Museum

Musuem Overview

Museum Overview

Museum Overview:

Explore submarine history inside the 10,000 square foot exhibit hall where over 4,000 submarine artifacts are on display or stored for conservation. The Pacific Submarine Museum was established on Pearl Harbor Submarine Base by the U. S. Navy in 1970. In 1987 the museum was closed and artifacts transferred to Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association in July 1988. The move allowed visitors to experience the museum located along side USS Bowfin (SS-287).

Bowfin Artifacts:

Bowfin Park features the WWII submarine, USS Bowfin (SS-287). The Pacific Submarine Museum features a variety of Bowfin artifacts including flags, models and artifacts exploring their 9 successful war patrols.

Guts & Glory of a Missile!

How big is a ballistic missile? Imagine being on a submarine crew with 24 missiles ready to fire. One is on display at USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park with all of its electronics, hydraulics and propulsion elements accessible.

Anatomy of a WWII Battle Flag

Hanging from above the WWII section of the museum are reproduction battle flags of U. S. submarines that fought the war in the Pacific. The original battle flags are kept for conservation. These flags are individually designed by the crewmen of the different boats, the creativity, style and design of each varies. The one element common to all of them is the pride of the men who served.

Secrets of the Sub

Hawaii Themed Submarines

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was launched on 16 January 1965 and commissioned on 10 December 1965. This submarine holds the name for King Kamehameha the Great. It is fitting that one of our submarines bear the name of this striking figure in Hawaiian history. His people were intrepid seafarers and knowledge of stars, winds and currents still arouse wonder and admiration. For much of USS Kamehameha's service, she was based in Rota, Spain conducting deterrence patrols during the Cold War. Commissioning gifts to the submarine are on display at the museum.

USS Honolulu

USS Honolulu (SSN-718), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States to be named for Honolulu, Hawaii. She was launched on 24 September 1983 and commissioned on 6 July 1985. Honolulu’s patrols are commemorated by ten surfboards signed by the crews aboard her at the time. One of the four surfboards held at Bowfin Park is on display in the museum.

USS Hawaii

The USS Hawaii (SSN 776) is the first commissioned vessel of its name. Launched June 17, 2006 and Commissioned May 5, 2007 she is fortunate to be homeported in her namesake state. The submarine was named to recognize the tremendous support the Navy has enjoyed from the people and state of Hawaii, and in honor of the rich heritage of submarines in the Pacific.

Hawaii is the third of the Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia-class of attack submarines surpasses the performance of any current projected threat submarine, ensuring U.S. undersea dominance well into the next century.

Bowfin Museum collections include models of all three submarines.