Sunken Sub Appears to be USS Lagarto

The Ling is a Balao class submarine built by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company in Philadelphia. Ling was launched 15 August, 1943 and was moved to the Boston Navy Yard for completion and testing.

One of 119 Balao class submarines, the Ling and her sister ships were an improvement over the earlier Gato class. The use of 7/8 high tensile steel in the hulls enabled boats like Ling to safely patrol at depth as great as 400 feet, 100 feet lower than the earlier class. This enabled Balao subs to stay below the range of most Japanese depth charges, which detonated at 300 feet. Design specifications were similar to those drawn by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, which can be distinguished by the placement of the anchor on the port side near the bow.

Upon completion, Ling was ordered to the Pacific, but the war ended before she crossed the Panama Canal. Ling returned to New London, Connecticut, where she was overhauled and then moored as part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in 1946. She remained in storage until she was converted into a training ship at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where simulated all aspects of submarine operations.

Eleven years later Ling was decommissioned by the Navy and six months later the old 297 was donated to the Submarine Memorial Association. The Submarine Memorial Association is a non-profit organization formed in 1972 with the purpose of saving Ling from the scrap yard. They petitioned the Navy bring the boat to Hackensack to serve as a memorial to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country". Many citizens and corporations contributed time, professional services, and funds toward the restoration of Ling. She has been restored to mint condition--scrubbed, painted, and polished for public tours--through the efforts of the association. The compartments have been refurbished and outfitted with authentic gear that recreates the bygone era of the World War II battle submarine. The USS Ling and N.J. Naval Museum is located on River and Court Streets in Hackensack. Guided tours are conducted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Submarine Memorial Association, PO Box 395, Hackensack, NJ 07602; 201-342-3268.

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