New Jersey Naval Museum

The New Jersey Naval Museum (NJNM) was a museum located along the Hackensack River in Hackensack in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. Its mission was dedicated to the state's Navy heritage and naval history in general. The prominent element in the collection was the USS Ling (SS-297), a 312-foot (95 m) long Balao-class submarine of World War II.[2] The museum land has since been sold for redevelopment, however the USS Ling remains grounded in the river, with an uncertain future. Efforts have been made since 2007 to find a new home for the Ling. In 2019, the Louisville Naval Museum began a campaign to attempt to relocate the ship to the Ohio River.[3]

New Jersey Naval Museum
The USS Ling in Hackensack in 1975
Location in New Jersey
Established1972 (1972)
DissolvedJune 1, 2016 (2016-06-01)
LocationHackensack, New Jersey, United States
Coordinates40.880127°N 74.039934°W / 40.880127; -74.039934
TypeNaval
Key holdingsUSS Ling (SS-297), Japanese Kaiten IIs, German Seehund
PresidentLes Altschuler[1]
CuratorArthur Bischoff[1]
OwnerSubmarine Memorial Association
Websitewww.njnm.org

From 1972 until closing, the Museum had paid one dollar per year to rent its riverside site.[1] In January 2007, the North Jersey Media Group, owner of the site, informed the museum that the site was going to be sold for redevelopment within the year and that the museum and submarine would need to be relocated.[4]

Collections

Prior to the closing of the museum, guided tours of the Ling were available to take visitors from bow to stern, exploring equipment, quarters, and weaponry. The weaponry on the Ling includes twenty-four torpedoes and one 4" deck gun (it originally had two 5" deck guns) for handling military targets too small to warrant the expenditure of a torpedo.

Volunteers maintained Japanese Kaiten IIs, a World War II Japanese suicide torpedo; a German Seehund, a World War II German two-man coastal defense submarine; and A Vietnam War-era Patrol Boat, River (PBR), all of which the US Navy has since reclaimed, in addition to Ling and some torpedoes, missiles, and artillery shells. The onshore museum building contained a number of different and unique items ranging from a United States Navy SEALs delivery vehicle to personal photographs and effects.

Closing

After Hurricane Sandy the gangway was destroyed, leading to the closure of the sub and museum.[5] Furthermore, the area was selected for a development project.[6] The Naval History and Heritage Command has taken several artifacts after they were in a state of disrepair; with the remaining artifacts being housed by Harbor Freight. [7]

Vandalism and Burglary

In September 2018, artifacts from the submarine were stolen, and the Ling was also flooded.[8] Several people have been identified in connection with the burglary.[9]

See also

References
  1. Adely, Hannan (22 February 2013). "Navy museum remains closed, seeks funding for repairs". The Record. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  2. Keegan, Matthew. "Hackensack, New Jersey: 300 Years of Modern History - Destinations Article". www.articles3k.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  3. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/11/15/wwii-submarine-may-coming-louisville-museum-piece/2574247001/
  4. Holl, John. "Retired Submarine, 63, Seeks Loving New Home", The New York Times, February 11, 2007. Accessed October 21, 2007.
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/nyregion/submarine-hackensack-uss-ling.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. https://www.pbs.org/video/njtvnews-redevelopment-plans-raise-concerns-uss-ling. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. "Last remnants of New Jersey Naval Museum set to be cleared; Ling still in limbo". North Jersey. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  8. "Vandals Steal WWII Plaques, Flood USS Ling In Hackensack". Teaneck, NJ Patch. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  9. "Three more people identified in connection with USS Ling vandalism". North Jersey. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
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