Naval ship museums and memorials around the world

[Chantry]

By country and in the case of the US, by state as well.  The US has the largest museum fleet in the world and would have been the third (maybe even the second if you only count capital ships) largest fleet in the world at the end of WWII*       Link:  https://www.hnsa.org/

 

 

* Based on major combatants. 

 

 On edit:  Of major ships in service before the end of WWII: 4 carriers, 8 battleships, 1 light cruiser, 5 destroyers, 2 destroyer escorts, 16 submarines and 2 Coast Guard cutters have been preserved as museums ships in the US.

[El Chapo]

I hope the Iowas are preserved for all eternity.  They are a national treasure.

[Cliff Hanger #3720LR]

If you're interested in submarines, I have a web page that lists some of the boats around the worlds with museums.

 

http://www.cliffhangershideout.com/subpirates/world_submarines/SP_index.html

 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

The last "British" battleship.

 

 

[Chantry]

27 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

The last "British" battleship.

 

 

 

I'd love to visit that ship, but Japan is a very long flight for someone who hates to fly.    While the USS Olympia is a bit smaller, it's the closest in spirit and right across the river from the USS New Jersey.

[Sixgun Sheridan]

Unfortunately a lot of these ships are in big trouble. Without a full-time crew of sailors to clean them up and keep the rust at bay they're all fast deteriorating. The Olympia and Texas are both in a bad way, although an effort is under way to repair the Texas. But even the other ships are constantly having to deal with corrosion and water leaks. The last time the Missouri was drydocked her hull looked like Swiss cheese in places. With the pandemic going on these ships are starving for revenue and the staff has been cut back as well. If you have a local ship you want to support please do so, because they need all the money they can get.

.

[Hendo]

6 hours ago, Cliff Hanger #3720LR said:

If you're interested in submarines, I have a web page that lists some of the boats around the worlds with museums.

 

http://www.cliffhangershideout.com/subpirates/world_submarines/SP_index.html

 

I read this book awhile back. It's a great read that highlights the stories of the subs on display in the U.S.

https://www.donkeith.com/submarines/final-patrol

[Chantry]

12 hours ago, Sixgun Sheridan said:

Unfortunately a lot of these ships are in big trouble. Without a full-time crew of sailors to clean them up and keep the rust at bay they're all fast deteriorating. The Olympia and Texas are both in a bad way, although an effort is under way to repair the Texas. But even the other ships are constantly having to deal with corrosion and water leaks. The last time the Missouri was drydocked her hull looked like Swiss cheese in places. With the pandemic going on these ships are starving for revenue and the staff has been cut back as well. If you have a local ship you want to support please do so, because they need all the money they can get.

.

 

There are also serious efforts being made to repair the USS Olympia.  It is definitely worth visiting the USS Olympia if you have a chance.  It is interesting ship, parts of it remind me strongly of the USS Constitution, with it's officer's cabins and broadside lay out of the secondary guns.  Other parts remind me of the WWII warships many of us are familiar with the turrets and armor conning towers. 

[Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795]

The U.S.S. Cod is currently in Erie,Pa. getting some badly needed repairs done. From pics  of her after they got her into dry dock, swiss cheese is an apt description. I believe the North Carolina is having problems as well. The New Jersey and Wisconsin are in eastern ports, but haven't seen how they're fairing.

[Cliff Hanger #3720LR]

I have always thought the museum ships that are placed on land where a better idea.

Not only could you go through the ships, you could get near under them to look over the bottoms of these war relics.

This would remove the sitting in water attack on the metal hulls.

[Grizzly Adams 3674]

The only way to save and preserve these ships is to set them on land docks like the Mikasa.  USS Olympia barely escaped being sunk as a reef a few years ago.   

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

6 hours ago, Cliff Hanger #3720LR said:

I have always thought the museum ships that are placed on land where a better idea.

Not only could you go through the ships, you could get near under them to look over the bottoms of these war relics.

This would remove the sitting in water attack on the metal hulls.

There's been a plan to do that with USS Texas, but the funding isn't available at this time.

 

USS Batfish had been on dry land for decades in Muskogee, OK, but flooding from the nearby river in 2019 refloated her from her berth, causing much damage. Efforts are underway to re-secure her sometime next year.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Batfish_(SS-310)