45°
Storms and extremely high tides damaged the access ramp, making it impossible for museum staff to get inside.
City and museum officials huddled, an on Sunday morning, members of Ladder 1 ascended to the top side of the craft, Fire Capt. Justin Derevyanik told Daily Voice.
Meter readings showed no harmful gases, Derevyanik said. So firefighters under the guidance of Ling staff "entered the sub and assisted with restoring power and getting the sump pumps working to remove water that accumulated in the bow," he said.
The USS Ling Naval Museum remains closed for additional repairs.
Built by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia, the Ling was commissioned in June 1945. She remained in New London, CT, for before sailing for the Panama Canal Zone.
After a little more than two weeks, the Ling headed north, was decomssioned and entered the
She was towed to the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1960 and was converted to a training shop.
A non-profit organization formed in 1972 saved the Ling from the scrapyard and brought her to Hackensack, where she was scrubbed, painted and polished for public tours as a memorial to "perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country," according to Wikipedia.
Compartments were refurbished and outfitted with authentic gear.
The New Jersey Naval Museum paid a dollar a year to rent the site until North Jersey Media Group in 2007 announced that it was selling the property.
Hurricane damage closed the museum in 2012.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Hackensack and receive free news updates.
