USS Bowfin
Honolulu
The USS Bowfin (SS-287), famously known as the "Pearl Harbor Avenger," is one of the most iconic and well-preserved maritime museums in the United States. Located at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, the museum offers a hauntingly immersive look into the "Silent Service"—the nickname given to the submarine force during World War II.
Visiting the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is a journey through technological ingenuity, extreme claustrophobia, and the profound bravery of the men who lived and fought beneath the waves.
The Legend of the "Pearl Harbor Avenger"
The Bowfin was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year to the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Because of this auspicious timing, she was christened the "Pearl Harbor Avenger."
During the war, the Bowfin completed nine successful war patrols. Her service record is staggering: she is credited with sinking 16 Japanese merchant vessels and 20 smaller craft. Beyond her offensive strikes, she also performed rescue missions, picking up downed Allied pilots and supporting Philippine guerrilla forces. In 1981, she was opened to the public, eventually becoming a National Historic Landmark.
What to Expect During Your Visit
The museum complex is divided into three primary experiences: the submarine itself, the outdoor Waterfront Memorial, and the indoor museum exhibits.
Boarding the USS Bowfin: the centerpiece of the visit is the self-guided audio tour of the submarine. As you step across the gangway and descend into the narrow hatch, you immediately feel the shift in atmosphere.
The Forward Torpedo Room: This is where the tour typically begins. You’ll see the massive 21-inch torpedo tubes and the "hot bunking" arrangements, where sailors slept inches away from live explosives.
The Officers' Wardroom: A stark contrast to the rest of the ship, this small area provided a semblance of normalcy for the officers, though "space" is a relative term.
The Control Room: This is the heart of the boat. It is a dizzying array of valves, gauges, levers, and the iconic periscopes. Looking through these periscopes is a highlight for most visitors, offering a view of the harbor that feels eerily similar to what a commander would have seen 80 years ago.
The Galley and Mess Deck: Submariners were known for having the best food in the Navy to compensate for the hazardous conditions. You can see the tiny kitchen that fed 80 men three meals a day.
The Engine Room: The heat and noise in this section during operation would have been nearly unbearable. The massive diesel engines are a marvel of mid-century engineering.
The Museum Gallery: before or after your submarine tour, the indoor museum provides the necessary context. It houses an extensive collection of submarine-related artifacts, including:
Battle Flags: Colorful and symbolic flags that recorded a submarine's "kills" and successful missions.
Recruiting Posters: Insights into how the Navy marketed the dangerous life of a submariner.
The Poseidon C-3 Missile: A massive Cold War-era ballistic missile that illustrates how submarine technology evolved from the diesel-electric Bowfin to the nuclear age.
The Waterfront Memorial: outside, the park features a poignant memorial dedicated to the 52 U.S. submarines and the more than 3,500 submariners lost during World War II. Each lost boat is honored with a plaque detailing its history and the names of the crew members who remain on "Eternal Patrol."
Why It Matters
A visit to the Bowfin serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost of naval warfare. While the USS Arizona Memorial represents a site of loss and reflection, the Bowfin represents the resilience and technical prowess of the American response. Walking through the narrow corridors, you gain a visceral appreciation for the physical and mental toughness required to serve in the "Silent Service."
The museum succeeds in making history tactile. When you touch the cold steel of the hull or hear the recording of a "Dive! Dive!" klaxon, the stories of the Greatest Generation move from the pages of history books into a lived reality.