently overseen a comprehensive computerized mapping of the hull, being careful to honor its role as a war grave. The Navy is considering non-intrusive means of abating the continued leakage of oil to avoid the further environmental degradation of the harbor. This abatement may very well occur when the last surviving crewmember dies.

As a tribute to the 1,177 men entombed inside, the remains will be left untouched.

Answer 4

All the other answerers are correct.

the parts were not salvaged. the superstructure and turrets were removed as part of an operation to remove the whole ship due to it being a hazard to navigation. After removing all above the water structures, a decision was made to leave the hull behind as a grave for those killed within. Much of the oil was pumped out of her fuel bunkers but without raising the ship and cleaning it completely out, it is impossible to get it all.

The small drops of oil that still rise today are are called "Sailor's Tears". The saying goes that the oil will continue to rise until the last of the surviving veterans join their comrades who perished during the original attack.

I found this poem on a poetry forum written by a Paula Finn:

I stand upon this concrete deck
And gaze into the crystal waters
Seeing the outline of a ship
Resting on the harbor floor

The wind blows soft upon my face
Ruffling the surface of the water
Then up out of the waters depths
A drop of oil rises

Across the surface a rainbow spreads
Silent in its beauty
Legend says its sailors tears
The cries of those trapped below

A drop of oil a silent tear
Fifty years and more have passed
Since that day they gave the greatest gift
On a lovely Hawaiian bay

I stand here gazing at the wall
At the names engraved in stone
Fathers and brothers, uncles and sons
Gone to the depths

Another drop glistens rainbow bright
As I add silent tears of my own
For these men who never made it home
Arizona I cry for you

http://www.ucfpics.com/DSCN0840%20(Resized).JPG

http://targetcentermass.net/images/Arizona_Memorial_wall.JPG

Answer 5

Because to fix it would require raising the ship. The oil is seaping from a variety of areas but not all are accessible.

Answer 6

I forget if they did pump out a lot of the oil back in 1941. But still you are going to have lots of heavy oil and grease in places where you couldn't remove it.

Answer 7

the parts of the ship that they salvaged was for the safe navigation of the harbor not for any other reason. it is a grave yard for the sailors and marines who died on board on 7Dec1941, and as such will not be touched as long as it does not pose a threat or danger. read about it there is lots of info on line in regards to the Arizona.

Answer 8

Disturbing the site would violate the sacredness of the resting place of many American servicemen and the structure of the ship is in a very fragile state.

Answer 9

It has become an eternal flame. It is in very small amounts and if it gets out of control they clean it up. Everytime I go there, they are controlling it. It is a reminder of the horrible event of Pearl Harbor.

Answer 10

It's a war grave and therefore is considered untouchable, and the ship has rotted so much (hence the leakage) it wouldn't survive the work without breaking up and could therefore cause more pollution.