OMSI submarine listed on National Register

[Lance Dean]

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2008/10/omsi_submarine_listed_on_natio.html

OMSI submarine listed on National Register
by The Oregonian
Tuesday October 14, 2008, 3:42 PM

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's submarine USS Blueback has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Barbel class submarine commissioned in 1959, the USS Blueback is the last non-nuclear powered submarine built by the U.S. Navy. She is considered nationally significant for her transitional engineering and design.

Only three Barbel class submarines were ever built. The vessels combined World War II-era diesel/electric motor technology with a tear-drop hull shape and other improvements that were incorporated into later submarine designs.

As the last surviving Barbel class, OMSI's submarine represents an important transition in maritime technology and navel warfare.

The USS Blueback served in the Navy's Pacific Fleet for 31 years and made the longest-ever submerged voyage by a diesel/electric submarine, traveling 5,340 miles from Yokosuka, Japan, to San Diego. And she's a movie star, appearing in the 1990 movie "The Hunt for Red October.''

Forty-five minute guided tours of the submarine are available during regular museum hours.

The USS Blueback joins more than 500 historic Portland properties listed in the National Register.

--Susan Green

[Paul Farace]

Joins more than 500 properties...?? This site is UNIQUE!  Let's hope someone opens their eyes and gets the ball rolling for NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK status!  That carries a lot more weight then registry sites!   That is like a hot, sexy babe being given the title "Above Average Looking Chick."  Let's go for centerfold of the YEAR!