Our Visit To San Diego's Maritime Museum
Including The B-39 Soviet Attack - "Foxtrot" Class Diesel-Electric Submarine
Like many Vista Cascade Residents, we routinely take the North County
Transit District’s Rail System, known locally as “The Coaster” to San Diego.
It
is a relaxing and beautiful coastal train ride, taking about an hour to reach
the “Santa Fe Depot” in downtown San Diego. From there it is a relatively easy
walk (less than ½ mile) to San Diego’s Maritime Museum. For a modest fee
(seniors over 62 $8.00 and a AAA card will make it $7.00) you gain entry to all
of the ships described below:
The
Maritime Museum of San Diego features one of the finest collections of historic
ships in the world, including; the world’s oldest active ship Star of India;
the 1898 steam ferry Berkeley; the 1904 steam yacht Medea;
the 1914 harbor Pilot boat and the Californian a replica of a
mid 19th century revenue cutter.
Currently the Museum also has the H.M.S. Surprise, and the B-39
Soviet Attack Submarine.
We
often take our out of town visitors to San Diego via the “Coaster,” and 3-1-06
we took some friends from Redding to see San Diego’s Maritime Museum with
emphasis on touring the Russian Submarine.
B-39,
assigned to the Soviet Pacific fleet, undoubtedly stalked many of the U.S.
Navy’s ships (which most probably included the Midway) home ported in San
Diego. Now, less than 20 years after the collapse of the Berlin Wall signaled
the end of the Cold War, she will be berthed on San Diego Bay amidst her former
adversaries. The Soviet B-39 submarines, classified as “Foxtrot” by NATO, are
essentially larger and more powerful versions of German World War II era
U-boats.
I
quickly decided that I would not make a good “submariner,” it would have been a
very cramped and “Spartan” existence in that Soviet Sub. In our opinion the
best cabin was the “Political Officer’s cabin. We thought it was superior to
even the Captain’s cabin.
We
had a wonderful time. All of the ships at the Museum alone are well worth the
entrance fee, but to see all of them for one modest price is truly a great
deal.
We
started the day with a breakfast at Ruby’s and capped off the day by having
lunch at Anthony’s Seafood Restaurant. Lunch at Anthony’s is still a great
bargain, and the clam chowder is delicious!
Our
next trip to San Diego via “The Coaster” will be at the “Old Town Stop.” All
you have to do is walk across the street and you’re in San Diego’s Historic Old
Town. That too is a great “Coaster” adventure.
Try
it -- we think you will like it!
Need more information? Contact Harvey or Joanne.