#uss becuna

[the-golden-vanity]

Ships at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, May 8th, 2026

Gazela, Grand Banks barquentine (1901) Moshulu, four-masted windjammer barque (1904) Becuna, naval submarine (1944) Olympia, naval protected cruiser (1892)

Photos ©️ @the-golden-vanity

[your-resident-boat-person]

A little arts and crafts project I'm working on: a little scrapbook of all the historic ships I've visited!

I took all the pictures with my Nintendo DSi, and I printed them with a little thermal printer that can print on sticky-back thermal paper. Along with the name of the ship and 2 of my favorite pictures that I took, I have the dates I visited and some basic info about the ship. I was considering including the ships current location, but pretty soon the SS United States will be at the bottom of the gulf of Mexico, and that's too depressing to see every time I open the book. Also, i need better pictures for 3 of the ships, so those pages aren't done.

The order the ships appear in and whether or not they get to be in the book is determined by when I stepped on board (with the SS United States being a special exception). However, I dont need to get on the board for a visit after the first for it to count. For example, on 8/11/25, I only saw Battleship New Jersey from shore. However, I was on board a few days earlier, so she gets to be in the book. Ships that im not capable of boarding may also be granted special exceptions. Also, there was oddly enough, an EXCLUSION due to special circumstances: Friendship of Salem. She's a replica of a 1797 East Indiaman named Friendship. I DID step on board, but she was undergoing heavy renovation at the time and everything was covered in tarps, so I didn't really get to "experience" being on board. If I ever go back after the renovations are done, she will get a spot in the book, but the first date I visited will be listed as the date I visited during renovation.

Also, the Visits section for the SS United States is so much larger and more ornate because the chances of me ever seeing her again are close to zero.

[dbfenthusiast]

I toured the USS Becuna, a WWII warship and the only submarine of its kind left in the world. Take a look inside.

The USS Becuna submarine sank 3,888 tons of shipping and earned four battle stars in World War II.

I had the privilege of being interviewed by Business Insider regarding Becuna and the stories we are trying to tell aboard:

[sixfrigates]

Ever wanted to tour all three Philly area museum ships in one go? Ever wanted that go to be a guided tour led by experts from both museums? Well pull on your walking shoes and get ready to traverse several miles of floating steel because ISM and Battleship New Jersey are partnering again to bring back our Deck to Deck tours.

Tickets

[dbfenthusiast]

First snowfall of the season.

[dbfenthusiast]

A few more

[dbfenthusiast]

The Christmas that could of been.

OTD in 1944, Becuna has a run in with IJN Yamato off the coast of Vietnam. Unfortunately, Yamato’s bearing differed from that of her destroyer screen and Becuna could not correct the angle for a shot. Yamato sailed off unscathed.

[dbfenthusiast]

Today we were able to celebrate 80 years of USS Becuna. Our speakers spoke well on the importance of continuing to preserve Becuna as a reminder of our history to younger generations and a touchstone for the family members of those who served aboard her.

In my own reflections, I recognize that I have had the privilege of working in the museum ships field for 11 years. 8 of those years have been with Becuna. She, even more so than Olympia, means something to me that I cannot put into words. I am trusted with her continuing preservation. Yes, so younger generations can learn from her their history and science and technology, but more than that I am a steward of memories and connection for those who served on her and their descendants who may no longer have that veteran in their lives or indeed ever knew them personally. It is an honor to be trusted with that.

Diesel Boats Forever.

Happy 80th birthday, Becuna. Here’s to 80 more.