It was thought that none of the torpedo technology at the time would have been capable due to the shallowness of Pearl. Yet the Japanese used a little engineering to make that successful.
The oil embargo, instituted by the US, led directly to the conflict. But as with all instigations, the US thought it would end quickly.
Had Adm. Kimmel known of an approaching attack, he would have had the fleet at sea, instead of anchored at Pearl, and the loss of life might have been greater. He was that aggressive and a dis-service was paid to him by being made the scapegoat.
Needless to say Pearl was the ONLY time, the Japanese planned and practiced so much for one mission, and they thought that the US forces would detect them and a great sea battle would ensue. They were prepared to throw the dice on the one decisive battle, but not on a campaign, which they were ill-prepared and equipped.
“The oil embargo, instituted by the US, led directly to the conflict. But as with all instigations, the US thought it would end quickly.”
Instigation/provocation, maybe. But not in the sense that war was what we wanted, methinks. More like how it is with Iran nowadays, only vastly harsher. We knew Japan was bad news and wanted to intimidate and neutralize them. If it came to war, we probably thought we could take ‘em. As for desiring war, I doubt it. Just like almost no one wants to go to war with Iran. Just like no hardly ever wants to go to war. But we all play these gaes, and kinda sometimes do want it, but don’t, but do, but don’t, but do...
Depends on how much warning & the state of the boilers on battleship row. It ain't like today with gas turbine engines. You don't flip a switch & get immediate full power. You had to 'raise steam' before you could really get underway.
IIRC, only Nevada was able to make a break for it. I don't know that any of the other battleships were anywhere near ready to cast off.
Then you have the problem of where to rally the fleet, and under what protection. The Army Air Forces probably would have been of little value outside of the immediate harbor area. A coordinated air defense between Army fighters & Navy ships? Remember what happened when Army transport planes ferrying part of the 82nd Airborne overflew the Sicily invasion fleet (1943) -- they got wasted by their own Navy's AA guns.