Albacore Park

Albacore Park Come visit! Built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the U.S.S. ALBACORE served with the United States Navy from 1953 to 1972. ALBACORE never fired a weapon.

A National Historic Landmark site in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, featuring a maritime museum, gift shop, memorial garden, and tours through the USS Albacore (AGSS-569). ALBACORE never went to war. With the motto "Praenuntius Futuri" (Forerunner of the Future), ALBACORE's mission was experimental: to be designed and redesigned, adapted and readapted, her structural modifications ultimately developin

g into a prototype submarine. ALBACORE's teardrop hull design was a triumph, making her the world's fastest submarine at that time. It became a model for contemporary submarines for many countries. Used for testing control systems, dive breaks, sonar systems, escape mechanisms and all manner of innovative theories, ALBACORE was truly a laboratory afloat. Today Albacore Park includes a Visitor's Center. Books and submarine gifts are sold at the Visitor's Center. Adjacent is the Memorial Garden, a tribute to all of the crews and officers who have been lost in the Submarine Service. Rest rooms and ample parking are provided. Albacore Park is conveniently located one-quarter mile from Exit 7 on I-95. Audio tour on board.

09/02/2026

On September 2nd, 1944, Lieutenant George H. W. Bush was rescued by the USS Finback (SS-230). After his plane’s engines caught fire from an anti-aircraft attack, Bush parachuted into the water and remained on a raft for hours. The USS Finback was on lifeguard duty nearby and was ready to save American aviators in need of rescue. After getting word of Bush and spotting him through the periscope, the crew of the Finback were able to pull him to safety. Bush would remain on the Finback for a month while war patrols continued.



The Finback, built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, was launched in August of 1941. The quality craftsmanship of local shipbuilders directly contributed to this significant piece of America’s history. Learn about local shipbuilding and more submarines built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard at Albacore Park in Portsmouth, NH. We are open 7 days a week. More history and information on our website ussalbacore.org.

Video courtesy of George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

54 Years ago today, on September 1st, 1972, the Decommissioning Ceremony for USS Albacore AGSS-569 was held at the Ports...
09/01/2026

54 Years ago today, on September 1st, 1972, the Decommissioning Ceremony for USS Albacore AGSS-569 was held at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Following the ceremony and her official decommissioning in December of 1972, she sat mothballed at the Inactive Ship Facility in Philadelphia, unaware of her future as a National Historic Landmark.

The first photos show the original program for attendees of the ceremony, including a fascinating history of USS Albacore. The photos that follow show Albacore during her time in Philadelphia.

54 years later we are remembering the end of Albacore’s Navy career but, only the beginning of her next chapter.

Learn more about the history of the USS Albacore at Albacore Park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and on our website ussalbacore.org.

Photos of the Albacore in Philadelphia courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

On August 27, 1957, the USS Swordfish SSN 579 was launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The Swordfish was the first n...
08/27/2026

On August 27, 1957, the USS Swordfish SSN 579 was launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The Swordfish was the first nuclear powered sub built here. This was a "Rickover-directed" project. Everyone associated with the SSN 579 reported directly to Rickover, not the Shipyard. Failure to report the smallest incident would result in being fired.

Commissioned in 1957, she headed to Pearl Harbor and became the first nuclear-powered submarine to serve in the Western Pacific.

The Swordfish was decommissioned in 1989.


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08/18/2026

New in our Maritime Gallery is the knot tying exhibit.
What better way to learn about life on a sloop, schooner or sailing ship than to practice tying knots that would have been used on these locally built vessels.

When visiting Albacore Park look for all the hands on displays in the museum and on board the submarine.

Check out the Ship’s Store for knot tying related items.

On August 14th, 1870, Admiral David Farragut died in Quarters A at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard - PNSY while visiting his b...
08/14/2026

On August 14th, 1870, Admiral David Farragut died in Quarters A at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard - PNSY while visiting his brother-in-law and shipyard commandant, Commodore Alexander M. Pennock. David Glasgow Farragut suffered a massive heart attack here at the age of 69.

The Admiral served almost 60 years in the Navy and is probably most remembered for his quote of "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead" at his victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Admiral David Farragut was very familiar with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He commanded 2 Portsmouth built ships, the USS Saratoga and the USS Franklin.

Former crew member Jim Martin stopped by to see if he still fits in his rack. He did!! Jim visits annually to check on ...
08/04/2026

Former crew member Jim Martin stopped by to see if he still fits in his rack. He did!! Jim visits annually to check on the sub and visit his bunk. Jim (also known as Kansas) served on the USS Albacore as a 2nd class machinist mate mm2 from 1964 to 1968.

Thanks for visiting and your service Jim⚓


On August 1, 1953, the USS Albacore AGSS-569 was launched at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard under the sponsorship of Mrs. J.E...
08/01/2026

On August 1, 1953, the USS Albacore AGSS-569 was launched at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard under the sponsorship of Mrs. J.E. Jowers of Wauchula, Fla., widow of the late Arthur L. Stanton, CMoMM, U.S. Navy. Stanton was lost on the previous USS Albacore SS218 November 7, 1944 off the coast of Japan.

Albacore 569 was the 120th submarine built by PNSY.

Mrs. Jowers is pictured here with Rear Admiral Charles B. Momsen.


Address

569 Submarine Way
Portsmouth, NH
03801

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+16034363680

Website

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