Decommissioned destroyer a portal to PNW Navy history

Jessica Hall/Northwest Guardian

Trade in your seat in a Stryker for a rack on a naval vessel in nearby Bremerton, a quaint waterfront town across the Puget Sound from Seattle. Only a 45-minute drive from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Bremerton is an ideal town for a daytrip to learn about the life of Sailors and the Navy’s history in the Pacific Northwest.

A U.S. Navy destroyer turned museum after its decommissioning in 1982, the USS Turner Joy is docked next to Bremerton’s marina. Equipped with 54-caliber single-barreled guns and Mark 44 torpedoes, the destroyer sank enemy vessels during the Gulf of Tonkin incident and spent most of its years patrolling the coast of Vietnam before being decommissioned in 1982.

Visitors go on a self-guided tour of the huge ship to see enlisted and officers’ quarters, gun mounts, the bridge, surveillance and crew’s mess. Volunteers are on board to answer any questions and are a wealth of information as many served on the Turner Joy during their Naval careers. The tour is free for active-duty service members. See information at http://www.ussturnerjoy.org.

The Puget Sound Navy Museum showcases photos, memorabilia and other artifacts about the Navy’s history in the Pacific Northwest, specifically the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard located in Bremerton. Permanent exhibits include the importance of special operations submarines, a look into the life onboard an aircraft carrier and the establishment of the naval shipyard in Bremerton. Recent temporary exhibits include the life of female shipyard workers and how ships are repaired in the shipyard. The museum is free to all and open every day except Tuesday. Visit the last Saturday of the month for science and art activities for kids. Visit http://www.pugetsoundnavymuseum.org.

For Pacific Northwest history buffs, head to the Kitsap Historical Society & Museum to learn all about Bremerton and the surrounding Kitsap County. The museum features exhibits about Native Americans, loggers and shipbuilders, as well as a replica of historic Main Street in Bremerton and a hands-on gallery for kids with a working switchboard, typewriter and period clothing. The museum is free to active-duty military and their families through Memorial Day and open Tuesday to Saturday through April. It is open on Sundays during the summer. See information at http://www.kitsaphistory.org.

Downtown Bremerton streets are lined with art galleries, shops and restaurants. The Arts District hosts the First Friday Art Walk every month from 5 to 8 p.m. Centered around 4th and Pacific streets in Bremerton, there are two performing arts stages featuring live music, jazz clubs and restaurants. Gallery art is incredibly diverse and features many local artists.

With food options aplenty, there are many restaurants to choose from for a bite to eat while in Bremerton. Located in the new Harborside development, Anthony’s serves fresh fish as well as burgers and steaks, but prepare to pay a little more for the cuisine. For classic American sandwiches, burgers and entrees, check out Bremerton Bar & Grill on Pacific Avenue. For international fare, Toro Lounge serves tapas and personal pizzas alongside an extensive beer and wine list. Other restaurants include Taco del Mar, Fritz European Fry House and Cold Stone.

For more information visit http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us.

Getting There:

From JBLM take I-5 North; take exit 132 to WA-16 West toward Gig Harbor. Exit WA-3 northbound to WA-304 East/South and take it to Bremerton.