Enigma
05-20-06, 05:41 PM
http://www.heiszwolf.com/subs/becuna/becuna05.jpg
I took a drive up the Philadelphia this afternoon to take a look at the Becuna. From its web site...:
Launched in 1944, Submarine Becuna (SS-319) completed five wartime patrols in the Pacific Ocean. Becuna is similar to many submarines built in Philadelphia for the US Navy.
Becuna is a BALAO-class submarine built in New London, CT. During World War II, "Becky" prowled the Pacific for Japanese ships, and is credited with sinking 3.5 Japanese merchant ships. Click here to read more about Becuna's wartime patrols. Modernized in 1951, it is the only Guppy 1-A submarine on display. Becuna's Cold War missions often found her in the Atlantic, trailing Soviet submarines with eavesdropping equipment aboard.
Becuna was decommissioned in 1969 and has been part of Independence Seaport Museum's Historic Ship Zone since 1996.
Theres some good reading here about her patrol history:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7612/bechist.html
My personal input is that the boat is an astounding sight. Its really difficult when standing beside such a boat to imagine it submerged or surfacing, due to its sheer size, despite that its a small boat by modern standards. It certainly isnt in the best of shapes, but overall the boat looks ready to go. It was neat to inspect one of her Torps mounted beside the boat, along with both of her prop blades alongside. I just kinda stood there staring at it for a long time trying to imagine the men who sailed upon her, and the action she had seen. All in all, an amazing visit. I plan to go back soon on a day in which I can get onboard and have a look around....
I took a drive up the Philadelphia this afternoon to take a look at the Becuna. From its web site...:
Launched in 1944, Submarine Becuna (SS-319) completed five wartime patrols in the Pacific Ocean. Becuna is similar to many submarines built in Philadelphia for the US Navy.
Becuna is a BALAO-class submarine built in New London, CT. During World War II, "Becky" prowled the Pacific for Japanese ships, and is credited with sinking 3.5 Japanese merchant ships. Click here to read more about Becuna's wartime patrols. Modernized in 1951, it is the only Guppy 1-A submarine on display. Becuna's Cold War missions often found her in the Atlantic, trailing Soviet submarines with eavesdropping equipment aboard.
Becuna was decommissioned in 1969 and has been part of Independence Seaport Museum's Historic Ship Zone since 1996.
Theres some good reading here about her patrol history:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/7612/bechist.html
My personal input is that the boat is an astounding sight. Its really difficult when standing beside such a boat to imagine it submerged or surfacing, due to its sheer size, despite that its a small boat by modern standards. It certainly isnt in the best of shapes, but overall the boat looks ready to go. It was neat to inspect one of her Torps mounted beside the boat, along with both of her prop blades alongside. I just kinda stood there staring at it for a long time trying to imagine the men who sailed upon her, and the action she had seen. All in all, an amazing visit. I plan to go back soon on a day in which I can get onboard and have a look around....