If you've always wondered what the inside of a Navy submarine looks like, but could never find the opportunity to do so, then a visit to the USS Albacore is a must-do on your next foray to Portsmouth.<
The now retired navy submarine was designed and built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and holds the distinction of being the first boat ever to be designed to navigate underwater territories. In fact, the ship has served as a sea-going test platform in the period between 1953 and 1972. Today, this magnificent ship rests at a small park, painstakingly restored to much of her former splendor. The park is now called the Albacore Park and houses the Memorial Garden, a quiet area dedicated to submarines lost during World War Two and the Cold War. Of particular interest to visitors of all ages is the dolphin, carved of black Canadian granite, which is considered a symbol of the submarine service.
The Albacore Park also houses a museum, which is located within the Visitor Center and displays photographs and artifacts pertaining to the Albacore and several other noteworthy submarines of her time. The best way to explore the Albacore is undoubtedly on an audio tour, which begins at the Visitor Center and provides many valuable insights on the Albacore, some of her path-breaking features as well as her story as recounted by members of her former 55-strong crew. These self-guided tours are equipped with outdoor podiums and panels, which have push buttons which spout narratives at every pit-stop on your Albacore exploration. You can venture into the living quarters of the submarine's crew, their workstations and also peer through an authentic periscope.
At the end of your tour, don't forget to visit the Gift Shop which houses books and exciting memorabilia to take home with you as a souvenir of your visit. The USS Albacore is open to visitors from 9:30 am to 5 pm, everyday in the summer months and from 9:30 am to 4 pm in winter. Admission is charged at about $5 with special discounts for children, families and seniors.
For further information, you can refer to the website http://www.ussalbacore.org or contact the Visitor Center at 603-436-3680.
The USS Albacore Navy Submarine
600 Market Street,
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801
