Submarines played an important role in American naval supremacy throughout the years, ranging from daring World War II missions to stealthy Cold War reconnaissance patrols. Today, many of these legendary vessels sit in average American ports, memories engraved upon their cold steel. These vessels offer us a rare glimpse into a world few have ever experienced, so feel free to visit these iconic submarines in ports all across America.
USS Nautilus (SSN-571) – Groton, Connecticut
USS Nautilus was the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine. She was launched in 1954 and could stay submerged longer and travel further than any submarine that came before her. In 1958, Nautilus traveled beneath the North Pole and became the first vessel to achieve this feat. She is now permanently docked at the Submarine Force Library and Museum located in Groton, Connecticut.
USS Pampanito (SS-383) – San Francisco, California
USS Pampanito served in the Pacific in World War II and completed 6 patrols. She successfully sank six Japanese ships and helped rescue countless Allied prisoners of war. Pampanito was a Balao-class submarine and has been carefully restored to her former wartime glory. Visitors can now walk through her tight corridors, see the various control panels, and torpedo rooms as they were while she was active.
USS Bowfin (SS-287) – Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
The USS Bowfin, nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger,” launched exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. She operated in the Pacific, completed 9 war patrols successfully, and sank 44 enemy vessels. The Bowfin is docked beside the USS Arizona Memorial and is part of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, which honors the service of submariners with authentic World War II gear and exhibits.
USS Becuna (SS-319) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
USS Becuna is docked at Penn’s Landing next to Olympia (a cruiser). Becuna served in both World War II and the Cold War. She carried out five war patrols throughout the Pacific and was later used to monitor Soviet activities in the Atlantic. Her interior consists of many Cold War upgrades and shows visitors an interesting contrast compared to its earlier wartime design.
USS Cavalla (SS-244) – Galveston, Texas
The USS Cavalla is a famous World War II submarine, recognized for sinking the Shōkaku, a Japanese aircraft carrier, during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. She has been retired and rests in Seawolf Park in Galveston, Texas, next to USS Stewart, a destroyer escort. Luckily, her interior has been perfectly preserved, showcasing what life was like living there in her prime.
USS Razorback (SS-394) – North Little Rock, Arkansas
The USS Razorback has an impressive record, having served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. She is a true veteran and even participated in the surrender of the Japanese in Tokyo Bay. In 1970, she was sold to Turkey, where she served until 2001, and was subsequently returned to the United States. In the present, she is calmly floating at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, awaiting visitors to behold her glory.
USS Clamagore (SS-343) – Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
After serving through World War II and the Cold War, the USS Clamagore was converted into a GUPPY 3 configured submarine. The upgrade increased its capabilities, including underwater speed and time underwater. It was retired in 1975 and has since become a part of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. There have been challenges regarding her preservation, but she remains a prime Cold War-era submarine nonetheless.
USS Lionfish (SS-298) – Fall River, Massachusetts
The USS Lionfish conducted two war patrols during World War II and was later turned into a training vessel for the U.S. Navy. It is a Balao-class submarine that features World War II-era technology and a robust design. She is docked in Battleship Cove, where visitors can see her crew quarters, torpedo tubes, sonar rooms, and many other gadgets used in the submarine.
USS Requin (SS-481) – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Although the USS Requin never saw combat, she still played an important role in surveillance and training during the Cold War. After being modified for radar picket duty, Requin features amazing Cold War surveillance technology that many other submarines in her class didn’t have. She is now moored in the Carnegie Science Center on the Ohio River, where you can take immersive tours that showcase all her technology and the living conditions sailors had to endure.
USS Cobia (SS-245) – Manitowoc, Wisconsin
USS Cobia was launched in 1943 and was used to patrol the Pacific. It was credited with sinking two troop transports, along with many other enemy vessels. Cobia can be found at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, and is one of the most authentic World War II submarines open to the public. She features overnight stays and authentic radar equipment, making it a must-visit for history and submarine enthusiasts.
USS Batfish (SS-310) – Muskogee, Oklahoma
Also known as the “Submarine Killer,” USS Batfish once sank three enemy submarines in less than 76 hours during World War II, a feat which has yet to be matched in the Navy. She is now the centerpiece of Muskogee War Memorial Park. The memorial might be inland, but the Batfish luckily survived floods in 2019 and is currently undergoing extensive restoration to preserve what’s left of this testament to U.S. Navy resilience.
USS Silversides (SS-236) – Muskegon, Michigan
USS Silversides is one of the most successful World War II submarines. She completed 14 patrols and sank 23 enemy ships. Her well-deserved rest is in Muskegon, where she has been meticulously preserved and her original equipment kept intact. The museum offers great tours of Silversides, as well as many other Navy exhibits, with some programs even letting you stay overnight, just like in the case of USS Cobia.
USS Albacore (AGSS-569) – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
USS Albacore was designed as a prototype for modern submarines and featured a new tear-shaped hull that improved maneuverability and increased underwater speed. Albacore never saw combat, but her design influenced every U.S. submarine that followed. She is now landlocked in a specially dug basin in Portsmouth, where visitors can pay tribute to her maritime legacy and revolutionary engineering.
USS Dolphin (AGSS-555) – San Diego, California
USS Dolphin is the deepest-diving submarine in American naval history. During her research missions, Dolphin was able to delve to depths of over 3,000 feet, and played a key role in torpedo and sonar testing for submarines that followed. The Maritime Museum of San Diego is the Dolphin’s final resting place, offering visitors a glimpse into technology from the Cold War and exceptional compact and experimental design.
USS Torsk (SS-423) – Baltimore, Maryland
USS Torsk made history after firing the last torpedoes of World War II. After her service, she became a training vessel used for sonar testing, which has made her one of the best Tench-class submarines you can visit. She is berthed at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where you can explore parts of her equipment (most of which is still in working order) and walk her length to feel what sailors experienced in their months at sea.
