The tiny tugboat that saved Pearl Harbor’s biggest ships during Japan’s surprise attack

USS Hoga’s Three-Day Ship Rescue at Pearl Harbor

When bombs fell on Pearl Harbor, a tiny tugboat named USS Hoga jumped into action. Chief McManus got his 100-foot vessel moving in just ten minutes with simple orders: help anyone.

First, the crew pulled men from burning water. Then they yanked USS Vestal away from the exploding Arizona.

As battleship Nevada took five bombs and tried to flee, Hoga and another tug pushed her safely aground at Hospital Point. For three straight days, the little tug fought fires across multiple ships.

Today, this humble hero rests at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, where you can walk her decks and touch a piece of Pearl Harbor history.

The Calm Before Japan’s Surprise Attack

December 7, 1941 started like any normal morning at Pearl Harbor.

The 100-foot tugboat USS Hoga sat quietly near the drydocks, with the crew doing their regular tasks.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Joseph McManus and his men had no idea their small boat would soon play a key role in one of America’s worst days. At 7:55 AM, Japanese planes appeared overhead.

Within moments, bombs and torpedoes hit the unprepared fleet. Black smoke rose from Battleship Row as the peaceful Sunday morning turned to chaos.

McManus Got His Tug Moving in Just Ten Minutes

Alarm bells rang throughout the harbor as the attack grew worse. While many people still tried to understand what was happening, Chief McManus jumped into action.

He gathered his crew and started Hoga’s engines. Just ten minutes after the first bombs fell, the little tugboat was moving.

Harbor Control radioed simple orders: "help wherever you can. " The small crew didn’t wait.

McManus steered toward the worst damage, where big battleships burned and sailors needed help fast.

Sailors Plucked from Burning Harbor Waters

Hoga’s crew spotted two sailors struggling in the oil-covered, burning water as they neared Battleship Row. The men had jumped from their sinking ships but now faced burning fuel spreading across the harbor’s surface.

McManus quickly moved the tug next to the tired swimmers. Crewmen reached over the rails and pulled both men to safety.

These were the first of many lives the Hoga saved that day.

The rescued sailors got first aid from the tug’s crew before Hoga continued toward the larger ships in trouble.

Vestal Pulled Free from Arizona’s Deadly Embrace

By 8:30 AM, Hoga reached the repair ship USS Vestal, which sat tied next to the battleship Arizona. The Arizona had taken many direct hits and was covered in flames.

Every minute made the danger worse for Vestal, which might catch fire too. McManus guided his tug alongside the repair ship.

Hoga’s crew threw ropes to Vestal and began pulling with all their engine power.

The tug’s propellers churned the water as they slowly pulled the ships apart, towing Vestal to safety.

A Minelayer Takes on Water After Nearby Explosion

Next, McManus turned Hoga toward USS Oglala, a minelayer serving as the main ship for the mine force. Though not hit directly, Oglala suffered bad damage when a torpedo blew up near the cruiser Helena.

The underwater blast cracked Oglala’s port side, causing fast flooding. The ship began tipping heavily to one side.

Hoga’s crew worked with other small boats to move the tilting Oglala away from Helena. This move cleared Helena’s firing space and stopped the minelayer from possibly rolling onto the cruiser.

Nevada Makes a Bold Dash for the Sea

Around 9:00 AM, the battleship USS Nevada, already hurt by a torpedo, started moving in a brave try to reach open sea. The battleship’s crew hoped to escape the tight harbor where they were easy targets.

Japanese pilots quickly spotted the moving battleship and aimed their attack at it. They knew that sinking Nevada in the narrow channel would block the harbor entrance, trapping the entire Pacific Fleet.

Bombs fell on the battleship as she steamed toward the harbor mouth.

Two Tugs Stop a Potential Harbor Disaster

Admiral Furlong, watching Nevada’s risky journey, quickly understood the Japanese plan. He ordered Hoga and another tug, YT-130, to stop the battleship before she reached the channel.

At 9:10 AM, the two small boats caught up with Nevada. Working together, they pushed the massive battleship toward the shore at Hospital Point.

Their quick work kept Nevada from sinking in the channel, which would have closed the harbor for months. The tugs saved not just a battleship but kept Pearl Harbor useful for the coming war.

Fire Hoses Battled Nevada’s Flames for Over an Hour

With Nevada safely grounded, Hoga tied up to her port bow and started fighting the wild fires that threatened to burn up the battleship’s front section.

The tug’s crew used four fire hoses and worked hard to control the flames.

For over sixty minutes, they fought intense heat and smoke while Japanese planes still flew overhead. The firefighting saved Nevada from complete ruin.

The battleship, though badly damaged, would later be fixed and return to service, helping in the D-Day landings and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The Little Tug Returns to Help More Battleships

After helping secure Nevada, Hoga returned to Battleship Row where several big ships still burned. The tug’s crew fought fires aboard Maryland and Tennessee, two battleships damaged but not sunk in the attack.

They worked with other firefighting boats, moving from ship to ship as needed. McManus put his vessel wherever the flames were worst.

The tug’s water pumps ran non-stop, providing the pressure needed for good firefighting. Despite growing tired, Hoga’s crew kept working as they tackled one fire after another.

Three Days Without Rest for Hoga’s Determined Crew

The attack ended by mid-morning, but Hoga’s work continued without stops.

For 72 straight hours, McManus and his men fought fires, moved damaged ships, and helped with rescue work. They took short breaks when possible, but never fully stopped.

The tug helped clear wreckage and worked to recover bodies from the harbor.

By December 9, when they finally ended emergency operations, the crew had been working non-stop for three days.

A Small Boat Earns Big Recognition

In February 1942, Admiral Chester Nimitz personally commended Chief McManus and the entire crew of USS Hoga for their actions during and after the attack.

The little tugboat had played an outsized role in limiting the disaster at Pearl Harbor.

Hoga continued serving through World War II and beyond, finally being decommissioned in 1996 after a remarkable 48-year career.

Today, the historic vessel resides at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in North Little Rock, where visitors can walk her decks and learn about the day a small tug made a big difference in American history.

Visiting City of Oakland (USS Hoga) (Tug), Arkansas

You can visit the USS Hoga at 120 Riverfront Park Drive in North Little Rock for $10 (kids 5-12 pay $4, military and seniors $7. 50).

This Pearl Harbor survivor offers self-guided tours through the tug that rescued damaged ships during the attack. The museum has Pearl Harbor displays and maritime artifacts from different vessels.

Guided submarine tours need advance reservations because groups are small. Call (501) 371-8320 for hours and reservations.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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