On Tuesday, August 14, vandals climbed aboard the USS Ling, a 312-foot long World War II-era submarine which forms part of the New Jersey Naval Museum in Hackensack, NJ, and allegedly opened hatches, causing the interior of the sub to flood with water. NBC Philadelphia reports that this comes just days after four bronze plaques were stolen from the USS Ling and Naval Museum. The plaques were a memorial to Naval Seamen lost during World War II and valued at more than $10,000.
NorthJersey.com reports that the damage is extensive. The inside of the submarine is "inundated with as much as 10 feet of water and may not be salvageable and artifacts aboard the sub are probably destroyed." NorthJersey.com adds that there are some environmental concerns, such as oils in the boat, which prevent the water from being immediately pumped out.
This is a developing story and police are still searching for the vandals. Stay tuned for updates.