Named for the Golden State, BB-44 was the fifth to bear the name "California" . Commissioned 10 August 1921 she was the flagship for the Pacific Fleet (later known as Battle Fleet [Battle Force], U. S. Fleet).
On 7 December California was moored at the southernmost berth of "Battleship Row" and was with other dreadnoughts of the Battle Force when the Japanese carrier planes struck. Since she was preparing to undergo a material inspection, California's watertight integrity was somewhat impaired and, when struck, she suffered great damage. At 0805 a bomb exploded below decks setting off an antiaircraft ammunition magazine and killing about 50 men. A second bomb ruptured her bow plates. Despite valiant efforts to keep the ship afloat, the leaks could not be plugged, and California settled into the mud. Only her superstructure remained above sea level. California suffered 159 casualties during the attack, including 98 fatalities.
Following repairs California returned to action. During her abbreviated wartime service California earned 7 battle stars. California was decommissioned 14 February 1947 and was sold 10 July 1959.
Compiled from:
| Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships , 8 vols., (Navy Department, Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division, Washington, DC, 1963), Volume I, pp.14-15. |
