The Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia Pennsylvania

As a port city handling cargo from all over the world, as a shipbuilding center, and as a navy base, Philadelphia has a rich maritime history dating back to the city's inception. Through the exhibits of The Independence Seaport Museum, visitors can learn about the significance of this history in shaping Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.

Philadelphia has been a major American seaport since colonial times, and continues to be so today. The port handles all types of cargo including produce, paper and other forest products, containers, automobiles, and cocoa beans.

The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard has its roots as far back as the Revolutionary War. During World War II, the battleships Wisconsinand New Jersey were built here. The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was closed in 1995, but a civilian shipbuilding company now produces container ships and tankers at the site.

Exhibits in the Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum hosts several permanent exhibits. Some have family friendly hands on activities, such as the "What Floats Your Boat?" exhibit. This exhibit illustrates the scientific aspects of boatbuilding, sailing principles, buoyancy, and so on. Visitors can also view actual wooden boatbuilding and restoration in the Workshop on the Water exhibit. Boatbuilding classes that teach participants how to build wooden boats are also offered through the Workshop.

The museum's newest permanent exhibit is "On the Rivers, On the Shores: Small Craft of the Delaware River Valley". This exhibit features small craft of the area from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Also on display is a V-12 Packard Marine Engine of the type used in World War II PT boats.

A lot of the museum's exhibit space is dedicated to the history of Philadelphia's port. One exhibit is dedicated to Philadelphia's importance as a destination port for immigration in the 19^th and early 20^th century. Several detail the importance of commerce and foreign trade. One exhibit is dedicated to the importance of trade with China going back to the 1700's. Others illustrate the changes in cargo handling at the port over the years.

The "Divers of the Deep" exhibit covers the history of advancements in the technology involved in undersea exploration. Models of ships of all kinds are found throughout the museum. The museum's Archives and Library is available for maritime research by the public on an appointment only basis.

Historic Ships

Located outside the museum in the Penn's Landing Marina are two historic ships, the Cruiser U.S.S. Olympia and the Submarine U.S.S. Becuna. Self guiding tours of both are available as part of the admission charge for the museum.

The U.S.S. Olympia was launched in 1892. It served in the Spanish American War as Commodore George Dewey's flagship at the battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines. Dewey earned promotion to Rear Admiral following his victory over the Spanish fleet there. The ship also served in World War I. It is the oldest steel hulled warship still afloat in the world. On a tour, visitors can see the officer's accommodations, with fine wooden furniture and paneling. This crewmen slept in hammocks on the main interior deck. Also on the tour are the medical and kitchen facilities, Pilot House and Bridge Deck. There is an exhibit inside the museum dedicated to the Olympia and its time.

The U.S.S. Becuna was launched in January of 1944 during World War II. It served on combat missions in the South Pacific. It was modernized in the early 1950's and served mostly in training missions for submariners until it was placed in reserve in 1969. Visitors can come away with an appreciation of the cramped conditions endured by submariners as they conducted their missions.

An admission fee is charged for the museum. Check the museum's website at www.phillyseaport.org for current admission charges and hours of operation.

Resources

"Biography of Admiral of the Navy George Dewey, USN" www.history.navy.mil/bios/dewey_george .htm Naval Historical Center

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships online edition web pages for U.S.S. Becuna and U.S.S Olympia

www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b4/becuna-i.htm

www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o2/olympia.htm

Becuna web page written by Raymond A. Mann

Naval Historical Center

Independence Seaport Museum website

www.phillyseaport.org/

"Philadelphia Naval Shipyard" www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/philadelphia_nsy.htm

GlobalSecurity.org

"Philadelphia Navy Yard"

www.destroyerhistory.org/destroyers/philadelphiany.html

Destroyer History Foundation

Philadelphia Regional Port Authority Website

www.philaport.com