Latest news with #SubmarineMuseum
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Fighter jet display to raise interest in museum
MELAKA: A plan to put on display a retired Russian-built MiG-29 fighter jet at the Submarine Museum at Klebang here will raise interest in the museum, says Klebang assemblyman Datuk Lim Ban Hong. 'The museum recorded more than 100,000 visitors last year, which demonstrates strong public interest in its displays. 'In an effort to attract more public interest, the management is planning to introduce new exhibits that will not only complement the museum's existing maritime theme, but also introduce new elements,' he said. The MiG-29, developed by the Soviet Union and widely used by various air forces around the world, was a core component of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) from 1995 until its retirement in 2017. 'Placing it at the museum allows the public to appreciate not just the country's naval achievements, but also the strength and evolution of our air force,' he added. The museum, which was opened in 2011, is already home to the Quessant, a decommissioned French-built Agosta class submarine that once trained Malaysia's pioneer submarine crews between 2005 and 2009.
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Submarine Museum plans to display MiG-29 fighter jet as new attraction
MELAKA: The Submarine Museum in Klebang plans to display a retired Russian-built MiG-29 fighter jet to attract more visitors, says Datuk Lim Ban Hong. The Klebang assemblyman stated that the museum authorities are seeking permission to have the decommissioned jet displayed. "The museum recorded more than 100,000 visitors last year. To sustain and grow that momentum, the museum is planning to introduce new exhibits that not only complement the existing maritime theme but also introduce new elements to the site," he said on Wednesday (June 11). The MiG-29, developed by the Soviet Union and extensively utilised by various air forces globally, served as a core component of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) from 1995 until its retirement in 2017. Lim said the aircraft represents an important chapter in the nation's defence history. "Placing it at the museum allows the public to appreciate not just naval achievements, but also the strength and evolution of our air force,' he said The museum, which opened in 2011, is home to the Quessant, a decommissioned French-built Agosta Class 70 submarine that once trained Malaysia's pioneer submarine crews between 2005 and 2009. "With this new exhibit, we have an opportunity to rebrand the museum as more than just a maritime destination. "I encourage stakeholders in the tourism sector to develop packages, organise school trips and promote them actively, especially during school holidays and festive seasons,' he said. Lim also stressed how crucial marketing and strategic partnerships between tourism players and the media are in keeping the museum relevant and competitive as a local and regional attraction. 'There is so much potential here. "We need to turn this into a landmark that not only attracts domestic tourists, but also international visitors,' he added.
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- General
- Business Insider
Climb aboard the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine that sank 23 enemy vessels and earned 12 battle stars
Christmas Eve, 1942. The USS Silversides, a US Navy submarine, is surrounded by Japanese warships on a covert patrol in enemy-controlled waters. And George Platter's appendix is about to burst. Platter, a crew member on the USS Silversides, will die if he doesn't get surgery immediately. When the commanding officer gives the order, crew members spring into action. They fashion surgical tools out of utensils from the galley. They find an ironing board to prop up Platter's feet since the table in the wardroom is too short to lay him flat. They submerge beneath the waves to create more stability for the operation, even though the submarine's batteries are only partially charged. The pharmacist's mate, Thomas Moore, has never performed the surgery before. He keeps a medical textbook open next to him the whole time. Platter wakes up during the surgery when the local anesthetic wears off, so they sedate him with ether. It leaks into the rest of the submarine and sedates some of the crew, as well. After four hours, against all odds, the surgery is successful. Platter makes a full recovery and is back on watch six days later. It's extraordinary stories like these that are preserved at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, Michigan. Visitors can climb aboard the historic submarine, which was awarded 12 battle stars for its service in World War II, and explore its battle stations, cramped bunks, and even the operating table where Platter received his appendectomy. Take a look inside the USS Silversides. Commissioned in 1941, the USS Silversides sank 23 ships over its 14 war patrols, making it one of the most successful American submarines from World War II. The Gato-class submarine measures 312 feet long and weighs 2,410 tons while submerged. Its standard crew consisted of eight officers and 72 enlisted men. After it was decommissioned in 1946, the USS Silversides was used as a teaching submarine and became a National Historic Landmark. From 1947 to 1969, the USS Silversides was used as a training vessel for the Ninth Naval District in Chicago. It was then moved to the Naval Armory and Navy Pier before arriving in Muskegon to serve as a museum in 1987. It was also used as a movie set for the 2002 film "Below." The submarine is now the star attraction at the USS Silversides Museum in Muskegon, Michigan. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum is open seven days a week from April through December and operates Thursday through Monday in the winter months of January, February, and March. An all-inclusive ticket to the museum costs $17.50 for adults, $15 for veterans, and is free of charge for active-duty service members. Tickets can be purchased on the museum's website. Like the USS Cobia in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the museum also offers visitors the chance to spend a night on the submarine. The USS Silversides is docked outside the museum in the Muskegon Lake Channel, which leads into Lake Michigan. The Lake Express ferry passes by the USS Silversides Submarine Museum on its route between Muskegon and Milwaukee. As I began my tour of the submarine, the ferry honked its horn as passengers waved at me from the upper deck. The deck featured weapons such as a 4-inch, 50-caliber deck gun, a 40-millimeter antiaircraft gun, and a 20-millimeter surface-to-surface gun. The 40-millimeter antiaircraft gun had the longest range, capable of shooting targets up to 22,800 feet away. A plaque on the deck memorialized crew member Mike Harbin, who was killed by enemy fire while manning the deck gun. Harbin was 19 years old when he was shot in battle on May 10, 1942. He was buried at sea. The torpedo loading ramp was made of a wood called lignum vitae, which gets slippery when wet. Decals on the side of the submarine indicated its many wartime accomplishments. The USS Silversides featured stickers showing that it sank 30 ships, but that number has since been amended to 23, Bethann Egan, the museum's executive director, told BI. The USS Silversides also damaged 14 ships, cleared 16 enemy mines, and rescued two American paratroopers. The first stop on my tour was the forward torpedo room, where crew members loaded torpedoes into the six torpedo tubes. The room slept 16 crew members on bunks that unfolded alongside the torpedoes, which measured 22 feet long and weighed 3,000 pounds. Lockers located above the bunks were used to store personal possessions. All of a crew member's personal items had to fit into one small locker. Colored lights were used to help crew members' eyes adjust to the dark to prevent night blindness. If the submarine was too bright inside, crew members wouldn't be able to see in the dark if they went up onto the deck at night during an attack. The lights used to be blue and then switched to red, which is why the light fixture said "blue" on it even though the light bulb was red. The shower and bathroom in the forward torpedo room were used by the officers, whose bunks were located down the hall. Flushing the toilet on the USS Silversides was a 12-step process. One wrong move would cause the toilet's contents to shoot back out. Meals were plated and reheated in the officers' pantry. The table on display in the wardroom was the original table where George Platter's successful appendectomy took place in 1942. "The pharmacist's mate who actually performed it did not technically have permission from all the way up, but the commander made the decision that this needed to happen or else the sailor was going to die," Egan said. "So he stood up for him and made sure that he was not court-martialed after." The wardroom also served as the officers' dining room and lounge. The higher an officer's rank, the fewer people he had to share a room with. Junior and senior officers served as administrators on the submarine, while the executive officer, known as the "XO," was second-in-command to the commanding officer. Officers' quarters included fold-out desks and sinks. The commanding officer enjoyed the only private room on the submarine. His stateroom featured a depth gauge and a compass above the bed so that he could tell how deep the submarine was and which way it was facing at all times. Chief petty officers slept in a room nicknamed the "goat locker." According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the nickname dates back to the 1890s, when chief petty officers took care of the goats kept on ships for fresh milk. Another explanation is that chief petty officers served in the Navy for over a decade to reach their positions and were known as "old goats." In the yeoman's shack, the yeoman handled the submarine's paperwork. In addition to managing personnel records, the yeoman also kept logs of the submarine's changes in direction, speed, and depth. In the control room, crew members managed the USS Silversides' vital functions with numerous technical instruments. The bow and stern plane wheels pictured above controlled the submarine's depth and angle. The commanding officer would give commands like "Two degrees right rudder," which the crew would repeat and execute. The ship's inclinometer worked like a carpenter's level to show if the submarine was tilting to one side or the other. Keith Gill, the museum's director of curatorial services, told BI that staff members use this inclinometer "every day" to check on the submarine. "It's almost never centered, and that's because we have some leaks in some tanks that we're monitoring and adjusting air pressure to keep water out," Gill said. The hull opening indicator light panel was known as the "Christmas tree" for its red and green lights. A green light indicated that a vent or hatch was closed, while red meant it was open. The submarine could only submerge when the board was fully lit up in green. The helmsman's wheel steered the submarine. On some World War II submarines, such as the USS Becuna, the main helm was located in the conning tower above the control room. On the USS Silversides, the main helm was in the control room itself. The control room also housed the compressed air manifold and trim manifold. The compressed air manifold distributed compressed air throughout the submarine, which was used to start the engines, fire torpedoes, and surface the vessel. The trim manifold showed how much weight was located in different tanks on the submarine and moved water between them to maintain the ship's balance as it used up fuel or fired weapons. In the radio room, crew members could communicate with vessels up to 12,000 miles away. Cooks prepared all of the crew's meals in the galley. Cooks were also trained to operate the deck guns and perform other technical tasks around the submarine. Gill noted that during World War II, Black crew members were often relegated to roles in the kitchen and were not allowed to advance beyond serving as stewards due to the Navy's segregation policies. "One of the negative sides of our past is how we treated African-American citizens," he said. "They were in the military, but they were segregated somewhat. On a Navy ship, on a sub, you really can't segregate, but you can control what they're doing." The kitchen featured a piece of equipment I'd never seen on a submarine before: a soft-serve ice cream machine. The kitchen also included a deep fryer. Crew members ate meals in three shifts in the crew's mess. Submarines were known for doing some of the most dangerous work and having some of the most difficult living conditions in the military, but they made up for it by ensuring sailors received the best food. Submariners also received hazard pay, the highest in the Navy. The enlisted men also slept in shifts in the crew's quarters. Newer crew members slept on the bottom bunks, which could also occasionally be used as food storage early on in a patrol. "Supposedly, they called this the honeymoon suite on top," Egan said. "I don't know if that's 100% accurate." The mattresses in the two middle bunks were placed so close together that they essentially functioned as one bed. Regular crew members only showered every 13 to 15 days in the crew's washroom. Officers showered every three to five days, while the cooks showered every day since they were handling food. The forward and after engine rooms each contained two 1,600-horsepower diesel engines manufactured by Fairbanks and Morse. At top speed, the USS Silversides could travel at 21 knots, or about 24 miles per hour. The forward engine room also contained two evaporators that distilled ocean water into fresh water. The engines are still operational. The USS Silversides' insignia was painted on one of the after engines. The logo depicts a silverside fish smoking a cigar and holding a torpedo. The maneuvering room was manned by two electricians who controlled the propulsion of the submarine. At full power, the USS Silversides used 4 million watts of electricity. The last stop on the tour was the after torpedo room in the back of the submarine. The after torpedo room was smaller than the forward torpedo room, with four torpedo tubes and room for eight torpedoes. The room displayed a real demilitarized Mark 18 electric torpedo. Electric torpedoes like the Mark 18 didn't leave a wake, or trail of waves, behind them, making them more difficult to detect. After I finished my tour of the submarine, I visited the museum itself, which featured photos and artifacts from World War II and beyond. I particularly enjoyed an exhibit about the appendectomy that took place in the wardroom featuring photos from the procedure. Preserving the aging submarine is no small task, but the USS Silversides remains a fascinating testament to the dedication of American service members in World War II. After running its engines in an annual Memorial Day tribute, the museum hopes to give the USS Silversides its first oil change since the 1950s this summer. Eventually, the entire vessel will have to be removed from the water and dry-docked due to leaks in its tanks. The museum applied for federal funding through the Save America's Treasures grant program, but Egan said they may not end up receiving it due to sweeping cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency. "They have not officially cut that funding source yet, but it's not looking good," Egan said. When the submarine was on active duty, the entire 80-person crew worked tirelessly to maintain the ship, and the Navy financed all necessary repairs and upgrades. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum's preservation efforts, however, are privately funded and largely volunteer-driven. "We're just poor museum people who are trying to honor the commitment that these guys made over 14 war patrols to protect our country," Gill said.
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
24 hours in pictures, 1 May 2025
24 hours in pictures, 1 May 2025 Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world. A cat wears an earmuff product used to protect pets from loud noise during the Pet Expo Thailand 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, 01 May 2025. The annual Pet Expo trade runs from 01 to 04 May. Picture: EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT Chief of the South African Navy Vice Admiral Monde Lobesea and mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis at the launch of the SAS Assegaai Submarine Museum the first of its kind in Africa on April 29, 2025 in Simons Town, South Africa. The 58-meter, 700-ton vessel now serves as a historical landmark and tourism attraction, offering an immersive look into South Africa?s naval legacy. The official opening is attended by Navy leadership, City of Cape Town representatives, and donors who made the project possible. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) Supporters of the Sri Lanka Frontline Socialist Party march during the International Labor Day rally in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 01 May 2025. International Labor Day, or May Day, is observed worldwide on the first day of May to celebrate workers' economic and social achievements and to fight for laborers' rights. Picture: EPA-EFE/CHAMILA KARUNARATHNE Priests at the National Ecumenical Memorial Service celebrating Pope Francis at Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church on May 01, 2025 in Soweto, South Africa. The service honours the Holy Father's papacy which was defined by humility, compassion and the tenderness of God's heart for the poor, weak and vulnerable in the world. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) An image made with a drone shows revellers casting shadows as they dance around the village Maypole in Ickwell, Britain, 01 May 2025. May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer. In the UK, the festival is celebrated with folk customs such as Morris sides, a traditional English folk dance often involving sticks and handkerchiefs. Picture: EPA-EFE/NEIL HALL A Pakistani laborer poses for a portrait at a local salt factory during International Workers' Day in Peshawar, Pakistan, 01 May 2025. Labor Day, or May Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on 01 May to honor laborers, their rights, achievements, and contributions to society. Picture: EPA-EFE/BILAWAL ARBAB Participants attend the 25th edition of the Mountain Balloon Competition 'Balony nad Krosnem 2025' in Krosno, Poland, 01 May 2025. The event was organized by the Open Hearts Foundation of Boguslawa Nykiel-Ostrowska, Podkarpackie Aeroclub, the Regional Center of Borderland Cultures, and the city of Krosno. Picture: EPA-EFE/DAREK DELMANOWICZ Protesters gather and chant union slogans, while others hold Palestinian flags during a May Day rally in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, 01 May 2025. Workers from both the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) and the Mining, Metal and Allied Workers Union (MMAWUSA) call for improved workers' rights in the country. Picture: EPA-EFE/KIM LUDBROOK Activists dance as they take part in a Labor Day rally in Dakar, Senegal, 01 May 2025. Labor Day, or May Day, is observed worldwide on 01 May to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers, as well as to fight for laborers' rights. Picture: EPA-EFE/JEROME FAVRE DA Johannesburg Caucus leader Belinda Kayser Echeozonjoku, together with DA members, gathered outside the Johannesburg Central Police Station on April 30, 2025. The DA has laid criminal charges of fraud, corruption, and possible money laundering against five senior City of Johannesburg officials in connection with the disappearance of over R18 million in municipal funds. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) A participant wears allien costume during the satirical demonstration 'Grunewald Space Agency' on May Day in the Grunewald district of Berlin, Germany, 01 May 2025. Labor Day, or May Day, is observed worldwide on 01 May to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers, as well as to fight for laborers' rights. Picture: EPA-EFE/FILIP SINGER ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula during the ANC media briefing on matters of national interest at Chief Albert Luthuli House on April 30, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This briefing is focusing on key matters relating to the National Budget and the forward outlook relating to the national fiscal framework and parliamentary process. (Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi) Runners compete in the 21-kilometer race of the annual Beirut International Marathon in Beirut, Lebanon, 01 May 2025. The marathon this year is under the slogan 'Let's run from finish to start'. Picture: EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH MORE: 24 hours in pictures, 29 April 2025
