Back From Battleship Cove

[Subnuts]

I got back from Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA a couple hours ago, and I have to say, I had a really great time there. I spent about 2 1/2 hours exploring the Massachussets from top to bottom; by the time I was done I only had about an hour to explore the two other ships and the USS Lionfish! I'd thought the museum closed at 5:30, but it turns out they closed at 5. Thankfully, the place was pretty quiet, and I was able to get some interesting shots of the machinery spaces on the Joseph P Kennedy Jr and the Lionfish. The last time I'd been I only went down to the Second Deck of the Massachussets, but this time I was able to go down farther, walk down "Broadway" past the CIC and through the sickbay, and finally go down and explore engine room B1. There are still parts I missed, but those will have to wait for another visit.

Unfortunately, the JPK Jr. was the last ship I visited and didn't get to see much of the interior. The Hidensee was interesting, but I managed to bang my head three times when I was inside, something I didn't manage on the other ships. The Lionfish is in excellent condition, but the plexiglass panels in the control room are irritating when it comes to taking pictures. I went up in the conning tower, but had a hard time taking pictures so I just shot a quick video. By the way, anyone who's ever said American fleet boats were roomy and luxurious inside has obviously never been inside one!

I took about 140 pictures, but I was so excited by the day I accidently left my camera in my Aunt's van! Oops. Fortunately, my brother-in-law will be down her way on Saturday, and he'll return the camera so I can post my shots here. If you get a chance, be sure to set aside a good afternoon to visit Battleship Cove. The ships are in great shape, there's plenty to explore, and the admission price is decent too.

[Jimbuna]

Pictures....or it didn't happen

Sounds like a fantastic experience......looking forward to the pictures.

[Tchocky]

Yeah, it's a good day out.

I made the mistake of going in deepest February

[Subnuts]

Well, here are the pictures. Some of these didn't come out too great, but I'll get around to editing them later.

Battleship Cove as seen from Fall River Heritage Park.


This is me. Yeah, I'm not very good at smiling.


Two more views of Battleship Cove with the Braga Bridge on the left.




The Joseph P Kennedy Jr.


Bow view of PT-617.


Two shots of the interior of PT-617. The plexiglass windows are a pain to shoot through, and that's why I didn't take more.


PT-617's "bridge," with signaling lamp, radar, and twin 50-caliber machine gun.

[Morts]

Originally Posted by Subnuts

This is me. Yeah, I'm not very good at smiling.

you look like venomfangx from youtube

[Subnuts]

Two exterior shots of PT-617.


A Japanese suicide demolition boat captured on Okinawa.


The atomic bombs didn't end the war. It was a scary shark's mouth painted on the front of a boat that frightened the Japanese into surrendering.


I can't see ****, Captain! I'll be sure to fix these up when they go in my Flickr gallery.


Walking up the gangway to the Massachusetts.


Looking down on the JPK Jr. from the stern of the Massachusetts.


A bunch of cables running through a deck beam in the officer's wardroom/cafeteria and an electrical junction box. I didn't really have any reason for taking this picture, besides to demonstrate the fact that the ship's original structure is retained as often as possible.

[Subnuts]

Marine berthing space on the Massachusetts.


This shot was taken from the bow of the Massachusetts.


A similar shot, but taken a bit further aft.


No. 1 & 2 16-inch turrets.


Forward superstructure of the Massachusetts.


Looking through the sight on a Quad 40.


Hope nobody here has vertigo.


A Quad 40 mount seen from above.

[Torplexed]

Wonderful pictures! Looks like you had a great day for it. I'm so glad someone had the foresight years ago to save a few of these ships from the breakers. WW2 planes, tanks and weapons are still relatively easy to find in museums and airshows but dreadnoughts and subs are rare.

[Subnuts]

Imageshack seems to be having a rough day, so I'm switching to TinyPic for this post...

A line of twin five-inch turrets on the starboard side.


I almost knocked my camera bag through the bridge "windows" taking this shot before my aunt reminded me that there weren't any!


A rope reel. Nothing thrilling, except it's at least six feet tall!


Old Glory.


Awards and commendations.


Another shot of the No. 1 and 2 16 inch turrets.


Superstructures are cool.


I can't seem to to find this corridor in the deck plans I got before entering the museum. Anybody have any idea where it is?


Electrical box thingy.


Mark 8 torpedo in the PT Boat exhibit on the Second Deck.

[Subnuts]

The barber shop.


More of the barber shop. I hate the plexiglass, but it's the only way to keep the rooms in good condition.


The cobbler shop.


One of many displays in the Hall of Models.


1:48 scale brass model of a light cruiser whose name I can't remember.



Damage control information board.


Ventilation trunk on the Third Deck.


My Aunt Hope and Uncle Rudy begin their long walk down "Broadway," a long corridor that runs between the boiler uptakes on the Third Deck.


Five inch shell hoists and machinery.

[Jimbuna]

Fantastic photos there

[Subnuts]

The next six pictures were taken inside of Massachusetts's B1 Engine Room.



Two shots of the dental office.


Sickbay.


Another shot of the superstructure.

[Subnuts]

Hiddensee, Lionfish, and JPK Jr. as seen from the deck of the deck of the Massachusetts


Rudy at the rangefinder's position in the No. 3 turret.


The port side of the rangefinder compartment.


The breech mechanism for one of the 16 inch guns (I need to brighten this one up a bit.)


Saying Goodbye to Big Mamie.


Corridor inside the Hiddensee.


The bridge of the Hiddensee. No really, this is the bridge.


"Exterminate! Exterminate!"


Cutting-edge Soviet technology.


You can get some great shots of the other ships from the Hiddensee's deck.

[Subnuts]

76mm AK-176 gun on the bow.


Soviet naval ensign.


SS-N-2 Styx missile.


Rear view of one of the Styx launchers.


Two exterior shots of the Lionfish.


Bow torpedo tubes.


Sonar station (plexiglass again!).


Forward torpedo room.


Officer Country.

[Subnuts]

Sounding indicator in the control room (came out like crap...)


Electrical control panel.


An overall view of the control room.


Radio room on the starboard side.


The "Christmas Tree."


Crew's Mess.


Ice cream man, stab me with a pacifier.


Rudy entering the forward engine room through the after engine room hatch.


After 37 years in the Navy, Rudy doesn't seem too fazed by the interior dimensions of this sub. My mother, on the other hand...would have had a panic attack long before I reached this point!


An assortment of gadgets, gizmos, and whatzits on the after port side of the forward engine room.