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All the United States Washington Bremerton Sail of the USS Parche

Sail of the USS Parche

The only surviving piece of a submarine said to be the most decorated vessel in U.S. history.

Bremerton, Washington

Added By
William Creswell
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The sail of the USS Parche.   crackdogx / Atlas Obscura User
The sail of the USS Parche.   crackdogx / Atlas Obscura User
  Soozcat / Atlas Obscura User
Fountains in back of the Naval Museum  
Fountains in back of the Naval Museum  
A view of the car ferry from the park in back of the Naval Museum  
A view of the sound from the park  
The shipyard as viewed from the park  
List of awards bestowed on the USS Parche.   crackdogx / Atlas Obscura User
The sail of the USS Parche with the Puget Sound Navy Museum in the background.   crackdogx / Atlas Obscura User
Sail of the USS Parche.   crackdogx / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque.   crackdogx / Atlas Obscura User
Fountains in back of the Naval Museum  
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About

As you exit the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, Washington, you’ll notice an odd sight to your left near the dock entrance. A large black form with airplane-like wings rises out of the ground beside the entrance to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

This is, in fact, the last remaining piece of what’s said to be the most decorated vessel in United States history, the USS Parche. It's one of two U.S. Navy ships to be named after the butterflyfish. The vessel spent 30 years undertaking numerous missions, many of which were clandestine and are still considered classified.

The Parche, a Sturgeon-class nuclear submarine, was launched on January 13, 1973. During its many years of service, it was awarded nine Presidential Unit Citations, 10 Navy Unit Commendations, 15 Navy Battle "E" awards, and 13 Navy Expeditionary Medals.

In 2004, the Parche was decommissioned and scrapped two years later at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The submarine's sail was preserved and is displayed near the Puget Sound Navy Museum. The sail is the centerpiece of the plaza, which is also decorated with fountains, sculptures, and plaques that tell the story of the shipyard's history.

Related Tags

Military History Submarines Naval History Military

Know Before You Go

Arriving from Seattle by ferry the plaza can be seen to your left as you exit the ferry dock.

Community Contributors

Added By

crackdogx

Edited By

bobrenner38, Soozcat

  • bobrenner38
  • Soozcat

Published

April 26, 2018

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  • http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=31449
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Parche_(SSN-683)
Sail of the USS Parche
251 1st St
Bremerton, Washington
United States
47.563081, -122.626572
Get Directions

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Photo of Washington

Washington

United States

Places 323
Stories 38

Nearby Places

Elandan Gardens

Port Orchard, Washington

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Washington

Washington

United States

Places 323
Stories 38

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