USS Hornet Museum

707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501, USA

Address:	707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501, USA
Phone:	+1 510-521-8448
Site:	uss-hornet.org
Rating:	4.4
Working:	10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Bruce

There was so much material about the "USS Hornet" that its "impossible" to add everything, so I just hit a few of the highlights. The USS Hornet is an Essex Aircraft Carrier and launched on August 30, 1943 from Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Virginia. After her shakedown and sea trials she was commissioned on November 29, 1943 and carried 2,600 officers and enlisted personnel. Her fighters were responsible for shooting down 52 Japanese planes in the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" and during that same month her pilots shot down 67 planes at Iwo Jima. For her services, the USS Hornet earned 9 battle stars and awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her WWII operations. After armistice signed with Japan (Sept 1945), the Hornet was used as a troop transport in Operation "Magic Carpet," bringing veterans of the Pacific to the West Coast. On 14 Aug 1946, the Hornet was deactivated from the 19th Pacific Fleet and on 15 Jan 1947, she was decommissioned at Hunters Point, San Francisco, California. In 1969, she was responsible for the safe recovery of the crew of Apollo 11 (Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin), the first men to walk the moon and Michael Collins. In 1991, she was a National Historic Landmark (State Historic Landmark 1999) and in 1998, opened to the public as an aircraft museum in Alameda, California. "Did you know......" the USS Hornet is the most haunted warship in the American Navy?!" In 2011, the USS Hornet was featured on Ghost Adventures, Season 4, Episode 8. "They filmed where we actually slept!" Our stay aboard this ship: My son and I spent the evening on this remarkable ship in 2012, while he was in the Boy scouts! I remember just looking at this ship before boarding her and was overwhelmed at her enormous size! There are modern aircraft carriers that are much larger than the USS Hornet but this one is a living museum piece! The ship has many interesting static displays such as vintage aircraft, the Apollo module, a helicopter, jet aircraft, along with numerous documents related to the USS Hornets past accomplishments. A few months prior, the ships "Museum Custodian," offered the scouts an arrangement. For their service, for a "days work" of scrubbing "the decks," we were granted permission to stay on board overnight! So everyone, myself included earned our keep by scrubbing down the "Mess Hall" and other compartments of the ship designated by the ships supervisor. We started work in the morning with a lunch break and completed our work by 4:00pm. After that, we were on our own and "free" to explore anywhere on the ship that was not "restricted." My son and I spent hours exploring parts of the ship that was not ordinarily afforded to the general public and learned a lot. I remember, just standing on the windy carrier deck which was an awesome experience and could only envision what it mustve felt like during combat operations. My son and I had a great time bonding together and in the evening ate "chow" inside the ships mess hall where we spent the day cleaning. It was cramped and I could only imagine what the sailors mustve felt like when they had to eat here in shifts, because the room only held so many at one sitting. After supper we were treated, along with other visitors to stories of "Ghost Hauntings and Sightings" over the years and the place they bunked us (Infirmary) was where some of these sightings actually took place! OK, so at bedtime all lights go out and with the exception of a few "red lights in the hallway" to help you navigate throughout the ship, its completely dark! Of course I had to use the restroom in the "middle of the night" and ghost or no ghost, I was using the "can" and wouldve used any ghosts that I ran into as toilet paper if they prevented me from my appointment with Mother Nature!!!

Mandy Irvine

I have never gone here for a tour but attended both their Halloween and New Years Eve (NYE) parties. The Halloween party was really fun and people get really dressed up for the event. We had a great time just people watching and looking at all the creative outfits people had put together. On Halloween they had a cover band that mostly played 80s music but also sang newer songs like Kesha and Black Eyed Peas. The NYE party was vintage theme and a lot of people dressed up in their tuxedos and vintage dresses. There was a big band orchestra that went perfectly with the theme and a lot of people got up to dance. Another plus is you can watch the fireworks from the the deck of the boat so you can get that big end to NYE. Both parties had a different feel but were both really fun. It was nice not having to go all the way to the city and deal with the drama of it all. Id definitely go back for the Halloween party.

Jim Simpson

The USS Hornet was a mixed bag for me. The ship is in pretty poor condition, the docent (tour guide) led tours prohibit going at your own pace, and there are very few aircraft on board. The tour guide was VERY knowledgeable and was able to answer any question asked. However the group I was in was dominated by an overbearing Navy veteran that was constantly telling stories. I was there for 4 hours and only saw the main flight deck, hangar deck and bridge. At that point I gave up and left the group and museum out of frustration. There is a lot of history here, and if you get into a good group, I imagine your experience would be vastly different than mine. However if you want to see an aircraft carrier that allows self tours, plenty of planes and is in great condition, go see the USS Midway in San Diego.

Nate S

Ive done a few tours like this and Id have to say this was one of the best and way more than I expected. I was lucky enough to go in a Tuesday which our guide later told us is one of the best days to go. There are many docents that can take you to places on the ship that are otherwise not open. Our docent was exceptional and full of detailed knowledge and real to life stories to totally engross us in this tour. With the right guide you can easily spend 4-5 hrs on the ship and thats not just reading posters but experiencing the ship. I highly recommend visiting this outstanding museum. You will get more than you bargained for and can spend as much or as little time as you want and find this worth. $20 is well worth supporting this floating museum.

Alejandro Dominguez

After seeing the USS Hornet on Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, I was fortunate to perform a paranormal investigation there with Alameda Paranormal, the official group of the Hornet. They hold monthly ghost tours that help fund raise for the USS Hornets upkeep. This amazing museum gives you insight to the most decorated naval ship from World War Two (its this track record along with its record suicide rate that gives it "The Most Haunted Ship in the Navy" reputation). I love spending time in the galley, the medical bay, and the engine room. The staff was real accommodating and stayed with us till almost 1 AM. In February 2013 they will host a big paranormal conference fundraiser that is a most for any paranormal fan in Northern California.