Launched on 7 December 1942, exactly one year after the deadly Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbour that brought the Americans into the Second World War, the USS Bowfin quickly earned the nickname of 'Pearl Harbour Avenger', as it came to be responsible for the sinking of some 44 enemy submarines in the campaign.
One of the few American submarines remaining from the war, today you can visit the vessel as well as its museum, explore the displays in the surrounding park and learn all about the battles witnessed here in the Pacific. Here, you can wander the corridors and the tiny mess rooms as well as explore the 4,000 artifacts on display, which will give you an insight into the lives of the soldiers who served in the U.S. Army's “Silent Service”.
You can explore the site with a self-guided tour that lasts around 30 minutes and which will teach you more about life here decades ago in the heat of the war. Make sure you save some time, however, to browse the exhibits, among which you'll get to see recruitment posters, military flags and even weapons such as the Poseidon, a ballistic missile which you can see opened up to display all of its electric circuits.
If you need some fresh air after exploring this confined space, head out to the park surrounding the museum and in which you'll see more exhibits, including a Japanese Kaiten torpedo as well as a primitive underwater missile known as Regulus. Visit the waterfront memorial dedicated to the 52 submarines that were sunk in the war and their crews. You can also visit the chamber where you can hear about how the crewmen of the USS Squalus were rescued.
Situated in Pearl Harbour, the complex containing the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is open every day except on major national holidays. It costs to enter, and although you may not take bags on board, you can hire a locker for your belongings.
