The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
A national and state historic landmark in Hackensack, NJ is in crisis.
The USS Ling, a Balao class submarine that served our nation in WWII is stuck in the mud in the Hackensack River in Hackensack, NJ.
The submarine has been at its present location since 1973 when the title was transferred to the Submarine Memorial Association who operated a museum at the site.
Continue reading A National and State Historic Landmark in Hackensack, is in Crisis
photos by ArtChick
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in NJ program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural, and archaeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost. The act of listing these resources acknowledges their importance to the heritage of New Jersey, and draws attention to the predicaments that endanger their survival and the survival of historic resources statewide. The list, generated from nominations by the public, aims to attract new perspectives and ideas to sites in desperate need of creative solutions.
photos courtesy of Louisville Naval Museum Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, the USS Ling has been stuck in Hackensack, NJ since 2015 in the Hackensack river ,near the old Bergen Record building . The group USS LING SS 297 plans to move her to Indiana for much needed drydock, and create a new naval museum (Louisville Naval Museum) with Ling as the main attraction.
Continue reading USS Ling Continues its Slow Progress to Recovery
photo by ArtChick
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Louisville Naval Museum bails out the USS Ling in the Hackensack river. According to the Louisville Naval Museum the Louisville Naval Museum Fundraiser effort is in Phase 1 of our capital campaign with the goal to raise $100,000. “Phase 1: Ready the USS Ling” will finance the preparation of the USS Ling for transport to the Louisville area. This includes necessary mechanical, legal and logistical expenses. We will focus on raising $10K from Facebook donations through the months of December and January. This initial infusion of much-needed funds will allow us to do critical work to launch this campaign. Any donation is greatly appreciated, and sharing is encouraged. Thank you for your commitment and support in this effort!
Continue reading Louisville Naval Museum bails out the USS Ling in the Hackensack river
Photo Courtesy of Hackensack Police Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, the Hackensack police have charged a Connecticut couple with stealing a lantern and shoulder lapel from the USS Ling submarine on the Hackensack River, at the old Bergen Record Headquarters , a short time after someone looted and flooded the landmark museum. Jon P. Stevens, 48, of West Haven, Connecticut, and Laura B. Palmese, 38, of Colcheser, Connecticut, were charged with burglary and theft . The pair allegedly parked at the Heritage Diner and “swam through the Hackensack River to the submarine” on Aug. 11th.
Continue reading Hackensack police have charged a Connecticut couple with stealing from the USS Ling
USS Ling for Veterans Day with Dave Campbell RHS Grad 1970 photos by ArtChick
June 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, USS Ling (SS-297) is the last of the fleet boats that patrolled American shores during World War II in response to U-Boat attacks off the coast of the United States. Ling made one Atlantic patrol before the war ended. Decommissioned in 1946, Ling became part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until reactivation as a submarine training vessel in 1960.
Ling was donated to the Submarine Memorial Association in 1971, and arrived at her present home in New Jersey in January 1973. The boat is now displayed in the Hackensack River, and is the official state naval museum for New Jersey.
Until a just a few years ago the Ling was the centerpiece exhibit of the New Jersey Naval Museum, which was located on the property adjacent to the ship’s berth. The submarine was closed to the public after the walkway leading to it from shore was swept away by superstorm Sandy in 2012, leaving no access to the foundered ship. The museum subsequently closed in 2015.
In 2016, the museum’s lease was terminated by the former publisher of The Record, Stephen Borg, whose grandfather negotiated the original deal to lease land to the museum for $1 a year. Last year, the Hackensack Planning Board voted to subdivide the 20-acre parcel of land into four lots for a redevelopment project, which would include a hotel and 700 residences.
The fate of the Ling is ultimately connected to the ability for it to be moved from its location .The LIng sits stranded in muck and mire ,perhaps even silted in, imprisoned by steel barriers, and rusting away; a sorry fate for the the once swift and proud naval warship.
