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Bowfin Park’s Outdoor Periscope Exhibit

WWII submarines traditionally had two periscopes; a navigation or observation periscope and targeting, or commander’s, periscope. The observation scope, used to scan the sea surface and sky, typically had a wide field of view and no magnification or low-power magnification. The targeting or “attack” periscope, by comparison, had a narrower field of view and higher magnification. In WWII and earlier submarines, it was the only means of gathering target data to accurately fire a torpedo, since sonar was not yet sufficiently advanced for this purpose (ranging with sonar required emission of an electronic “ping” that gave away the location of the submarine) and most torpedoes were unguided.

The Jordan family of four – husband and wife Billy and Linda, and sons Jack and Callum – received a free tour of the USS Bowfin by Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. They also received a gift certificate to the museum gift shop and a complimentary lunch.

“Welcoming our 11 millionth visitor marks an incredible milestone for the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and we are grateful for all of our visitors since opening to the public over 40 years ago,” said Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. “Thanks to our dedicated museum staff, this achievement underscores the lasting significance of preserving the legacy of the submariners who served aboard the USS Bowfin during World War II. It is a privilege to share this historic vessel and its stories with people from around the world.”

Named after an aggressive freshwater predator native to North America, the USS Bowfin was launched on December 7, 1942, and nicknamed the ‘Pearl Harbor Avenger.’ Over the course of nine successful war patrols in the Pacific during World War II, the Bowfin lived up to both her namesake and her nickname. Donated to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association in 1979, the submarine was opened to the public in April 1981 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Located at 11 Arizona Memorial Drive at Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and USS Bowfin submarine are open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For more information, call (808) 423-1341 or plan your visit here.

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