The Graystone Society of Coatesville announces the acquisition of a sonarsphere, the first product to return to what was formerly known as Lukens Steel. It is slated for inclusion in the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum in Coatesville.

The sonarsphere, which was originally manufactured at Lukens Steel in 1984 and designed for use on nuclear submarines.

Government Liquidation of Scottsdale, Arizona donated the sonarsphere to the Graystone Society for the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum. Government Liquidation is the leading global seller of U.S. military assets in over 500 different commodity categories.  

A sonarsphere is a mammoth, dimpled steel ball, 15'x15'x 21' in diameter, weighing 27 tons. It contains 1245 hydrophones which make up part of the advanced sonar suite. The sonarsphere is usually positioned as far away from the ship's regular noise as possible, ending up in the bow of an attack submarine.

Sonarspheres were delivered to the Navy via a special truck carrier called a “Low-Boy.” A similar “Low-Boy” brought this sphere from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine to Coatesville via a complex path through seven states (avoiding certain bridges, tunnels and overpasses).

Wm. F. Gaebel Trucking Company handled the transport. Transport fees have been generously donated by The Huston Foundation and other donors.

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