USS Ling-SS297Volunteers Only Page

09/30/2025

Russian Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk suffered an accident in the Mediterranean Sea

A damaged fuel system caused fuel to leak into the hold

Other issues emerged

This may explain its surfaced sighting in the Strait of Gibraltar yesterday

Leaked information indicates no parts or qualified specialists are on board for repairs

Fuel continues to accumulate in the hold, posing an explosion risk

The crew may attempt to pump the fuel into the sea

10/27/2024

Decommissioned: 26 October 1946 - USS Ling (SS/AGSS/IXSS-297) is a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy, named for the ling fish, also known as the cobia. The ship is docked (since 1972) at the New Jersey Naval Museum in Hackensack, New Jersey but is inaccessible to the public.

Ling was laid down 2 November 1942 by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia. She was launched 15 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. E. J. Foy, and was moved to the Boston Navy Yard for completion and testing. Ling was commissioned on 8 June 1945, with Commander George Garvie Molumphy in command.

After shakedown and further installations, Ling headed out to sea to test her equipment 15 September 1945. The submarine based at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut until she sailed 11 February 1946 for the Panama Canal Zone, arriving eight days later. She operated out of Panama until 9 March when she sailed north. She completed inactivation 23 October at New London, decommissioned 26 October 1946, and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

In March 1960, Ling was towed to Brooklyn, New York, where she was converted into a training ship at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, simulating all aspects of submarine operations. She was reclassified an Auxiliary Submarine (AGSS-297) in 1962.

Ling received one battle star for World War II service.

Ling was reclassified a Miscellaneous Unclassified Submarine (IXSS-297), and struck from the Naval Register, 1 December 1971.

The Louisville Naval Museum, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. The museum was founded with the intention of saving the USS Ling, SS-297, a World War II Balao class submarine, which is currently located at a defunct museum in Hackensack, New Jersey. The Ling has suffered much damage due to neglect, vandalism, and the impact of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ling
https://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08297.htm

https://theridgewoodblog.net/louisville-naval-museum-bails-out-the-uss-ling-in-the-hackensack-river/

09/16/2024

Another boat found

BREAKING NEWS! REMAINS OF USS HARDER FOUND OFF LUZON
Souce: MSN News

Ateam of researchers has discovered the wreck of the famous US Navy submarine USS Harder, SS 257, considered to have played a very significant role during World War II, lying about 3,000 feet below the surface off the northern Philippine island of Luzon. The finding has been confirmed by the Navy’s History and Heritage Command, or NHHC, and this is a momentous day in the history of the Navy.

The USS Harder, under the command of Cmdr. Samuel D. Dealey was commissioned on December 2, 1942, and lost at sea with all 79 crewmen aboard on August 24, 1944, on its sixth war patrol. It is noted for its audacious attacks and the significant contribution it made to the war, especially during its fifth patrol, where it sank three Japanese destroyers and heavily damaged two others over four days.

The Japanese were then forced to change their battle plans, which contributed to their defeat in the ensuing battles.

The identification of the wreck is based on data provided by Tim Taylor, chief executive officer of Tiburon Subsea and The Lost 52 Project, which since its founding has been working to locate the 52 U.S. submarines lost during the Second World War. Taylor himself, who in 2021 received a Distinguished Public Service Award from the Navy for his work locating numerous lost naval vessels, had previously found several other WWII submarines, including USS Grayback (SS 208) and USS Grunion (SS 216).

NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, a retired US Navy admiral observed the losses involved in triumph as well as in liberty. “Harder was lost in the course of victory. We must not forget that victory has a price, as does freedom,” he stated.

The last mission of USS Harder involved a series of attacks along Luzon. On 22 August 1944, Harder, operating in company with USS Haddo, sank two Japanese es**rt vessels off Bataan. The following day, Haddo damaged the destroyer Asakaze, and Harder, with USS Hake, continued the hunt for victims. On 24 August, Harder fired a salvo of torpedoes at the Japanese es**rt CD-22 but missed the target. She was caught in a series of depth charge attacks, which eventually sent the submarine down.

The wreck of the USS Harder was found sitting upright, relatively intact but for damage behind its conning tower; it is now considered a war grave. The NHHC has underscored that the site should be treated as a grave site-the last resting place of the brave sailors who lost their lives.

Cmdr. Dealey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against enemy Japanese forces during Harder’s fifth patrol. The submarine and its crew also received the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action.

The finding of USS Harder not only pays respect to the memory of its crew but also serves as a very poignant reminder of the sacrifices during World War II.

Report in Video Format:
https://youtu.be/Qq_gcF_1dKg

https://youtu.be/Qq_gcF_1dKg

08/23/2024

28 of the best-built submarines in the US Navy were built by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company. USS Cobia isn't one of them. Here's why it's here.

07/29/2023

August 15, 1943.
Mrs. E.J. Foy, sponsor of the the USS Ling, about to give her the ceremonial champagne kiss at Cramp Shipbuilding Company. Philadelphia.

07/28/2023

For those who may not have seen the attached youtube video. https://youtu.be/Df35Xqt8VMY

To those who know the true history of the Ling will see some of the inaccuracy in the video. It does touch on good points in her history, but is vague in others. I was left feeling a bit sad, but hope it will be viewed to influence the need to save her.
The USS Ling has not been abandoned. Yes, saving the Gray Lady is a slow and frustrating process for us & others.
Some have said fix the Ling and float her down river.
The boat will not be sailing down river. She barely made it to Hackensack when she first arrived in the 70's. Today some 50 years later the river has changed dramatically and so has the Ling. 1st the river would require dredging which would require the removal & disposal of the hazardous material. Big cost if even allowed by environmental agency's. Note: The Super Fund Hackensack River clean up project won't be in the area of Ling for over 10 years, and that's just for sediment testing.
2nd is the accessibility to making repairs safely and the cost of making the repairs. Then assuring she would make the journey Safely! Its a long trip with many obsticles. Big money & a liability. Dry Dock - Big Money! New home after dry dock... ?
Our vision is to keep her where she is and create an in-place memorial dedicated to the 52 submarines lost, and the 375 officers and 3,131 enlisted who perished during WW2. This could be accomplished by grounding her within an earth filled coffer-dam. Similar to the Battleship North Carolina. Repairs would be made safely and over time. Lot of money, but would be most benifical for the Ling preservation.
For the pleasure of the public, a river walk will be incorporated into the new land development project.
The cost to scrap her would almost be, if not equal the cost to save her. This is not on the table, she must be saved. Money best spent on preservation.
From an engineering/architectual point of view, our vision is a possibility. The big factor is acquiring the funds, millions, needed to get the job done. So, if anyone knows of any company's or wealthy people interested in helping save a submarine. Do pro-bono work or the donation of needed matterial. This would all help. Please let us know.
Let it not be said the Ling is abandoned, She's Not!
Her destiny may be determined by the participation & efforts of the many, not the few.
Please while posting, leave the events of yesterday to the setting sun. It can't be change.
Today we stride to Save-The-USS-Ling. SS/AGSS/IXSS-297 for the future.
Gary
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02/22/2023

USS Ling. MAY 2022

02/21/2023

02/21/2023

USS Ling SS-297

02/20/2023

NJNM Recieving the USS Ling from the Navy. Hackensack, N.J. 1973