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 museum located along the Hackensack River in Hackensack, New Jersey. It was dedicated to New Jersey's naval history and the history of navies in general.
The most important part of its collection was the USS Ling. This was a 312-foot (95 m) long submarine from World War II. The museum's land was sold for new buildings, but the Ling is still in the river. Its future is not yet decided. Since 2007, people have tried to find a new home for the Ling.
The museum rented its riverside spot for just one dollar per year from 1972 until it closed. In January 2007, the owner of the land told the museum that the site would be sold. This meant the museum and the submarine needed to move.
Contents
Exploring the Collections
Before the museum closed, visitors could take guided tours of the Ling. These tours explored the submarine from front to back. Visitors saw the equipment, living areas, and weapons.
Submarine Weaponry
The Ling carried twenty-four torpedoes. It also had one 4 in (100 mm) deck gun. This gun was used for smaller military targets that did not need a torpedo. Originally, it had two 5 in (130 mm) deck guns.
Other Historical Vessels
Volunteers also took care of other historical items. These included Japanese Kaiten IIs, which were manned torpedoes from World War II. There was also a German Seehund, a small two-person submarine from World War II. A Vietnam War-era Patrol Boat, River (PBR) was also part of the collection. The United States Navy later took back these vessels.
Onshore Exhibits
The museum building on land had many unique items. These ranged from a special vehicle used by United States Navy SEALs to personal photos and belongings of naval personnel.
Museum Closure
After Hurricane Sandy, the walkway to the submarine was destroyed. This led to the closure of both the submarine and the museum. Also, the area was chosen for a new building project.
The Naval History and Heritage Command took several artifacts from the museum. These items were in poor condition. The remaining artifacts were then stored by Harbor Freight Transport.
See also
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- List of museum ships
- Naval History and Heritage Command
