Museum

Bowfin Artifacts

Bowfin Artifacts

USS Bowfin Bell Our museum exhibits include Bowfin’s bell, which had been missing for about 24 years. The bell was discovered at an estate sale. A California couple who collect antiques purchased the bell and contacted another WWII submarine museum in California to ask about the bell. USS Pampanito wasn’t interested in a bell that said "USS Bowfin," but they knew who would be. We purchased the bell and it arrived safe and sound thanks to Mario Hernandez, Fred Algar and Eric Webber, three Naval Reservists who toted this 77 pound brass bell back to Pearl Harbor on board an airplane.

Another exhibit is Bowfin’s second battle flag, which was stored in crew member Jack Updegraff’s parents’ attic and forgotten about for almost 50 years! It was rediscovered and donated to the Museum collection just in time for the crew’s reunion-on-the-boat. To commemorate the Bowfin crew’s bravery during nine successful WWII war patrols, a special plaque that lists each of the crew members names was also unveiled during the reunion. The plaque stands on shore near the entrance of the submarine.

Other exhibits include a Bowfin launching cachet and a Purple Heart that was bestowed upon crew member Reid Lee, the only Bowfin casualty of war. Lee received shrapnel wounds during a surface engagement on the seventh patrol. The Purple Heart, a decoration instituted by Gen. George Washington, is named after the only type of wood capable of withstanding the constant stress of repeated firing.

Our most recent addition is Bowfin's Presidential Unit Citation pennant, donated by Captain W. T. Stutzer. bowfin-puc

Bowfin received the citation for her brilliant second war patrol under the command of LCDR Walter Griffith.

Secrets of the Sub

Hawaii Themed Submarines

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was launched on 16 January 1965 and commissioned on 10 December 1965. This submarine holds the name for King Kamehameha the Great. It is fitting that one of our submarines bear the name of this striking figure in Hawaiian history. His people were intrepid seafarers and knowledge of stars, winds and currents still arouse wonder and admiration. For much of USS Kamehameha's service, she was based in Rota, Spain conducting deterrence patrols during the Cold War. Commissioning gifts to the submarine are on display at the museum.

USS Honolulu

USS Honolulu (SSN-718), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States to be named for Honolulu, Hawaii. She was launched on 24 September 1983 and commissioned on 6 July 1985. Honolulu’s patrols are commemorated by ten surfboards signed by the crews aboard her at the time. One of the four surfboards held at Bowfin Park is on display in the museum.

USS Hawaii

The USS Hawaii (SSN 776) is the first commissioned vessel of its name. Launched June 17, 2006 and Commissioned May 5, 2007 she is fortunate to be homeported in her namesake state. The submarine was named to recognize the tremendous support the Navy has enjoyed from the people and state of Hawaii, and in honor of the rich heritage of submarines in the Pacific.

Hawaii is the third of the Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia-class of attack submarines surpasses the performance of any current projected threat submarine, ensuring U.S. undersea dominance well into the next century.

Bowfin Museum collections include models of all three submarines.