World War II submarine at a Manitowoc
museum is heading to Door County for work this fall
MANITOWOC – A historic, decorated World War II submarine credited with sinking more than a dozen enemy ships and today serving as the feature attraction at a Manitowoc museum is heading to Door County this fall for repairs and maintenance, and it’s likely people will be able to view it as it passes by in Lake Michigan.
Meanwhile, the museum is continuing fundraising efforts for the $1.5 million to pay for the work.
The World War II submarine USS Cobia will temporarily move from its home at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay this fall for maintenance and repairs, marking the first time since 1996 the 81-year-old vessel will be in drydock
The USS Cobia, docked outside the Wisconsin Maritime Museum where the Manitowoc River meets Lake Michigan, will be brought to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay and go into drydock for what is expected to be at least six weeks of work to help preserve it and make sure it remains afloat.
It’s the first time the 310-foot-long Gato-class sub, launched in November of 1943 and first pressed into service in 1944, will be in drydock in almost 30 years, when it also went to Bay Shipbuilding in 1996 for a project that mainly restored its interior to its 1945 configuration, the last year of WWII.
The entire sub is restored to 1945 specs, including recent efforts to install a DC power drive, rebuild main engines 1 and 2, restore its SJ-1 radar, thought to be the oldest operational radar in the world, and bring back its radio shack. Wisconsin Maritime Museum executive director Kevin Cullen said the Cobia is about 90% complete, its propellers are among the missing items because those were removed when the sub was decommissioned.
Obituary: Maritime Historian Dr. Timothy J. Ruyan
On Wednesday, January 8th, Dr. Timothy J. Runyan died unexpectedly in his hometown of Greenville, North Carolina.
He has been a long-time trustee and stalwart supporter of the National Maritime Historical Society, as well as a past director of the East Carolina University (ECU) Program in Maritime Studies, a leading graduate program that has produced many leaders in the fields of maritime archaeology, maritime history, and historic ship preservation. Before his tenure in North Carolina, he served as a professor of history at Cleveland State University (CSU) for almost 30 years and in retirement was professor emeritus at both ECU and CSU.
His work in the maritime heritage field reached far beyond the classroom. Along the way, he served as co-founder of the Association of Great Lakes Maritime History, was the driving force behind the National Maritime Alliance and the Maritime Heritage Conference, led the effort to preserve the 618-foot Great Lakes steam freighter WILLIAM G MATHER as a museum ship on the Cleveland waterfront, and served as the manager of NOAA’s Maritime Heritage Program—among many other roles.
He was a tireless advocate for maritime heritage and preservation, as many members of Congress and their staffers can attest. His walking the halls of the Capitol, rallying support for the cause from anyone who would listen, was a common sight to many.
With all of his accomplishments in his decades as a leader in the field, his most defining characteristic was his unwavering support of his students. He saw every room he walked into as a chance to connect students with opportunities. He has been a mentor—more than that, an absolute central figure—in many of his students’ and colleagues’ lives.
National Maritime Historical Society
