History:-
USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a World War II Balao class Fleet submarine museum and memorial that is open for visitors daily at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Pampanito made six patrols in the Pacific during World War II during which she sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others. Operated by the Maritime Park Association, Pampanito hosts approximately 110,000 visitors a year and is one of the most popular historic vessels in the country. In addition to day time visitors, over 15,000 kids a year participate in Pampanito's educational day and overnight programs. Pampanito is a National Historic Landmark.
This photograph of Pampanito headed out under the Golden Gate Bridge was taken by volunteer Bob Taylor in 1995 when the submarine was featured in the film Down Periscope. It had been fifty years since Pampanito sailed under the bridge.
Pampanito is being restored to a specific point in time, late summer, 1945, to represent the height of WW II submarine development. The Maritime Park Association has scoured the country in search of missing equipment and spare parts. Almost all of the missing items have now been replaced and much of the equipment on board has been restored to operation.
USS Pampanito completed her fourth maintenance drydocking since becoming a museum in Jan 2007. (See the Drydocking 2007 Press Release.) We are now seeking funding and preparing for her next drydocking. We also replaced her moorings in Oct 2010.
