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Hackensack in Bergen County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Polaris A-1 Missle

 
 
Polaris A-1 Missle Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2013
1. Polaris A-1 Missle Marker
Inscription.
Prime Contractor: Lockheed Missiles and Space Company
Type: Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM)
Diameter: 4’ – 6”
Length: 28’
Weight: 28,000 lbs
Wing or Fin Span: None
Power Plant: Solid Propellant
Speed: Hypersonic
Range: 1,380 miles
Guidance: Inertial, Celestial
Armament: Nuclear

The Navy ordered five existing submarines to be modified to carry the Polaris Missile. The first of the modified subs was called SSBM 598 George Washington, (originally the SSN 598 Scorpion). All five of the renovated subs became known as George Washington Class.

During a Polaris launch, the missile was ejected vertically through a hatch on the deck of the sub. The Polaris A-1 was officially retired from service in October 1965 when the last George Washington class sub, the Abraham Lincoln, returned to port.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1965.
 
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 52.835′ N, 74° 2.4′ W. Marker was in Hackensack, New Jersey, in Bergen County. It could be reached from the intersection of River Street and Bridge Street,
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on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the New Jersey Naval Museum on the Hackensack River. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 78 River Street, Hackensack NJ 07601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in New Jersey’s North Jersey, in Greater Newark, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: USS Gudgeon (SS-211) (within shouting distance of this marker); Submariners Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Still on Patrol (within shouting distance of this marker); Bofor 40 MM Auto Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.S. Ling (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Richard Varick (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Reformed Church
Polaris A-1 Missle Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2013
2. Polaris A-1 Missle Marker
(approx. 0.2 miles away); Archibald Campbell Family Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hackensack.
 
Other markers no longer nearby. Lark Anti-aircraft Missile (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Regulus I SSM-N-8 (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Terrier SAM-N-7 (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Seehund (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Kaiten Type II (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Underwater MK16 Mine (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Talos SAM-N-6 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); PBR Mark II River Patrol Boat (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
 
Regarding Polaris A-1 Missle. The USS Ling Museum has been closed due to Hurricane Sandy damage. Virtually every marker has been removed and any remaining displays, including USS Ling, are in derelict condition.
 
Also see . . .  New Jersey Naval Museum.
Polaris A-1 Missle image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2013
3. Polaris A-1 Missle
(Submitted on April 16, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
 
Polaris A-1 Missle at the New Jersey Naval Museum image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 16, 2013
4. Polaris A-1 Missle at the New Jersey Naval Museum
The Polaris A-1 Missile is seen here on the left.
The abandoned U.S.S. Ling Museum site image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 11, 2017
5. The abandoned U.S.S. Ling Museum site
The USS Ling Museum has been closed due to Hurricane Sandy damage. Virtually every marker has been removed and any remaining displays, including USS Ling, are in derelict condition.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 709 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on September 18, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 16, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.   5. submitted on September 20, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 13, 2026