HogHammer Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 During World War II, the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, located on the shore of Lake Michigan, built 28 submarines for the United States Navy. More than 7,000 men and women worked around the clock, 365 days a year, to build some of the best submarines in the Navy. USS Cobia was not built in Manitowoc, but for nearly 50 years, she’s been a fitting memorial to the men and women who built Manitowoc’s Freshwater Submarines and the brave men who served on those boats. The "Manitowoc 28" submarines have become known as "Freshwater Submarines" since they were the only freshwater port to build subs. Of the 28 submarines built here, 25 were built in time to see action during the war. Together, they sank 132 Japanese ships. Four Manitowoc submarines were lost at sea: USS Robalo, USS Golet, USS Kete, and USS Lagarto. The four boats and their brave crews are now on Eternal Patrol. USS Cobia was designated a National Historic Landmark for her World War II service, including service in the Pacific, where she earned four battle stars. She is now a museum ship at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Ongoing restoration, maintenance, and preservation efforts keep Cobia in remarkably good condition, with many systems operational, including two of the main diesel engines, the radio shack, and the SJ-1 radar, which is believed to be the oldest operating radar set in the world. Ironically, of the 28 submarines built in Manitowoc during WWII, the USS Cobia was actually built on 17 March 1943 by the Electric Boat Company at Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 28 November 1943, sponsored by Mrs. C. W. Magruder, and commissioned on 29 March 1944, Lieutenant Commander Albert L. Becker in command. Wisconsin Maritime Museum Website Facebook Instagram 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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