Vincennes Posted May 23, 2019 Share #1 Posted May 23, 2019 According to the web page THE DRIVE (https://www.thedrive.com/news/28167/midwest-flooding-re-floats-historic-wwii-submarine-for-the-first-time-in-decadesin Oklahoma) "The historic World War II submarine USS Batfish has re-floated once again nearly fifty years after it was dry docked on display in a park along the Arkansas River. Aerial video from KOTV News on 6 shows the USS Batfish floating comfortably in at least 15 feet of water on Wednesday as the Arkansas spills over its banks and swamps the city of Muskogee. Normally, the 77-year-old Balao-class submarine serves as the centerpiece for Muskogee's War Memorial Park, standing bare on a bowl-shaped lawn as both an interactive museum and a point of pride for the region. But these floodwaters have it sailing again like it's 1943. The boat began to lift up as water filled the surrounding basin, prompting an evacuation of the museum while caretakers removed WWII-era artifacts for safekeeping. That decision seemed even wiser as the USS Batfish began to list as it floated ever-higher; local firefighters later filled its ballast tanks to level it out. It remains to be seen whether the old sub will stay watertight." Below are pictures of the USS Batfish under normal conditions and now afloat. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted May 23, 2019 Share #2 Posted May 23, 2019 Same thing happened to the USS Hazard in Omaha during the 2011 floods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron3-6 Posted May 23, 2019 Share #3 Posted May 23, 2019 Well guess it pays to be a floating museum in a flood plain....glad they got a plan, hope the old lady holds together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted May 23, 2019 Share #4 Posted May 23, 2019 Drop anchor. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Meatcan Posted May 24, 2019 Share #5 Posted May 24, 2019 She looks more at home in brown water than green grass. Hope everything survives the flooding. Thanks for sharing the link. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted May 24, 2019 Share #6 Posted May 24, 2019 She still floats better than the U.S.S. Texas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWalsh Posted May 24, 2019 Share #7 Posted May 24, 2019 Man I hope that thing makes it safe and sound... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted May 24, 2019 Share #8 Posted May 24, 2019 Now it is free to hunt enemy convoys in the Midwest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted May 24, 2019 Share #9 Posted May 24, 2019 Who ever it was that decided against knocking an entrance Hole into the side of her, should be thanked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted May 24, 2019 Share #10 Posted May 24, 2019 Notice they have deployed the diving planes...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted May 24, 2019 Share #11 Posted May 24, 2019 I think I saw on the local news that they've called out the National Guard to try and better secure the Batfish as it's only being held by one line at this time. If the one line breaks before it can better be secured, she could float away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted May 24, 2019 Share #12 Posted May 24, 2019 Posted Today, 03:33 PM Notice they have deployed the diving planes...... Chief of the Watch, last man down from the bridge, hatch secured, bridge rigged for dive. Officer of the deck, submerge the ship. Dive...dive...dive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted May 24, 2019 Share #13 Posted May 24, 2019 Notice they have deployed the diving planes...... I had to go back and look at the photos again and sure enough, they did deploy them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeclown Posted May 30, 2019 Share #14 Posted May 30, 2019 Golden Shellback for that cruise lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincennes Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted May 30, 2019 As of Thursday morning (May 30) the channel 6 news in Tulsa is reporting: "The Muskogee War Memorial Park is now holding a fundraiser to restore the USS Batfish. Museum staff were able to secure the World War II submarine and prevent it from floating down the Arkansas River, but they say the Batfish could have water damage.They also say they'll have a limited amount of time to reposition the boat back into its usual location when the water starts to recede.The museum says it'll need at least $150,000 for the work.The museum has started a Go Fund Me page to help the USS Batfish." Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 8, 2019 Share #16 Posted July 8, 2019 UPDATE: Officials: $1.5 million needed to secure World War II submarine https://kfor.com/2019/07/07/officials-1-5-million-needed-to-secure-world-war-ii-submarine/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted July 11, 2019 Share #17 Posted July 11, 2019 UPDATE: Officials: $1.5 million needed to secure World War II submarine https://kfor.com/2019/07/07/officials-1-5-million-needed-to-secure-world-war-ii-submarine/ A GATO Class Sub in 1940 Cost: $2.85 million (1940) By wars end I bet they were cheaper than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted July 11, 2019 Share #18 Posted July 11, 2019 A GATO Class Sub in 1940 Cost: $2.85 million (1940) By wars end I bet they were cheaper than that. According to an inflation calculators that I pulled up $2.85 million in 1940 dollars would be $49.66 million to $56.15 million in today's dollars. Still inexpensive compared to what they pay for ships and subs today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted November 24, 2019 Share #19 Posted November 24, 2019 An update and some good news regarding the USS Batfish. Some possible fund raising methods for others to think about in a similar situation. Video game raises $45k in a week for the USS Batfish, as the state rallies to save the subhttps://okcfox.com/news/local/video-game-raises-45k-in-a-week-for-the-uss-batfish-as-the-state-rallies-to-save-the-sub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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