USS Albacore, Research submarine museum in Portsmouth, United States
USS Albacore is a research submarine displayed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The cylindrical teardrop hull differs visibly from older elongated designs and gives the vessel its rounded appearance above the waterline.
The vessel was launched in 1953 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and tested new propulsion technologies until 1972. Experiments led to improvements in submarine construction for later fleet models.
The name Albacore comes from a fast-swimming tuna species and reflects the submarine's speed. Audio recordings from former crew members describe daily routines during test missions and underwater experiments.
Guests walk through control room, engine spaces, and sleeping quarters during self-guided tours. The periscope offers a view across the surrounding park area.
The vessel reached approximately 65 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour) underwater and set speed records at the time. The teardrop shape later became a model for nuclear submarines in the fleet.
Location: Portsmouth
GPS coordinates: 43.08237,-70.76674
Latest update: December 9, 2025 13:10
The historic ships of the United States Navy are a direct testament to the country’s naval development throughout the 20th century. These warships, converted into museums accessible to the public, allow visitors to learn about life onboard and the technologies used during major global conflicts. The collections include Iowa-class battleships such as the USS New Jersey in Camden and the USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, destroyers like the USS Laffey in Mount Pleasant, as well as World War II submarines like the USS Cod in Cleveland and the USS Lionfish in Fall River. Visitors can walk the combat decks, examine original weapon systems, and explore preserved interior spaces. The USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point also displays vintage military aircraft, while the Naval Submarine Museum at Keyport features diving equipment and historical torpedoes. These sites, spread across oceans, provide a tangible view of the US Navy's role during Pacific conflicts, the Korean War, and more recent operations, showcasing nearly 80 years of maritime military history.
These preserved submarines open their hatches to visitors who want to see where sailors lived and fought beneath the ocean surface. From World War II patrol boats that hunted across the Pacific to the first nuclear-powered vessel that changed naval history forever, each submarine reveals the cramped reality of underwater service. You walk through narrow steel corridors, peer into bunks stacked three high, and stand where officers once studied charts and gave orders in near silence. The collection includes vessels from harbors across the United States and around the world, each one a working museum where the instruments, torpedo tubes, and engine rooms remain as they were during active duty. Some of these submarines sank enemy warships and rescued Allied prisoners during the Second World War. Others served through the Cold War, carrying crews on patrols that lasted weeks without seeing daylight. A few pushed the limits of technology, proving that nuclear reactors could power a vessel across thousands of miles and even under the polar ice. Whether docked in a busy port or resting beside a quiet lake, these submarines bring you face to face with the men who descended into the deep, closed the hatch, and did their work in spaces smaller than a city bus.
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