My Town Monday: Long Beach, CA
We're here in the OC for water polo Junior Olympics. Go, Child #2 and Child #3!!
So, on this fine and balmy Monday, my post comes to you from the not-too-far-away port of Long Beach.
Where a diesel-electric attack RUSSIAN submarine is moored next to the Queen Mary. You can take a self-guided tour of this still-operational sub. I should mention, though, it is a bit of a challenge to maneuver around.
In 1994, a group of businessmen purchased the submarine, known as the Scorpion. The Scorpion was built in 1974 just outside St. Petersburg and commissioned into the Soviet Navy where she completed secret missions for about twenty years. She was one of the quietest Soviet subs and was definitely used for US surveillance.
Climb down the hatch into the squishy quarters and see such things as torpedo rooms, the control room, bunks (which were shared), the kitchen, a periscope and more. Plus all the instruments are labeled in Russian. Something about that just grabbed me.
It'll cost you about $12 (adults) and $10 (kids). For more info, call 562-432-0424 or click here for more info about the Scorpion. Oh yeah, and the address is 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802-6390.
It's definitely worth the time and money to be able to brag, "I was on board a Russian sub." And, if you're looking to impress, here's how you say it in Russian:Podvodnaya Lodka. Sorry. No hints on pronunciation.
Many thanks to Travis Erwin for spearheading the My Town Monday posts. Click here for Travis' on-the-road post and for links to the other My Town Monday participants.
Back to more water polo...
Posts
I wonder how different it is from an American sub. Not that I've been on either.
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought that a Russian submarine would be such a great attraction!
ReplyDeleteTerrie
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am reposting my comment--corrected.
ReplyDeleteThe USS Cod is moored in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a museum. Years ago, my family toured it---or tried. My 6'4" father couldn't fit down the entrance!
I vaguely remember it as being somewhat claustrophobic.
I'm impressed by anyone who can play water polo. What a grueling sport and the sub sounds cool but at 6'5" I'd probably have hell being that cramped up.
ReplyDeleteI've toured a sub before, one even smaller than this, and I'm glad I did it when I was younger. Definitely a tight fit. But my brother-in-law, who is a big guy "Served" on submarines. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI can think of one blogger who will be very jealous of the Russian submarine. I'll have to send her this way. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother great "my town".
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun. :D Thanks for the "tour".
ReplyDeleteThe submarine tour sounded interesting. I've been in one before but found things too cramped for me.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing! The "hunt" for red october officially over?! That's awesome, like I told Travis, I must get into the MTM thang...but I only live 65 miles from him so he's probably covered everything cool!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on you book deal, how heartning to know some people actually DO sell their stories!
Keep it up
Wow, that would be really cool, if I weren't claustrophobic! Great post though.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen OUR Russian submarine next to the Star of India? It's in fairly bad shape, so it's not operational. It actually makes you feel a little more comfortable knowing that it's not going to take off while you're touring. You know how you can get a little paranoid when you're in cramped quarters...
ReplyDeleteI have not been to the Russian sub moored here in San Diego. I should go. And look around the Star of India at the same time. :)
ReplyDelete