United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum facts for kids
USS Salem (CA-139)
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| Established | January 7, 1993 |
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| Location | Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Type | Museum ship |
| Public transit access | Quincy Center (MBTA station) MBTA bus routes 220, 221, 222 (schedules) |
The United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum is a special museum located in Quincy, Massachusetts. It's a private, non-profit museum that teaches visitors about naval history and how ships are built. The main attraction is the USS Salem (CA-139). This large ship is a heavy cruiser and is docked at the old Fore River Shipyard. The Salem was actually built there in 1945. The museum first opened in 1993. This happened because local people and volunteers wanted to bring life back to the shipyard area. The shipyard had closed down in 1986. Inside the Salem, you can find many exhibits. These exhibits tell the story of the United States Navy and shipbuilding.
History of the Museum
The Fore River Shipyard in Quincy had a long history of building ships. It operated for 102 years. But in 1986, the company that owned it, General Dynamics Corporation, closed it down. This was the end of an era for shipbuilding in Quincy. Many ideas came up for what to do with the shipyard.
In 1992, a group of volunteers had a great idea. They wanted to buy a ship that was built at the shipyard. Then, they would bring it back to Quincy and turn it into a museum. This museum would celebrate the shipyard's history. Local officials helped them with this plan. The museum was officially started in 1993. It was created to "acquire, refurbish and maintain United States naval ships." The goal was for it to become a major attraction for everyone.
At first, they tried to get the USS Lexington (CV-16). But in 1994, the city and the volunteers succeeded in getting the Salem. The USS Salem was moved from Philadelphia. On October 30, 1994, the Salem returned home to Quincy. It was permanently docked right where it was built almost 50 years before.
What You Can See at the Museum
The USS Salem is a very long ship, about 717 feet (218 meters) long. This means there's a lot of space for museum exhibits. Visitors can also explore many parts of the ship itself. You can visit the Admiral's and Captain's Bridge. This is where the ship was controlled. You can also see the Number Three Turret. This is where one of the ship's big guns was located. The Second Deck, which was the crew's living area, is also open. And you can walk along the Main Deck.
Inside the ship, there are special exhibits. One is the Cruiser Sailor Museum. It tells the stories of sailors who served on cruisers. There is also a large collection of model ships. These models show different types of ships in great detail.
The museum also teaches about the history of large cruisers like the Salem. You can find exhibits honoring other ships. These include the USS Newport News (CA-148) and the USS Saint Paul (CA-73). The Saint Paul was also built at the Fore River Shipyard. A part of the museum is also dedicated to the history of the Navy SEALs. These are special forces members of the Navy. If you are a researcher, you can ask to see the museum's large collection of military records. They also have naval weapons and other items.
The museum also connects to the city of Salem, Massachusetts. This city is famous for the events of the late 1600s. The museum offers special tours and overnight stays during Halloween. You can also stay overnight on the ship throughout the year. This lets you experience what life was like aboard a Navy ship.
See also
- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
- Other U.S. Navy museums
- Other naval museums in the United States
