The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul is home. The decommissioned nuclear-powered fast attack submarine’s towering sail and rudder have been transported to the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum in Little Falls from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
The disassembled pieces arrived at Camp Ripley, Minnesota on Monday, Aug. 29, and the artifact will be a distinctive feature at the new 32-acre Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum & Library, expected to open in Spring 2025. The “sail” of a submarine is the tower-like portion that protrudes from the hull at the center of the boat, and the rudder is at the rear of the vessel.
“While there is a great deal of restoration to make sure these pieces are ready for display, the addition of the sail and rudder of the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul to the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum is an important step in continuing to build a world-class museum,” said Randal Dietrich, Executive Director of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum. “Minnesota is mobilizing to honor the Veterans of all branches of service.”
The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul was a nuclear-powered Los Angeles Class submarine in service between 1984 and 2008. It was the first vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Known with the hull classification of SSN-708, the submarine served with distinction in Operation Desert Shield and the First Gulf War. It was the first submarine to carry Tomahawk missiles specifically designated for use in strikes against Iraq.
“Preserving this vital Naval artifact is important to the men who served on her, but also to the history of Minnesota,” said Bill James, United States Navy League Minnesota Council President. “The USS Minneapolis Saint Paul admirably served from 1984-2008 and took part in Operation Desert Shield and the Gulf War. The Navy League and submarine Veterans continue to mourn the deaths of two SSN-708 Sailors who died in rough seas on the coast of southwestern England in 2006. Along with the Minnesota Submarine League we look forward to the restoration of the sail and rudder and placement at the new Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum.”
Transported by St. Cloud, Minn. based Anderson Trucking Service, and expertly unloaded by Camp Ripley logisticians, the pieces will receive extensive renovation over the next two years. “This project is a great opportunity to show our support for Veterans and military personnel,” said Scott Anderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer of Anderson Trucking Service. “We are honored to assist with this amazing addition to the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum and can’t wait to see it come to fruition. Many of our drivers and employees are Veterans, and this is one way that we can honor their service and show how grateful we are.”
In a letter to Navy Program Manager Curtis A. Brown, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said “The sail and rudder will be a fantastic addition to the museum and serve as a reminder to generations of Minnesotans of the service and sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Navy to preserve our freedom.”
