USS Pampanito WWII Submarine

The USS Pampanito made six patrols in the Pacific during World War II during which she sank six Imperial Japanese ships and damaged four others. Operated by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association, the Pampanito hosts over 100,000 visitors a year and is one of the most popular historic vessels in the country. In addition to day time visitors, over 1,500 children a year participate in the Pampanito‘s educational day and overnight programs. The Pampanito is a National Historic Landmark.

The USS Pampanito is being restored to a specific point in time, late summer, 1945, to represent the height of WWII submarine development. The Association has scoured the country in search of missing equipment and spare parts. Almost all of the missing items have now been replaced and much of the equipment on board has been restored to operation.

We owe it to future generations to preserve our history, this includes on-going maintenance of the Pampanito. Museum ships are the only museum artifacts that are regularly stored in a corrosive environment (salt water.) Every seven years the Pampanito must be dry-docked in order to inspect, paint and complete vital repairs to her hull. We need your help, and are seeking funding to prepare for her next preservation drydocking. Please share the drydock brochure.