USS Ling SS-297 Virtual Cache
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At nearly 2,500 tons and an impressive 312 feet, the USS Ling has been a fixture on the banks of the Hackensack River since 1973 when the US Navy offered it to a group of local veterans for use as a floating museum. Since then, the World War II-era Baleo-class submarine has had good and bad days permanently berthed in NJ while serving as a constant reminder of the impact submarines made in WWII and the dangers of being deployed on one. To honor those brave men, the Ling housed four bronze plaques, dedicated to the sailors lost on the 52 US submarines that sunk during the war.
Sporting four diesel engines connected to electric generators and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes (six forward and four aft), the Ling has impressed thousands of visitors over the years. Unfortunately, both the NJ Naval Museum and the Submarine Memorial Association (responsible for the Ling’s restoration) were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. They managed to reopen the exhibit until the pier collapsed in 2015 leaving the Ling inaccessible to the public and the Naval Museum eventually closed its doors. All that remains now is an abandoned building, a few large artifacts, a monument, and a once majestic submarine mired in the muck. There has been talk of possibly moving the Ling to a new location for restoration but the river is significantly shallower than it was in the 70s due to silt accumulation and, in August 2018, vandals stole the memorial plaques off of the Ling while strategically forcing open hatches to flood the vessel making any attempt at rescue virtually impossible.
The area has public parking as well as a tow-away zone (that is not posted well) so please be mindful of where you park. The pier is blocked off due to damage so please DO NOT go past the barriers.
There are two ways to claim this smiley. 1. As you are facing the vessel, you will notice multiple objects on your starboard (right) side. To claim credit for the find, please email a description of the tallest of these structures. 2. There is also currently a recognizable object stuck in a hole in one of pilings next to the path near the Ling. Post a pic of you, a signature item. or your GPS near the hole on that piling to receive credit for the find.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vg'f 312 srrg ybat fb... V'z cerggl fher lbh'yy frr vg. :)
Treasures
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