United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum

Infobox Museum
name = United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum

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imagesize = 270
caption = USS "Salem" (CA-139)
map_type =
map_caption =
latitude = 42.244035
longitude = -70.969888
established = 7 January 1993
dissolved =
location = Quincy, Massachusetts
type = Museum ship
visitors =
director =
curator =
publictransit = Quincy Center (MBTA station)
MBTA Bus Routes 220, 221, 222 [http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/ (schedules)]
[http://www.harborexpress.com/commuters/ Harbor Express]
website = [http://www.uss-salem.org http://www.uss-salem.org]

The United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum is a private non-profit museum in Quincy, Massachusetts featuring USS "Salem" (CA-139), a heavy cruiser docked at the former Fore River Shipyard where she was laid down in 1945. The museum was established in 1993 in response to efforts by local officials and volunteers to revive the shipyard area after operations at Fore River ended in 1986. Several exhibits onboard "Salem" relating to United States naval history and shipbuilding are featured along with dockside fixtures and a miniature golf course.

History

In 1986, General Dynamics Corporation shut down its shipbuilding facility at Weymouth Fore River in Quincy, signaling the end of a 102 year history of shipbuilding operations along the Fore River and 85 years at the site in Quincy Point. [Citation| last = Langner| first = Paul| title = Ship's Christening Signals Shipyard's Death| newspaper = The Boston Globe| pages = Metro Section, p. 29| year = 1986| date = May 18, 1986] [cite web |url=http://thomascranelibrary.org/shipbuildingheritage/history/historyindex.html |publisher=Thomas Crane Public Library |title=A History of Shipbuilding at Fore River |accessdate=2008-09-03 |author=Rines, Lawrence S. |coauthors=Sarcone, Anthony F.] Various plans were offered at the time for use of the shipyard, [Citation| last = Radin| first = Charles A.| title = Water Board Seeking Part of Quincy Yard| newspaper = The Boston Globe| pages = Metro Section, p. 1| year = 1986| date = December 30, 1986] however in 1992 a group of volunteers came up with one partial solution: the purchase and relocation of a ship built at the shipyard to be reborn as a museum celebrating the history of the yard. With help from local officials, the museum was established in 1993 by an act of the Massachusetts General Court to "acquire, refurbish and maintain United States naval ships and the adjacent physical complex in order that it will service as a major attraction for local citizens and tourists."State Library of Massachusetts Archives, 1993 [http://archives.lib.state.ma.us:8080/dspace/bitstream/2452/31794/1/1992acts0339.txt] ] After earlier attempts to obtain use of USS "Lexington" (CV-16), in 1994 the city and the volunteer group successfully negotiated the relocation of "Salem" from Philadelphia with the Naval Sea Systems Command. [Citation| last = Reid| first = Alexander| title = Surplus Warship Scheduled to Arrive in City in August| newspaper = The Boston Globe| pages = South Weekly Section, p. 1| year = 1994| date = July 17, 1994] On 30 October 1994 "Salem" returned to Quincy to be permanently docked where she was built nearly five decades before. [Citation|title = Rescued from Navy Mothballs, USS Salem is Returning Home| newspaper = The Boston Globe| pages = Metro Section, p. 17| year = 1994| date = October 29, 1994]

Exhibits and attractions

With a length of convert|717|ft|m, "Salem" provides a large amount of space for museum exhibits and casual exploration by visitors. The Admiral's and Captain's Bridge, Number Three Turret, Second Deck (crew quarters) and Main Deck of "Salem" are features of the ship proper which are open to visitors. There are also individual exhibits within the ship including the Cruiser Sailor Museum and a substantial model ship collection.Citation| title = USS Salem: Newest Tourist Attraction| newspaper = The Quincy Sun| pages = Historic Quincy Supplement, p. 35A| year = 2005| date = June 30, 2005]

The history of large cruisers like "Salem" is also addressed. Exhibits featuring USS "Newport News" (CA-148), the last of the "Des Moines" class cruisers, and USS "Saint Paul" (CA-73), a "Baltimore" class cruiser also built at Fore River are onboard. A portion of the museum is devoted to a display of Navy SEAL history. [cite web |url=http://www.uss-salem.org/museum/memorial/memorial_rooms.htm |title=USS Salem CA-139 Memorial Rooms] Researchers can request access to extensive military archives and a collection of naval armaments and memorabilia.Citation| title = USS Salem: Newest Tourist Attraction| newspaper = The Quincy Sun| pages = Historic Quincy Supplement, p. 35A| year = 2005| date = June 30, 2005]

Outside the realm of military history, the museum takes advantage of the history of the city which gave the ship its name, Salem, Massachusetts, famous for the witch trials of the late 17th century, by offering holiday themed tours and overnight stays during Halloween. Overnight stays are also available throughout the year for those interested in life aboard a Navy ship. [cite web |url=http://www.uss-salem.org/overnight/overnights.htm |title=USS Salem CA-139 Overnight Adventure] Adjacent to the ship there is an eighteen hole miniature golf course. Operated by the museum, "Kilroy's Mini Golf" is named in honor of James J. Kilroy, a worker at the shipyard who is often cited as the origin of the famous "Kilroy was here" graffiti.

References