Portsmouth NH Homes Condos Real Estate

Living here in Portsmouth New Hampshire offers an abundance of history and places to view that historical background Portsmouth and the Seacoast is so rich with.  Just about everywhere you look, you can find all kinds of things to do here that make history so interesting.  

Growing up, I had no interest in anything to do with history at all, but I can tell you much of it fascinates me now.  

 

One of those great places that showcases some of the history here in Portsmouth is the USS Albacore Park, just a few steps from downtown, and very easy to get to from the major highways.





The USS Albacore was placed in retirement in September 1972 at the Naval Base in Philadelphia.  One of our former city councilors had a dream of bringing the Albacore home to her birth-port of Portsmouth NH.  Many others here in this area agreed, and after MOUNDS of paperwork and a few years of work and meetings, this park began to become a reality.

In April of 1984, the USS Albacore was towed up the Piscataqua River, making its way to what would become its final berth.  Much thought and planning went into how to get the submarine across a railroad bridge and a 4-lane road.  Finally a plan was put into place, which included dismantling the bridge and cutting through the road.  The 1,200 ton submarine was floated, at high tide of course, into position in the concrete cradle where she now rests permanently.

I remember when this was being done, and you could go down and watch the work they did taking the railroad bridge apart, and where they cut the road open.  They had to wait for just the perfect tide to float the Albacore across an amazing system of locks so she could be settled down where she is now.  That was BIG news around here, and it was something to see! 

 

 

I have driven by this park countless times since it was opened for visitors in August of 1986.  I finally actually went and toured this park and the Memorial Garden this past weekend.  What a special place it is, and one I highly recommend taking in if you're in the area, or if you live here.

 

 

 

Tours of the USS Albacore are available, and you can also learn much about the making of the submarine and its role in history by listening to the various audio narrations at different stands in the park.  The Visitors Center has all kinds of information on the Albacore as well as other interesting items and memorabilia on the military and the local area.

 

 



The Albacore's Memorial Garden is very touching to visit.  There are a number of memorial monuments and markers, a beautiful black granite dolphin carving which symbolizes submarine service, and granite benches that have been dedicated to submariners who lost their lives and to Rear Admiral Richard Kane. 

This Memorial Garden commemorates submarines and their crew members that were lost during the Cold War and during World War II.

The garden is a quiet and introspective testament to those who've gone before us in the name of their country.  Many thanks to all those who these monuments and markers are dedicated to for what they gave for all of us.


     
 These are some of the beautiful and touching memorials you'll find in the Memorial Garden at the Albacore Park

 

Portsmouth is a fabulous place to visit and it's an even better place to call HOME!!  This beautiful park is just one of the many reasons those of us who live here love it here.  

If you're thinking about making Portsmouth or any of the beautiful surrounding towns in New Hampshire or Southern Maine your new home, I'm happy to show you around this great area and to help you find your next home.  

Loving this area as much as I do just makes my job helping others make this their home so enjoyable and so much fun!  Let me know how I can help YOU!