Independence Seaport Museum

Cruiser Olympia & Submarine Becuna, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Independence Seaport Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum opened in 1961 as a way to preserve the maritime history of Philadelphia. The museum itself spans two floors of exhibits and interactive displays, while outside you can access both the Becuna and Olympia with self-guided tours.

Cruiser Olympia at dock at the Independence Seaport Museum (39.943650, -75.141193)

Inside Submarine Becuna (39.943650, -75.141193)

Cruiser Olympia, launched in 1892, is the oldest steel warship afloat today. Olympia is best known as Commodore George Dewey’s flagship in the Battle of Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, during the 1898 Spanish American War. After defeating the Spanish fleet, the United States was propelled into a future legacy as a world leader.

Following the War, Olympia was often used as a visible reminder of President Teddy Roosevelt’s gunboat diplomacy, “Walk softly and carry a big stick.” In 1918 she was dispatched to the Baltic Sea as part of the Russian Expeditionary Force in the earliest global attempt to defeat communism in Russia. Her final mission in 1921 was to bring back from France the body of the Unknown Soldier to his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.

Olympia was decommissioned in December 1922 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

Submarine Becuna, a Balaeo class submarine, was launched January 30, 1944 at Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut. On May 27, 1944 she was commissioned to serve in the Southwest Pacific Fleet under General Douglas MacArthur. Her five combat patrols during World War II extended from August 1944 to July 1945.

Following the war, Becuna continued her service in the U.S. Navy through much of the Cold War, serving the Atlantic Theater after 1949. In 1951 Becuna was modified to a GUPPY (Greater Underwater Propulsion) 1A Class submarine.

Becuna was decommissioned in November 1969 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1986.