Landlocked Leviathan: The USS Batfish's Most Un-Submarine Voyage
Ever heard of a submarine that went on a road trip? Well, not exactly a road trip, but the USS Batfish's journey to Oklahoma is definitely a story that'll make you raise an eyebrow (or fin?). Buckle up, landlubbers, because we're diving deep (well, not that deep) into this fishy tale.
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| How Did The Uss Batfish Get To Oklahoma |
From Salty Seas to Sooner State: A Fish Out of Water
The USS Batfish, a WWII hero with five enemy sinkings to its name, was due for retirement. But instead of a quiet dismantling, the Navy offered the sub up for display as a memorial. Enter Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, a man on a mission (and possibly with a slight case of misplaced mermaids).
Inhofe originally wanted a different sub, the USS Piranha, for his home state. But the Navy, perhaps wanting to avoid confusion with a particularly toothy house pet, politely declined. Undeterred, Inhofe set his sights on the Batfish, and thus began the most unusual submarine relocation project ever.
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Operation: Batfish on a Barge: Not Your Typical Naval Maneuver
Here's where things get interesting. Moving a submarine by sea? Easy peasy. Moving a several-hundred-foot-long metal fish hundreds of miles inland? That's a whole different kettle of, well, not exactly fish.
The solution? A flotilla of barges. Yes, you read that right. The Batfish was carefully placed on a series of barges, then slowly chugged up the Mississippi River and its somewhat surprised tributary, the Arkansas River.
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Let's just say it wasn't the most glamorous voyage. Imagine a World War II submarine, used to the thrill of the hunt, reduced to sightseeing along cornfields. You gotta wonder what the catfish were thinking.
From River to Resting Place: The Batfish Finds its Final Home
The journey wasn't without its challenges. The Arkansas River wasn't exactly built for deep-sea vessels, you know? To clear the way, the US Army Corps of Engineers even had to lower the river level in some spots. Talk about bending over backwards (or sideways, in this case) to accommodate a sub.
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Finally, in 1973, after what must have felt like an eternity on a barge, the Batfish arrived in Muskogee, Oklahoma. A special berth was built, and there she sits today, a landlocked monument to a bygone era (and a testament to human ingenuity, or perhaps stubbornness).
So, You Want to Give Your Own Submarine a Land Vacation? How To... (Probably Not Recommended, But Here You Go Anyway)
1. How to convince the Navy to donate a submarine?This one's tricky. Maybe offer them a lifetime supply of Oklahoma onion burgers? (No guarantees).
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2. How to find a barge big enough for a submarine?Look for listings under "Unusual Moving Needs." Bring your checkbook.
3. How to convince a river to lower its water level?Befriend a very charismatic civil engineer. Be prepared for paperwork.
4. How to build a dry berth for your landlocked submarine?Consult a structural engineer who specializes in the unexpected. (Submarines on land are unexpected.)
5. How to explain to your neighbors why there's a submarine in your backyard?Start with, "It's a long story," and have a good supply of pictures. They might not believe you, but hey, at least you'll have a story to tell.
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