Are you interested in acquiring a Foxtrot-class Soviet-era submarine? If so, the folks at Urban Commons, the operators of the hotel and tourist attraction Queen Mary in Long Beach may want to talk to you. They have a well-used submarine that they would seriously like to get rid of.
The submarine is a diesel-electric patrol submarine that was built in the Soviet Union in 1971. Designated B-427, it served in the Soviet Pacific fleet for 23 years. After decommissioning, she was loaned to Australian National Maritime Museum for display as a museum vessel between 1995 and 19998.
In 1998, the submarine was moved to Long Beach, California and was berthed next to the Queen Mary. The submarine was opened to the public as the “Podvodnaya Lodka B-427 Scorpion.” The submarine was a Long Beach tourist attraction for almost two decades. It was not well maintained, however. In 2012, the submarine partially flooded and in 2016, it was closed to visitors.
The submarine now also interferes with a major redevelopment project and Urban Commons, the operators of the Queen Mary would like to get rid of the submarine. They hope to find someone to take the Scorpion off its hands and some maritime museums have expressed interest. One immediate obstacle is the rock breakwater which surrounds both the Queen Mary and the submarine. At least part of the breakwater would have to be taken down to allow the submarine to be removed.
Thanks for the offer but we’ve already got a rusting ex-Russian sub on the River Medway 🙂
It is amazing that planners fail to think about future removal/dry-docking/slipping of vessels which are rapidly approaching end of life. The Earl of Zetland, now a restaurant, is another case in point. It is in the Royal Quays Marina at North Shields on the River Tyne and has no means of being extracted since they reduced the size of the dock access.
There must be others?
Yes there are others like USS Ling berthed in the Hackensack River in New Jersey. The last WW II submarine that was not “guppyised” ie: enclosing the periscope etc in a housing. Spent many a pleasant afternoon with my then young son, taking excellent tours given by former Navy submariners. Now she sits, partially flooded, in the mud at her berth. The operators of these “tribute” sites should not be let off the hook when their exhibits go south. Ling was a fine boat and does not deserve the hand that she has been dealt. I am a past president of the National Vietnam War Museum and we have a PBR, Vietnam era and an A-4 Skyhawk also Vietnam era. We had to satisfy the US Navy periodically as to the status of the above or risk losing same. How do these people escape their duty when it comes to preservation?
I dont see how something that is on loan can be offered. It seems to me if it is owned by the russians, perhaps they should come and reposess it. Or better yet, send it to Peru?
Or maybe Bolivia or Paraguay as it is already land-locked.
Being a harder-line wildlife defender than the _Sea Shepherd’s_ bunch, I would have been interested if this sub were in proper working order and with full torpedo racks. This not being the case… 😉
The USS Cod is still in Cleveland firing her gun, sometimes.