Good Submarine Museums

ShadowOps · 12-22-10, 02:49 AM

I am planning my vacation for this summer and I want to check out one or (hopefully) more Museum Submarines. I have been doing my research but finding examples of them is difficult. So now I am here asking which ones have you been to and which was your favorite. The only thing is that I have to unfortunately keep this trip within the United States. I don't have the time or money to make this an international affair.

Schroeder · 12-22-10, 06:22 AM

The Pampanito is in San Francisco.
http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm

...and I only saw it from far away.

McBeck · 12-22-10, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

The Pampanito is in San Francisco.
http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm

...and I only saw it from far away.

Been there twice - loved it. If you are lucky, it will have some of the actual subsimmers there to let you know how it was to serve.

Armistead · 12-22-10, 07:47 AM

Patriots Point in Charleston SC is a great WW2 stop. The Yorktown carrier is a floating museum with about 20 warbirds. The ship models are amazing, hundreds of them. You could spend 2 days in it. I like sitting on the bridge and listening to the actual battles as they were heard.

The Clagamore sub is still there. I heard they were going to scrap it, but believe they have gotten funds since. Was a Balao converted to a Guppy.
Overall, it still needs a lot of work and you get limited access, not the best visit for a sub, but nice over all.

Also a WW2 DD there, somers class, but may still be in dry dock being redone, so check.

Why you're in Charleston you can check out the Hunley, civil war sub. Course Charleston being a historic town plenty of other things to see.

http://www.patriotspoint.org/

razark · 12-22-10, 09:26 AM

This book may interest you if you are trying to find museum boats from WWII to look at. It tells a brief history of each of the boats:
http://www.amazon.com/Final-Patrol-S...3027927&sr=8-1

TLAM Strike · 12-22-10, 10:15 AM

In Buffalo NY I know there is a WWII era fleet boat, destroyer and cruiser all with post war conversions.

I've never been but I want to go some day.

Takao · 12-22-10, 10:41 AM

It would help to know where you are planning on staying(general area), how long are you planning on being in the US, and how much you want to spend on travel time.

AFAIK, this list is up-to-date concerning sub museums.
http://www.submarinemuseums.org/

As always, it is best to contact the museums you are planning on visiting, just to confirm their operating hours, some subs, such as the USS Ling, don't have "standard" hours, so it is a good idea to call before visiting.

"Battleship Cove" in Fall River, Mass. is definitely worth a visit and has several ships to see. Also, The USS Intrepid museum in NYC has several ships, including the USS Growler, a post-war cruise missile submarine.

Growler · 12-22-10, 10:46 AM

USS Torsk, a Tench class boat that sank the last warships of WW2, is in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, along with USS Constellation, the last all-sail warship built by the USN, WHEC-37 Taney, the last warship still afloat that was in Hawaii on 7 Dec 41, and an example of both a screwpile lighthouse and a diesel-electric lightship (LV-116, marked "CHESAPEAKE"). Go on a Saturday morning to meet the gang from the Torsk volunteer association, some of whom actually served aboard Torsk while she was still in commission, and who continue to serve aboard today.

August · 12-22-10, 12:04 PM

http://www.ussnautilus.org/

Jimbuna · 12-22-10, 04:33 PM

You know something...you guys are royally spoilt for naval museums

Unlike us poor Brits

Growler · 12-22-10, 04:42 PM

Buna, the door's open here; anytime, mate. Just because my POS rig didn't handle GWX well (read: at all) doesn't mean that I've forgotten having the chance to test it before release.

Jimbuna · 12-22-10, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Growler

Buna, the door's open here; anytime, mate. Just because my POS rig didn't handle GWX well (read: at all) doesn't mean that I've forgotten having the chance to test it before release.

I'm sorry but I'm not quite understanding what you mean.

Probably me having a sober moment but if you could kindly explain?

ShadowOps · 12-22-10, 05:17 PM

Thank you guys for all the suggestions, I will continue to look into this a bit more based on some of the places named below (or above depending on your settings)

@Takao I live in the United States and will be staying in an area depending on which area has the most to offer as far as naval museums are concerned. I live in Texas and I dont really want to take a trip really far up North because of the price of airfare. Also thank you for the advice, I will keep that in mind when I decide on one.

@TLAM Strike Do you know if you can enter the museums in Buffalo? So far that sounds the most interesting to me. I will look that up.

Also, just to get it cleared so no one mentions it, I have been to the following museums:

-USS Lexington (Corpus Cristi, TX)
-USS Midway (San Diego, CA)
-USS Texas (San Jacinto State Park, Houston, Texas)

I have looked into the Pampanito and Ling. I do however like the idea of going to see the USS Yorktown in Charleston. It has alot to offer, not just the carrier but the whole city and its one of the farther south museums meaning I wouldnt have to spend so much on travel, leaving me more time and money to enjoy myself.

The Torsk sounds interesting too. Heck they all sound interesting.

TLAM Strike · 12-22-10, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowOps

@TLAM Strike Do you know if you can enter the museums in Buffalo? So far that sounds the most interesting to me. I will look that up.

99% sure you can go aboard the three large ships there. I don't know if you can go aboard the Nasty they got parked on blocks there. There are also some funky aircraft at the museum, and a couple of tanks too.

http://www.buffalonavalpark.org/index.html

Bubblehead Nuke · 12-22-10, 09:32 PM

I enjoyed the USS Albacore museum in Portsmouth, NH. Basically they hauled it out of the water and put it on blocks, then cut two large holes in it. Thing is pretty much as it was the last time she went to sea.

The U-505 museum in Chicago is nice as well.

12-22-10, 02:49 AM	#1
ShadowOps Mate Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Freezing in my Type VII off of Norway Posts: 52 Downloads: 73 Uploads: 0	Good Submarine Museums I am planning my vacation for this summer and I want to check out one or (hopefully) more Museum Submarines. I have been doing my research but finding examples of them is difficult. So now I am here asking which ones have you been to and which was your favorite. The only thing is that I have to unfortunately keep this trip within the United States. I don't have the time or money to make this an international affair.

12-22-10, 06:22 AM	#2
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	The Pampanito is in San Francisco. http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm ...and I only saw it from far away. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

12-22-10, 09:26 AM	#5
razark Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,731 Downloads: 393 Uploads: 12	This book may interest you if you are trying to find museum boats from WWII to look at. It tells a brief history of each of the boats: http://www.amazon.com/Final-Patrol-S...3027927&sr=8-1 __________________ "Never ask a World War II history buff for a 'final solution' to your problem!"

12-22-10, 10:15 AM	#6
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	In Buffalo NY I know there is a WWII era fleet boat, destroyer and cruiser all with post war conversions. I've never been but I want to go some day. __________________

12-22-10, 10:46 AM	#8
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	USS Torsk, a Tench class boat that sank the last warships of WW2, is in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, along with USS Constellation, the last all-sail warship built by the USN, WHEC-37 Taney, the last warship still afloat that was in Hawaii on 7 Dec 41, and an example of both a screwpile lighthouse and a diesel-electric lightship (LV-116, marked "CHESAPEAKE"). Go on a Saturday morning to meet the gang from the Torsk volunteer association, some of whom actually served aboard Torsk while she was still in commission, and who continue to serve aboard today. __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

12-22-10, 07:47 AM	#4
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Patriots Point in Charleston SC is a great WW2 stop. The Yorktown carrier is a floating museum with about 20 warbirds. The ship models are amazing, hundreds of them. You could spend 2 days in it. I like sitting on the bridge and listening to the actual battles as they were heard. The Clagamore sub is still there. I heard they were going to scrap it, but believe they have gotten funds since. Was a Balao converted to a Guppy. Overall, it still needs a lot of work and you get limited access, not the best visit for a sub, but nice over all. Also a WW2 DD there, somers class, but may still be in dry dock being redone, so check. Why you're in Charleston you can check out the Hunley, civil war sub. Course Charleston being a historic town plenty of other things to see. http://www.patriotspoint.org/

12-22-10, 10:41 AM	#7
Takao Officer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 244 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	It would help to know where you are planning on staying(general area), how long are you planning on being in the US, and how much you want to spend on travel time. AFAIK, this list is up-to-date concerning sub museums. http://www.submarinemuseums.org/ As always, it is best to contact the museums you are planning on visiting, just to confirm their operating hours, some subs, such as the USS Ling, don't have "standard" hours, so it is a good idea to call before visiting. "Battleship Cove" in Fall River, Mass. is definitely worth a visit and has several ships to see. Also, The USS Intrepid museum in NYC has several ships, including the USS Growler, a post-war cruise missile submarine.

12-22-10, 12:04 PM	#9
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	http://www.ussnautilus.org/ __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

12-22-10, 04:33 PM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	You know something...you guys are royally spoilt for naval museums Unlike us poor Brits __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-22-10, 04:42 PM	#11
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Buna, the door's open here; anytime, mate. Just because my POS rig didn't handle GWX well (read: at all) doesn't mean that I've forgotten having the chance to test it before release. __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

12-22-10, 05:17 PM	#13
ShadowOps Mate Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Freezing in my Type VII off of Norway Posts: 52 Downloads: 73 Uploads: 0	Thank you guys for all the suggestions, I will continue to look into this a bit more based on some of the places named below (or above depending on your settings) @Takao I live in the United States and will be staying in an area depending on which area has the most to offer as far as naval museums are concerned. I live in Texas and I dont really want to take a trip really far up North because of the price of airfare. Also thank you for the advice, I will keep that in mind when I decide on one. @TLAM Strike Do you know if you can enter the museums in Buffalo? So far that sounds the most interesting to me. I will look that up. Also, just to get it cleared so no one mentions it, I have been to the following museums: -USS Lexington (Corpus Cristi, TX) -USS Midway (San Diego, CA) -USS Texas (San Jacinto State Park, Houston, Texas) I have looked into the Pampanito and Ling. I do however like the idea of going to see the USS Yorktown in Charleston. It has alot to offer, not just the carrier but the whole city and its one of the farther south museums meaning I wouldnt have to spend so much on travel, leaving me more time and money to enjoy myself. The Torsk sounds interesting too. Heck they all sound interesting.

12-22-10, 09:32 PM	#15
Bubblehead Nuke XO Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 435 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I enjoyed the USS Albacore museum in Portsmouth, NH. Basically they hauled it out of the water and put it on blocks, then cut two large holes in it. Thing is pretty much as it was the last time she went to sea. The U-505 museum in Chicago is nice as well.