Inside Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum - Pearl Harbor Hawaii

Описание: DEEP DIVE: Inside the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum at Pearl Harbor

Welcome to one of the most immersive and technologically advanced museums in Hawaii. While many visitors to Pearl Harbor focus on the massive battleships, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum offers a haunting and heroic look into the "Silent Service"—the men and machines that operated beneath the waves to change the course of history.

In this video, we step inside the newly renovated museum galleries and walk the hallowed grounds of the Waterfront Memorial. We explore the evolution of submarine warfare, from the experimental "diving boats" of the early 1900s to the high-stakes nuclear deterrence of the Cold War.

🌊 THE WATERFRONT MEMORIAL: "ETERNAL PATROL"
Our tour begins outside at the Waterfront Memorial, arguably the most emotional site in the museum. Along the quiet harbor edge, 52 white granite markers stand in a row. Each one represents a U.S. submarine lost during World War II.

In the submarine service, a vessel is never referred to as "sunk"—it is said to be on "Eternal Patrol." As you walk past these markers, you will see the names of boats like the Wahoo, the Tang, and the Grunion, along with the staggering number of crewmen lost with each one. During WWII, the Submarine Force suffered the highest casualty rate of any branch in the U.S. military, with 1 in 5 submariners never returning home. This memorial is a physical reminder of that ultimate sacrifice.

⚓ OUTDOOR ARTIFACTS & TACTICAL EXHIBITS
Before heading inside, the museum grounds feature several massive artifacts that showcase the brutal reality of naval history:

The Kaiten (Japanese Suicide Torpedo): See a rare, recovered Japanese Kaiten. This human-piloted torpedo was used in the final, desperate years of the war. Seeing the tiny cockpit and the sheer scale of the weapon provides a chilling perspective on the extremes of Pacific combat.

The McCann Rescue Chamber: Explore the actual steel "diving bell" used in the 1939 rescue of survivors from the USS Squalus. It remains the only successful deep-sea rescue of its kind and highlights the constant danger submariners face from the ocean itself.

The Conning Towers: Walk among the "sails" of legendary submarines like the USS Parche, the most decorated ship in the history of the U.S. Navy. These massive steel structures were the command centers of the boats, and seeing them up close gives you a true sense of the scale of Cold War-era vessels.

🏛️ THE INDOOR GALLERIES: THREE ERAS OF SILENCE
Following a multi-million dollar renovation, the indoor museum is now a state-of-the-art facility featuring interactive touchscreens, rare artifacts, and immersive soundscapes. The museum is divided into three distinct galleries:

1. The Pioneers (1900–1941): Learn about the early "S-Boats" and the brave volunteers who operated in gasoline-fume-filled tanks before the advent of diesel-electric power. This gallery features original blueprints and the personal stories of the men who pioneered undersea navigation.

2. World War II: The Silent Victory (1941–1945): This is the heart of the museum. Discover how U.S. submarines, making up less than 2% of the Navy, were responsible for sinking over 55% of all Japanese shipping. Explore tactical maps, see original "Zoot Suits" (the lightweight uniforms worn in the sweltering tropical heat), and learn about the "Wolf Pack" tactics that crippled enemy supply lines.


3. The Cold War & The Nuclear Age: Step into the era of strategic deterrence. From the first cruise-missile-launching subs to the arrival of the USS Nautilus and the nuclear-powered fleet of today, this gallery explains how submarines became the ultimate invisible deterrent. You can even look through a functioning periscope to scan the horizon of modern-day Pearl Harbor.

🥾 PLANNING YOUR VISIT
If you are visiting Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is located just outside the main National Park Service gate.

Bag Policy: The same strict Pearl Harbor security rules apply. No bags of any kind (purses, backpacks, camera bags) are allowed. Bag storage is available at the entrance for a fee.

Tickets: Admission is required for the museum and can be purchased on-site or as part of a "Passport to Pearl Harbor."

Duration: We recommend at least 60 to 90 minutes to fully explore the indoor galleries and the outdoor memorial grounds.

Location: 11 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, HI 96818.