Happy Birthday Cobia!
 

MANITOWOC, Wis. (WLUK) -- A grand bash for a Lakeshore favorite is in the works.

The submarine U.S.S. Cobia turns 80 this year, and those at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum are getting ready to celebrate.

"Cobia was built in Groton, Connecticut. She's 311 feet, nine inches long, and 28 feet wide," said Karen Duvalle, Wisconsin Maritime Museum Submarine Curator.

Duvalle says the keel on The U.S.S. Cobia was laid on March 17, 1943.
"So, it's a St. Patrick's Day boat. We always kind of celebrate that together. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the keel-laying. So, we always have some fun with it -- call it a birthday party. And we have cake and cupcakes for people that attend," she said.

Duvalle says Cobia has a rich naval history, dating back to World War II.
"The boat served six patrols in the Pacific, sinking 13 ships. And they also rescued seven downed airmen," she said.

Duvalle says about 80 crew members were on board.
"The captain was the old man. He was mid to early 30s. Most of the crew were 19 and 20 year olds," she said.

A look below deck seems to put life on a submarine in perspective.
"How small it is, how cramped the quarters, their tiny bunks that they had. They couldn't bring a lot of stuff with them. Ninety-degree temperatures. No sunlight for two months," said Duvalle.

Duvalle says the boat was brought to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum site in 1970 and has been a popular Manitowoc attraction ever since.
"Cobia is one of the best-preserved submarines or museum ships in the country. Very few modifications were done to the sub. So, it still has that World War II look. It's always been in good hands here, which is why we want to continue that tradition and dry dock," she said.

Duvalle says the museum is raising about $1.5 million to temporarily move Cobia to the shipyard in Sturgeon Bay for some work.

"It's been since '96 that we pulled the boat out of the water, inspected it, cleaned, painted it. So, just general routine maintenance to be good stewards of the boat," she said.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cobia

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Lady is looking pretty good for 80 :up:

Happy birthday, U.S.S Cobia.

The Cobia has had a distinguished history.

Quote: In June 1944, it began the first of six war patrols in which she sank thirteen Japanese vessels. By July 1944, Cobia had established itself in the annals of World War II sub history by attacking an enemy convoy bound for Japanese-held Iwo Jima. Cobia sank two vessels, including a troop transport carrying a Japanese tank battalion of twenty-eight tanks. U.S. Marines considered this sinking critical to their success in capturing Iwo six months later.

https://www.wisconsinmaritime.org/submarines/uss-cobia/
The Cobia is another distinguished veteran of WW2. :Kaleun_Salute:
May Cobia continue to live a long life as well as all who served on her. May God continue to bless them. :Kaleun_Salute:

Happy birthday to a distinguished veteran of WW2 :Kaleun_Salute:

Was just there yesterday, she’s in beautiful shape! And I was glad to hear about the 2025 planned drydock. I try to take the kids up there every year.

That's a great museum!:Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

SF? Ja, but you have the poop minefield to navigate to get there.:Kaleun_Binocular::ahoy:
https://external-content.duckduckgo....598&ipo=images

Poop mines be damned! Full speed ahead!