USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is a maritime museum and historic site located on the waterfront of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The museum complex is centered around the World War II-era Balao-class submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287), which is preserved as a National Historic Landmark. The adjacent park and indoor galleries feature extensive exhibits on submarine warfare, naval history, and the technological evolution of the United States Navy's Silent Service.

History

The museum was founded in 1979 by the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of American submarine veterans. The USS Bowfin (SS-287) itself was saved from the scrapyard and towed from the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California to Hawaii in 1979. After a significant restoration effort, the submarine and its accompanying museum grounds officially opened to the public in 1981. The site was strategically chosen for its proximity to the USS Arizona Memorial and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, creating a cohesive historical destination. The submarine was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986, recognizing its exceptional service during the Pacific War.

Exhibits and attractions

The museum's indoor galleries, known as the Bowfin Submarine Museum, house a vast collection of artifacts, models, and interactive displays. Key exhibits include an extensive array of torpedoes, from early World War I designs to modern Mark 48 models, and a detailed collection of submarine-related weaponry. The Waterfront Memorial honors the 52 United States submarines and over 3,500 submariners lost during World War II. Outdoor displays feature a Kaiten human torpedo, a Regulus missile, and the sail of the USS Parche (SSN-683). The park's grounds also contain a Cuban Missile Crisis-era Soviet Foxtrot-class submarine sail and a memorial garden.

USS Bowfin (SS-287)

The Balao-class submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287) was launched on December 7, 1942, the first anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Commissioned in 1943 under the command of Commander Joseph H. Willingham, it conducted nine successful war patrols in the Pacific Theater of Operations. The Bowfin, nicknamed the "Pearl Harbor Avenger," is credited with sinking 44 enemy vessels, totaling over 179,000 tons, which ranks it among the top American submarines for tonnage sunk. Its wartime service included operations in the South China Sea, the Java Sea, and off the coasts of Japan and Okinawa. After the war, it served as a training vessel before being decommissioned in 1971. Visitors can take a self-guided audio tour through its restored compartments, including the torpedo room, control room, and engine room.

Education and programs

The museum operates a robust educational division, offering curriculum-based programs for students that align with Hawaii Content and Performance Standards. Programs range from guided tours focusing on STEM principles applied in submarine technology to historical analyses of the Pacific War. The museum hosts an annual Veterans Day ceremony and participates in commemorative events for the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Specialized tours and lectures are often provided by veteran submariners and historians from organizations like the Naval Historical Center. The museum also supports the Bowfin Scholarship Fund, which aids descendants of United States Submarine Force personnel in pursuing higher education.

Visitor information

The museum is located at 11 Arizona Memorial Drive, directly adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. It is open daily, except for major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Admission includes access to the museum galleries, the outdoor park, and a self-guided tour of the USS Bowfin (SS-287). The site is a popular stop for visitors to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and is included in many tour packages operated by companies like Roberts Hawaii and Polynesian Adventure Tours. The museum store offers a wide selection of maritime books, models, and memorabilia. Parking is available on-site, and the facility is accessible via public transportation from Honolulu.

Category:Museums in Hawaii Category:Maritime museums in the United States Category:Military and war museums in Hawaii Category:National Historic Landmarks in Hawaii Category:Tourist attractions in Honolulu County, Hawaii