The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (AIMM) opened its doors in 2005 and is centered around the submarine USS Razorback (SS-394), a veteran of World War II, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. AIMM has a research library, a theater and a large museum area, in addition to the submarine. The USS Razorback is the longest-serving submarine in the world. Launched in 1944 from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, the USS Razorback entered Tokyo Harbor in 1945 with 11 other submarines to take part in the formal surrender of Japan.
The USS Razorback is 311 feet long, had a speed of 20 knots on the surface and was armed with six bow and four stern torpedo tubes.
After being awarded five battle stars in the Pacific Theater during World War II and four stars during the Vietnam War, the USS Razorback was sold to the Turkish Navy in 1970 and re-commissioned as the TCG Muratreis, conducting missions in the Black Sea and along the Marmara Sea coast until 2001. The submarine was sold to the City of North Little Rock in 2004 and then came across the Atlantic Ocean to its final home in the 501.
The AIMM is currently open 1 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Visitors wishing to tour the USS Razorback must be able to climb up and down 12-foot ladders unassisted. Quarters on the submarine are tight, limiting each tour group size to eight people.
The museum is also available for birthday parties, group tours, school field trips, and corporate events. Contact the museum staff at 501.371.8320 for more information.
Source: Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum.