Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum facts for kids
Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum and USS Razorback in the Arkansas River
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| Established | 2005 |
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| Location | 120 Riverfront Park Drive North Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Type | Maritime museum |
The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is a cool place in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It's a museum all about ships and boats, especially those with a connection to Arkansas. It opened on May 15, 2005. Here, you can see amazing items from different ships. The museum even has two real ships that were used in World War II.
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History of the Museum
The idea for this museum started in 2001. A group of U.S. Navy veterans wanted to bring the USS Razorback submarine back to America. This submarine had served in the U.S. Navy and then in the Turkish Navy.
The veterans asked the mayor of North Little Rock for help. He supported their plan. The museum officially opened in July 2005. This was about a month after the USS Razorback arrived. The museum itself is built on three large barges. These barges hold the museum exhibits, a waiting area, and a viewing deck. In November 2013, a special memorial was added. It honors the submarine USS Scorpion.
Amazing Exhibits to Explore
Discover the USS Razorback (SS-394)
The main attraction at the museum is the USS Razorback. This is a type of submarine called a Balao-class sub. It was first used in 1944 during World War II. After that, it served in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.
Later, the submarine was given to the Turkish Navy. It was called TCG Muratreis until 2001. Then, it came back to the U.S. to become a museum ship. The USS Razorback might be the longest-serving submarine still around today. It was on active duty for 57 years for both the U.S. and Turkey. You can take tours inside the Razorback. The museum even lets groups have sleepovers on the submarine!
Learn About the Hoga (YT-146) Tugboat
The museum also has another important ship called the Hoga. This was a U.S. Navy tugboat. The Hoga is famous because it was at Pearl Harbor during the attack. It helped put out fires and rescue sailors. The museum got this special boat on November 28, 2015.
These two ships, the Hoga and the Razorback, are like bookends for World War II. The Hoga was there at the very beginning of the war at Pearl Harbor. The Razorback was present in Tokyo Bay when Japan officially surrendered, ending the war.
Explore the USS Arkansas (BB-33)
The museum has an exhibit about an older battleship. This ship was called the USS Arkansas (BB-33). It was a type of battleship known as a Dreadnought. This ship was active for 34 years in the U.S. Navy. It even saw action during the occupation of Vera Cruz and Operation Overlord in World War I. You can see the ship's bell and fancy china from the officers' mess.
See the USS Arkansas (CGN 41) Exhibit
There is also an exhibit about a more modern ship. This was a nuclear-powered cruiser named USS Arkansas. In this exhibit, you can see its ship's bell and its large anchor.
Images for kids
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Starboard view of the tugboat Hoga
See also
