Day 32 USS Salem and Navel Shipbuilding museum in Quincy MA
In the middle of this weekend, a great way to celebrate it would be at The United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum and USS Salem in Quincy, Massachusetts, in the former Fore River Shipyard.
While the USS Salem never saw any action it was in service for over 10 years. Ordered by the US Navy on 14 June, 1943, USS Salem (CA 139) was laid down on 4 July, 1945 at the Bethlehem Steel Company’s Quincy Yard in Quincy, MA and launched on 25 March, 1947. She was commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 14 May, 1949.
In October of 1994, Salem once again made her way north to her birthplace in Quincy, where she is now the centerpiece of the United States Naval and Shipbuilding. The ships has also been featured on the TV show GhostHunters and has Haunted Boat tours during the Halloween season.
The USS Salem has several interesting exhibits to see on 3rd deck. Some of the exhibits aboard are a U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Memorial Room, USS Salem Memorial Room, USS Newport News Memorial Room, and a Model Exhibit Display Room.
U.S. Navy Cruiser SailorsÂ
On 11 April 1992, seven World War II, Korean and Vietnam U.S. Navy Cruiser veterans met at the Fleet Reserve Hall, Davisville, Rhode Island to discuss the possibility of forming an association of cruiser sailors. On 18 June 1992 the U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Association was officially incorporated.
U. S. Navy SEALs Exhibit
A new exhibit celebrating the U. S. Navy SEALs opened September 28, 2002 at the United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum on the USS Salem (CA 139) in Quincy, MA. The exhibit had been under construction since July and shows some of the history of the SEALs as well as their training and function. Some of the contributors to the exhibit include Blackhawk Industries and the UDT-SEAL Museum. A large portion is dedicated to Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989.
Incorporated into the exhibit is a memorial for Lt (j.g.) John P. Connors killed in Operation Just Cause. He was a member of SEAL Team FOUR, one of those given the job of disabling Manuel Noriega’s airplane at Paitilla Airfield. Lt. Connors was one of four SEALs killed during that operation. He was a native of Arlington, MA and had graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in chemical engineering. He was a dedicated individual who would sacrifice anything for the people most important to him. His sole aim through ROTC was to enter BUD/S and become a SEAL.
The United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum and USS Salem are located at 739 Washington Street in Quincy, Massachusetts, in the former Fore River Shipyard. Phone  (617) 479-7900.
The Museum is currently Open Saturday and Sunday 10-4PM Reservations may be made for all other days to accommodate Group Tours, Birthday Parties, or special functions.
Groups of ten or more are asked to call and schedule so that we may best serve your group. Both self-guided and guided tours are available. (Guided tours subject to tour guide availability.) There are also overnight available for  boy and girl scout troops.
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 senior citizens, and children ages 4 – 12 years. Children 3 and under are free. (Note: Unfortunately the USS Salem is not currently handicap accessible)
Check out the directions and more information at the USS SalemÂ
