New Jersey Naval Museum facts for kids
The USS Ling in Hackensack in 1975
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| Established | 1972 |
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| Dissolved | June 1, 2016 |
| Location | Hackensack, New Jersey, United States |
| Type | Naval |
| Key holdings | USS Ling, Japanese Kaiten IIs, German Seehund |
| Owner | Submarine Memorial Association |
The New Jersey Naval Museum (NJNM) was a special place located by the Hackensack River in Hackensack, New Jersey. It was a museum dedicated to showing off New Jersey's history with ships. It also shared the wider story of naval history. The most important part of its collection was the USS Ling. This was a huge World War II submarine. It was 312-foot (95 m) long!
The museum opened in 1972. For many years, it paid only one dollar per year to rent its riverside spot. Sadly, the museum closed down. The land where it stood has been sold for new buildings. The Ling submarine is still there, stuck in the river. Its future is not clear. People have been trying to find a new home for the Ling since 2007.
Exploring the USS Ling
Before the museum closed, visitors could take guided tours inside the Ling. You could explore the submarine from one end to the other. You would see all its equipment. You could also see where the crew lived and its weapons. The Ling had twenty-four torpedoes. It also had a 4 in (100 mm) deck gun. This gun was used for smaller targets. These targets did not need a torpedo.
The museum also had other cool items. These included a Japanese Kaiten II. This was a special manned torpedo from World War II. There was also a German Seehund. This was a small, two-man submarine from World War II. A Vietnam War-era Patrol Boat, River (PBR) was also part of the collection. The US Navy has since taken back these items. The museum building on land had many unique things. These ranged from a special vehicle used by United States Navy SEALs to personal photos and items.
Why the Museum Closed
The museum faced challenges. After Hurricane Sandy, the gangway was destroyed. This made it unsafe to go inside the submarine. This led to the closure of both the sub and the museum. Also, the area was chosen for a new building project. The Naval History and Heritage Command has taken some artifacts. These were items that were in bad condition. The remaining artifacts are now stored by Harbor Freight.
See also
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- List of museum ships
- Naval History and Heritage Command
