submarine tour manitowoc wi

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Welcome To The Museum

Spend a night in the USS Cobia.

Rock The Boat!

Really, We Don’t Mind.

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Groups are Welcome.

Admissions, Hours & Location Info

Museum exhibits, children's waterways room.

Step into the engine room of a Great Lakes ship in the early 1900s and see a 65-ton steam engine come to life under your control.

Chief Wawatam Steam Engine

Uss cobia below the surface.

Learn what life was like aboard Cobia during WWII, from the everyday mundane tasks to the times of sheer terror.

Little Lakefarers Room

Presented by Aurora Healthcare, this hands on environment is a special place for young children to explore life on and near the water.

Temporary Exhibit: Wisconsin's Underwater Treasures

Learn about shipwrecks of Lake Michigan with interactive kiosks and a selection of artifacts.

Wisconsin-Built Boat Gallery

Presented by the Manitowoc Company, experience a close-up view of boats showcasing craftsmanship dating back 150 years.

Maritime History Gallery

Travel back to the 1840s and learn how shipbuilding and shipping became one of the first industries in Wisconsin.

Model Ship Gallery

Explore models that tell the stories of the Great Lakes sailing ships.

Drop Anchor

There is More to See!

Groups & Tours

Our calendar, museum accessibility, what our guests have to say.

A top tier Smithsonian affiliated maritime museum. Flagship exhibit is the USS Cobia, the most fully and accurately restored World War II submarine in the world. Guided tours are excellent. If you can get a behind the scenes tour (nooks and crannies), do so. Totally worth the price of admission. Very nice museum store, which can be accessed without a fee. Highly recommend.

What Our Guests Have to Say

Had a great time visiting with family and friends. The USS Cobia tour was fantastic! Loved hearing stories from people who actually served on subs. Very educational, my kids loved it! I recommend visiting!

We took our 8yr old grandson on this tour! He absolutely love it! The submarine was the highlight of his visit. He also really enjoyed the interactive water ways display inside. He played with the boats and plumbing pieces for almost an hour. Very cool! Him and his dad plan on doing the summer over nighter!

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• Visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin

USS Cobia Submarine Tours

Other exhibits & displays, hours & admission, maritime museums around the great lakes, discover more of manitowoc, wisconsin....

• Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo During Your Stay in Manitowoc
• Discover Beautiful Scenery at West of the Lake Gardens in Manitowoc
• Manitowoc Breakwater Light
• Festivals & Events in Manitowoc/Two Rivers Wisconsin
• Visit Manitowoc Wisconsin, Home of the Lake Michigan Carferry
• Helpful Hints when Arriving in Manitowoc, Wisconsin by Carferry
• Manitowoc & Central Lake Michigan Water Temperatures
• Enjoy the Mariners Trail Paved Bike/Foot Path Between Manitowoc and Two Rivers in Wisconsin
• Manitowoc Wisconsin Travel Information

Copyright © 2024 The content on this page is the property of Advantage Marketing & Publications, Inc. , publisher of this website and other websites in the Midwest Travel Guides network. Website content may not be reproduced without our written permission.

Print Calendar

• Wisconsin Maritime Museum

USS Cobia Nook & Cranny Tour

Have you ever wanted to see or know more about USS Cobia than what is offered on the regular tour? Get a behind-the-scenes tour of our World War II submarine […]

Think & Drink: We Do This for the Water

Please join the Wisconsin Maritime Museum on May 2, 2024 at 6:30pm for our Think & Drink series presentation "We Do This for the Water" with Siobhan Marks/Zeegwan Noodenese. The featured drink of the night will be Cedar Tea. Josephine Mandamin was an Anishinaabe elder and Water rights activist who walked around the Great Lakes, […]

USS LARGATO Rememberance Ceremony

Our annual USS LAGARTO Remembrance Ceremony honors the crew of the Manitowoc-built submarine that was lost on May 3, 1945. This event is free to the public and can be viewed from the Riverwalk outside of the Museum. For more information on upcoming Museum events, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/3ZXAZYm

USS Cobia Diving Deeper Tour

Join Submarine Veteran Greg Miller on an in-depth tour aboard the USS COBIA. Learn what it was really like living and working on a submarine with 80 men for two months. This two-hour tour focuses more on personal stories and less on technology. The cost is $35 for non-members and $30 for Museum members. Space […]

Public Exhibit Opening – Wisconsin’s Shipwreck Coasts

Join us for the opening day of our newest exhibit: Wisconsin's Shipwreck Coasts! Wisconsin is a maritime state. Over the past 300 years, people from across Europe and beyond navigated to Wisconsin in search of a better life. Many risked their lives by sailing aboard ships through the Great Lakes during a time when shipwrecks […]

Midwestern Model Ships & Boats Contest

Check out the Midwest’s longest-running model contest and vote on your favorites! The models will be on display to the public on Saturday and Sunday. Friday is model set-up. See our website for details on registration, a schedule of events, and more information: https://bit.ly/3wGLUJC mariti Friday, May 17th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Models accepted. 10 […]

Check out the Midwest’s longest-running model contest and vote on your favorites! The models will be on display to the public on Saturday and Sunday. Friday is model set-up. See our website for details on registration, a schedule of events, and more information: https://bit.ly/3wGLUJC Friday, May 17th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Models accepted. 10 a.m. […]

Have you ever wanted to see or know more about USS Cobia than what is offered on the regular tour? Get a behind-the-scenes tour of our World War II submarine and explore spaces not usually open to the general public! The cost is $45 for non-members and $40 for WMM members. Space is limited, so […]

Museum Ships Amateur Radio Weekend

The USS COBIA Amateur Radio Club (call sign NB9QV) will be set up in the Crew’s Mess aboard USS COBIA all weekend long, June 1-2, 2024, reaching out to other museum ships and amateur radio fans around the world. Stop by to ask questions and learn about the world of ham radio! For more information […]

Think & Drink – The Music of Victory at Sea

Please join the Wisconsin Maritime Museum on June 6th at 6:30pm for our Think & Drink series presentation "The Music of Victory at Sea" with Professor George Ferencz. The featured drink of the night will be Suffering Bastard. In 1952-53, NBC brought WWII right into American living rooms as network television found its way into […]

Fog Horn Demonstrations at Wisconsin Maritime Museun

The sonic boom of a fog horn can pierce through the thickest fog to warn ships of upcoming hazards. From 11:00am-3:00pm on Saturday June 15, 2024, join the Wisconsin Maritime Museum as Historian Jake Heffernan tells the story of the evolution of the fog horn! Learn about how sirens and diaphones generate sound by chopping […]

SubFest, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s annual celebration of all things submarine, will be July 4-7, 2024 right here in Manitowoc, Wisconsin! Join us in celebrating the history of the Silent Service, including our WWII era submarine, USS COBIA (SS 245), and Manitowoc’s 28 Freshwater WWII Submarines. This will include FREE ADMISSION for all active duty, retired, and veteran military members […]

August 2024

Think & drink at sub pub.

Drink Pairing: Dance the Night Away Punch Dancing during WWII was one of the few ways people could escape the pressure of life both on the warfront and at home. Learn about the popular dance styles from the 30s, 40s, and 50s.  

Plein Air Paint Out at Wisconsin Maritime Museum

August 3, 2024 In 2024 we will partner with the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and hold the plein air painting event with demonstrations and painting on the roof of the  Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Family Overnight Aboard USS Cobia at Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Families can spend the night aboard USS Cobia and learn how to dive the sub, fire the torpedoes, and aim the deck guns. If you want to stay up later, you can explore the nooks and crannies normally off-limits to the public. In the morning, check out Museum galleries and learn about Wisconsin’s maritime heritage! […]

Family Overnight Aboard the USS Cobia

Sensory friendly evening at the wisconsin maritime museum.

Museums are for everyone! Join us for a sensory-friendly evening designed for anyone looking for a more relaxed museum experience, no matter their age or ability level, and their families. At this free event sponsored by Festival Foods, you’ll have access to the Museum as well as an opportunity to take a sensory-friendly submarine tour. […]

September 2024

Think & drink: from the sea to the stars: the life and death of astronaut laurel clark.

Drink Pairing: Sea of Tranquility Fizz Astronaut Laurel Clark, from Racine, WI, was an accomplished doctor, U.S. Navy captain, and NASA astronaut who died aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 2003. Before she worked in space, Clark was the medical department head for a submarine squadron and preformed numerous dives to evacuate submarines in medical […]

October 2024

The history of female pirates.

Drink Pairing: Grog Despite pirates being a perennially popular topic, female swashbucklers are often overlooked. Yet there have been numerous female pirates who have terrorized the seven seas. Learn about these women who sought their freedom in the sea and found infamy.  Admission is free in person and online, and there is a limited cash […]

November 2024

Think & drink: ladies of the light: georgia stebbins and female lighthouse keepers.

Admission is free in person and online, and there is a limited cash bar that features a specialty cocktail and non-alcoholic alternative related to the theme of the talk. Doors and bar open at 6:00 pm. This year we are celebrating the women, both historical and modern, who shaped the maritime world with this year’s […]

December 2024

Think & drink: women on submarines.

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One Of The Last WWII Submarines Is Right Here In Wisconsin And It’s So Worth A Visit

Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests. 

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In its prime during World War II, this massive submarine patrolled the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean, sinking Japanese ships and rescuing sailors and aviators from the seas. The USS Cobia was part of the United States Navy and it was one of the incredible machines that helped decide the war. More than 75 years later, the Cobia has a permanent home in Manitowoc and it’s something you have to see.

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The sub is docked forever at the mouth of the Manitowoc River, and ongoing maintenance keeps the sub in great condition, even though it has been around for more than seven decades.

Tours of the USS Cobia take place daily and overnight stays are available. Learn more about the Wisconsin Maritime Museum here . When you’ve experienced the Cobia, there’s a lot more maritime history to be explored in Lake Michigan, including hundreds of mesmerizing sunken ships .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Spend a Night Aboard the USS Cobia Submarine in Manitowoc

There are unique AirBnB and VRBO rentals throughout the country, but Wisconsin’s coolest location is the USS Cobia.  The USS Cobia is a fully restored US Navy Gato World War II class submarine located at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum .  Manitowoc has a history with submarines, during WWII 28 Submarines were built in the town of Manitowoc.

With a stay on the Cobia, you can expect an immersive and unique experience. Their USS Cobia AirBnB listing states “Your stay will be as unique as the submarine, no two visits are exactly the same”. 

During our special behind-the-scenes private tour my son was encouraged to open up a torpedo door and slide into the torpedo bay which was a special experience. They allowed us to actually take the controls (don’t worry they are disconnected from the actual dive planes) and simulate a dive, hearing the warning sounds that would have been heard by a submerged crew.  This is not your typical stodgy museum exhibit where you are expected to eagle eye your kids to make sure they are not touching anything. Here it was actually encouraged.

Before we even entered the submarine there is the USS Cobia Below the Surface exhibit which transports you to WWII where you experience what it would have felt like to be submerged in a submarine while depth charges as an actual mission from the Cobia’s War Patrol Log is simulated. Our kids partook in this exhibit several times.

As part of your stay, you will enjoy a personalized behind-the-scenes tour of the submarine and your guide is on site all night should you need assistance. Overnight you are also free to explore all the museum has to offer including exhibits on WWII Submarine life, and shipwrecks. 

One non-submarine oriented exhibit our family enjoyed was the Chief Wawatam Steam Engine.  The exhibit is like entering the engine room of a Great Lakes ship from the early 1900s.  The engine is from the Chief Wawatam car-ferry which was built in 1911 and used to ferry vehicles across the Straights of Mackinac.  The working engine is a 65-ton steam engine that you can control.  Enjoy turning it from Full Ahead to Full Stop and watching how the engine works.

This is best suited for groups or a few families traveling together.  The latest pricing we saw was $714 / a night which for their recommended minimum guest count of 16 is just over $40 a night. Additional guests are $50 a night.  When we visited they really sold the experience with guests receiving their bedding and toiletries in a World War II esque bag. They can accommodate up to 65 guests.  As of this writing, the USS Cobia has a perfect five star rating on AirBnB .

We went out on a limb and named this the best AirBnB in Wisconsin.  Can you think of a better one?  We would love to hear if there are any contenders we should check out!

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Wisconsin Maritime Museum

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Wisconsin's coolest Airbnb is a submarine

MANITOWOC, Wis. — You can call it a hotel. You can call it an Airbnb. You can call it whatever you want as long as you include the phrase 'one of the most unique overnight experiences in Wisconsin.'

The USS Cobia , a decommissioned World War II submarine at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, is allowing people to do overnight stays on the historic vessel. It's basically one of the coolest Airbnb's in the state.

In total, the sub can sleep 65 people. That makes it great for large parties or overnight field trips. Believe it or not, the entire submarine has been rented out before. There are options to have private parties or do educational trips for students. Here is the AirBnB listing.

The ship actually fought in multiple battles during World War II. It was bombed, rammed, and shot at. There are still bullet dents in the body of the ship. During one instance, the submarine sunk to the bottom of the ocean floor off the coast of Thailand. For a moment, the crew thought it would be stuck down there. However, after trying to few manuervers, the submarine was able to get itself moving again and the crew made it out.

While this submarine wasn't built in Manitowoc (it was built in Connecticut) it's identical to the 28 that were built here during the war effort.

Included in the stay is a personalized tour of the submarine, all bedding and toiletries are provided, and a light breakfast. For private parties, it costs $500 for five people and then each additional person is $50. For educational overnight stays, it's $50 per person. During these overnight stays you will get to do various reenactments like diving and resurfacing simulations.

The USS Cobia was restored to resemble its 1945 appearance. While it is no longer active, it serves as a tribute to the men and women who built it and the sailors who went to war on it.

If you want to schedule an overnight stay, reach out to the museum by calling the phone number at (920) 374 4003 or visiting their website .

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Submarine in a lake? Exploring the USS Cobia and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum

An important piece of WWII Pacific fleet history, about as far from an ocean as you can get.

A lake, even one of the Great Lakes, isn't the first place you'd look for a submarine. So what's a WWII submarine doing in a tiny town on the shore of Lake Michigan? I decided to find out. 

The town of Manitowoc is roughly halfway up Wisconsin's coast. It has an almost seaside feel to it, with a marina, jetty and an overall vibe that's decidedly "coastal vacation town." It wasn't always that way. As the former home of Manitowoc Shipbuilding, not only were WWII landing craft built here, many of which were used in the invasion of Normandy, but also minesweepers, merchant craft, ferries and, surprisingly enough, submarines.

Twenty-eight Gato- and Balao-class submarines were born in Manitowoc during the war. It's the only place in the US to launch submarines sideways into the water. Though the USS Cobia, a Gato-class, was built in Connecticut, it was given to the city as an example of the Gato class. Today it's a museum so, you guessed it, I had a look around.

Touring the WWII-era USS Cobia submarine

The USS Cobia was launched in November, 1943 and soon made its way to the Pacific Ocean for its first of six war patrols. It was finely suited for its role. The Gato-class ships, named after a species of shark, were some of the largest of the era. While this made them less maneuverable and slower to dive than their Japanese adversaries, they made up for that in other ways. Twenty-four torpedoes sat ready to launch from 10 tubes (six fore and four aft). On deck were two anti-aircraft cannons and a big 3-inch, 50-caliber deck gun to attack targets too small for torpedoes.

Its size also allowed for some surprising luxuries for the crew, perhaps the most notable being air conditioning. With 70 men and four V16 diesels in a tight, enclosed space, heat inside was going to be an issue. While AC could make the environment more pleasant for the men, it was the machines and electronics that benefited most. Condensation could lead to electrical shorts, which could lead to power outages or worse, fires. Keeping the humidity relatively low was a huge boost for reliability as well as comfort.

After the war the Cobia was briefly decommissioned, before being recommissioned in the early 1950s to act as a training ship. In that role she served for another 20 years, eventually ending up at the Naval Reserve Center in Milwaukee before being decommissioned for the last time and towed to where she is now, at the mouth of the Manitowoc river. 

The Cobia is in fantastic shape for a submarine of its era, speaking to the care and effort being put into maintaining such a historic vessel. The tour, guided only, starts in the forward torpedo room, making its way past the officer's quarters, through the control room, and on through the galley, mess, crew's quarters, engine rooms, and finally at the aft torpedo room. Like most subs, stairs have been added and you enter and exit through holes cut in the hulls.

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Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Though the Cobia is the main attraction of the museum, inside are several smaller boats, along with engines, all of which have special significance to the area and its shipbuilding history. 

In the spring and summer the Wisconsin Maritime Museum is open every day, and Thursday through Sunday in the fall and winter. It's a lovely little museum, with a well-maintained WWII submarine. 

If you're not headed to Wisconsin any time soon, check out the gallery above for a look inside the museum and the USS Cobia.

As well as covering audio and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines , aircraft carriers , medieval castles , epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.

Also check out Budget Travel for Dummies , his travel book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube . 

• Last Updated On
• February 1, 2024

This Historic WWII Submarine In Wisconsin Is An Incredible Must-Visit, And It’s Packed With History

Ready for an out-of-the-ordinary excursion right here in Wisconsin?

Perfect for families and history enthusiasts, there’s a treasure trove of naval lore waiting to be discovered.

Let’s embark on an exciting exploration that combines the thrill of adventure with a hearty slice of American history!

Tucked into Manitowoc, a town renowned for its shipbuilding prowess, sits an extraordinary repository of maritime marvels unlike any other – the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.

This isn’t your everyday exhibit hall; it’s an immersive journey through time where stories of the sea come alive, captivating visitors young and old.

Manitowoc’s museum holds a collection that would make seafaring veterans tip their hats in respect.

With intricate models, interactive displays, and engaging narratives, every corner tells a tale of bravery and innovation on the high seas.

Submerging into the depths of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, you’ll be greeted by an unexpected yet fascinating sight – the USS Cobia.

This World War II submarine isn’t just taking a lazy river nap on the shores of Lake Michigan; it’s a full-blown celebrity with stories that could rival any season of your favorite TV drama.

Crafted over in Connecticut, this gallant vessel decided to retire in the charming town of Manitowoc, and let me tell you, she’s become quite the local rock star.

Now, if you’re anything like me and get more excitement out of a sandwich than the thought of claustrophobic spaces, fear not!

The Cobia is surprisingly spacious, at least by submarine standards.

It’s like walking into a time capsule, only this one is lined with torpedoes and packed with tales of underwater escapades.

You can almost hear the echoes of “Dive! Dive!” as you explore the control room or squeeze through the hatchways.

Visiting families are in for a treat because where else can you give the kids a hands-on history lesson while playing hide-and-seek around a periscope?

And who knows, with all the buttons and gadgets inside (don’t worry, they’re sailor-proof), you might just find yourself volunteering for the next family road trip.

Just remember: no matter how tempting, the torpedo launch button…probably shouldn’t be your souvenir!

Post-war life brought a new mission for the Cobia: education. Swapping torpedoes for textbooks, she became a naval training vessel, shaping the minds of future mariners and military tacticians alike

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Finding a final berth by Manitowoc’s shores, the USS Cobia now rests as a celebrated relic – not just another display but a living classroom, inspiring awe and reverence in those who walk her decks.

In 1986, the submarine was honored as a National Historic Landmark and proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The USS Cobia stands not simply as a testament to history but as an active participant in keeping the past present.

Step aboard the USS Cobia today, and you’re stepping into a well-preserved chapter of World War II history.

Tours offered daily invite guests to traverse the same corridors once filled with the hustle of submariners navigating perilous waters.

The experience within these steel walls caters to all ages, blending fun and education seamlessly.

Visitors leave not only entertained but enriched, carrying away memories etched against the backdrop of valor and victory at sea.

Well, what’s more intriguing than a night in Davy Jones’ locker?

Minus the whole shipwreck scenario, of course. Instead, think cozy bunks and the gentle lull of sea tales echoing off steel walls.

Staying overnight in a submarine is like having a sleepover with history and adventure as your bunkmates.

You’re snuggled up where sailors once snoozed, surrounded by dials and gauges that have navigated the briny deep.

And let’s be honest, who hasn’t wanted to push a big red button just to see what happens? (Not that you should; definitely don’t do that.)

It’s not every day you get to eat, sleep, and dream in such an extraordinary vessel.

This isn’t your typical hotel experience with fluffy robes and chocolate on pillows.

Nope, here it’s about portholes and periscopes!

And for the little ones or the eternally curious adults – because we all know one, it’s an unparalleled game of pretend.

You’re submariners on a secret mission, only your mission involves more snoring and less espionage.

Families can bond over the novelty, learning about life underwater without actually being submerged — unless Uncle Jerry’s snoring counts as a submergence risk.

But seriously, it’s an immersive way to understand a piece of nautical history and maybe even find out who’s prone to getting a bit “claustro-cabin-phobic.”

A visit to this museum offers more than just a glimpse into the past; it provides a tactile connection to the bravery and ingenuity that have shaped our nation’s legacy at sea.

So why not plan a trip through the Wisconsin Maritime Museum website to meet this venerable veteran of World War II?

Eagerly awaiting your arrival, the museum staff is ready to guide you through this deep dive into America’s maritime heritage.

Check out this map , and prepare to set sail on an unforgettable voyage through time.

Where: 75 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc, WI 54220

Now tell me, when will your own family anchor down for some submarine storytelling at this historic Wisconsin wonder?

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USS-Cobia, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

The USS Cobia is a National Historic Landmark held at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. This museum displays the historic submarine for all to see. It is open to the public to look at from anywhere on the river, streets, or sidewalk. The USS  Cobia (SS-245/AGSS-245), a Gato-class diesel-electric submarine, was first laid down on 17 March 1943 by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut, launched on 28 November 1943, and commissioned on 29 March 1944 with Lieutenant Commander Albert L. Becker in command. It was one of the most effective submarines of this type during the two decades that it was in use. It had six patrols during World War II and every patrol it went on it sunk many ships: troop transports, battleships, or supply ships. This ship was a very important vessel from the time it was launched until 1959 when the U.S. Navy considered it obsolete and transferred her to the Milwaukee Naval Reserve Center where she served as a training platform for eleven years. On 1 July 1970, it was struck from the Naval Register and towed to Manitowoc, Wisconsin where she serves as an international memorial to all submariners.

Submarines In World War II

During World War II, submarine forces played a very important role for the United States and cannot be looked past. “American submarines sank over 600,000 tons of enemy warships and more than 5,000,000 tons of merchant shipping, thus destroying much of Japan’s ocean commerce.” (NPS) Submarines equaled less than 2 percent of the U.S. Navy but sank more than 30 percent of the Japanese Navy, which included eight of their aircraft carriers. American submarines created a blockade against Japan which stopped transportation of oil, iron, food, and other materials they needed to continue the fight. By 1945 submarine warfare made it practically impossible for Japan to sail the ocean. They were unable to continue the war on outside of its homeland. However, these victories at sea did not come at a small price: 52 boats and 3,500 men were lost during this war.

World War II submarines were only capable of being under water for so long that they were basically surface ships. The diesel engines allowed them to have high surface speed with a long range but, when underwater, it was slowed heavily. The electric motors inside them were powered by batteries that had a short operating time. When the batteries quit and needed to be recharged, the submarine would have to resurface to run the diesel engines and charge them. This was a minor problem because they could only go so far underwater before having to resurface which made them viable to surface attacks from enemy ships.

The USS  Cobia (SS-245/AGSS-245) was part of one of the largest classes of submarines of the time with a length of 311 ft 9 in, a beam of 27 ft 3 in, and a draft length of 17 ft. It was powered by four General Motors V16 diesel engines driving electric generators. It had two 126-cell Sargo batteries and two propellers. When the submarine surfaced, it would travel at 21 knots and 9 knots when submerged (hnsa.org). The range of this vessel depended on the speed, but when it was set to 10 knots the Cobia could   travel 11,000 nautical miles making it one of the best of its class. She could dive to about 300 feet.

The crew of this vessel was ten officers and seventy enlisted members which was better than most other submarines at the time. It was very beneficial to how the submarine was able to run. More crew members meant more hands ready to navigate, scout, or attack. The  Cobia contained ten, 21- inch torpedo tubes; six in the front and four in the rear. The submarine could carry twenty-four torpedoes. On the deck, it had a 50 caliber gun along with a Bofors 40 mm and Oerlikon 20 mm cannon (NPS). Whether it was on the surface or underwater, this submarine was very deadly.

USS Cobia In WWII

The USS Cobia represented the U.S. submarine forces that fought against the Japanese in WWII for multiple reasons. The first reason was that the USS Cobia had 6 war patrols during its time and earned 4 battle stars. It sank 13 Japanese ships which was over 18,000 tons of their shipping. The second reason was the it represented the Gato-class of submarines that were constructed at the Manitowoc shipyards (even though this vessel was constructed at a different location). Gato-class submarines were one of the great industrial achievements of the Second World War. Twenty-five of these submarines built in Manitowoc saw battle and sank 132 ships with over 488,000 tons destroyed. All of these submarines suffered some damage but most of them have survived. The USS Cobia is one of the survivors that still remains in excellent condition. On August 23, 1970, the USS Cobia was dedicated as an International Memorial to submariners throughout the world. The United States, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom all participated in this memorial.

USS Cobia Restoration

The USS Cobia is a major exhibit for the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, so since 1970, it undergoes routine maintenance as long as the personnel and financial resources are available. It requires many man-hours to maintain and restore this vessel. Russell Booth, a recognized authority on historic submarine restoration, inspected the USS Cobia in 1990. Booth had a big plan for the long-term preservation and rehabilitation of the Cobia . The first step of this plan was completed in 1996 with the dry-docking in Sturgeon Bay. In this part of the plan, the hull was restored which allowed the Museum to focus on restoring the interior of the vessel later on. After the dry dock was completed, the staff and many volunteers focused on interior projects that would return it to how it would have been during its peak of World War II. The Wisconsin DOT awarded the museum a grant in 1998 from the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program (STEP). This grant helped with the interior restoration including the installation of bunks, metal trim, crew lockers, and flooring, all from World War II.

The best way to preserve machinery is by restoring it and operating it. That’s exactly what the volunteers did. They spent many years of researching the engines and electrical equipment, cleaned and repaired it, and some of the submarine’s systems have become active again. Two of the specific projects that they worked on were the installation of a DC power drive on the submarine and the rebuilding of two engines. Another thing that has been restored is the  Cobia’s  SJ-1 radar, which is, quite possibly, the oldest operational radar in the world. The volunteers that work on the USS  Cobia  continue to maintain the radios, periscopes, engines 1 and 2, whistle, and more.

USS Cobia Tours

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum allows people to go inside it and take a tour of this amazing vessel as well as being able to spend a night aboard the USS Cobia . The museum hosts three different types of tours throughout certain days of the week. The first tour is the “Life at Sea” tour where you get to spend about an hour during July or August on the ship learning about the crew, living conditions, food and downtime, battle stories, accidents on board the vessel, and prisoners of war. This tour is for anyone who wants to hear of about stories and less about the technological aspects of submarines. The second tour is the “Cobia After Hours” tour for adults over 21 only. It takes place on certain Thursdays of the month and is limited to a certain amount of people. This tour focuses on detailed events, the loss of Ralph Huston Jr., and comical moments on the  Cobia.  When the tour is over, the participants enjoy a free “Torpedo Juice cocktail” and also may purchase other drinks as well.

The third tour is called the “Nook & Cranny” tour where you get a behind-the-scene look at the submarine. They last approximately two to three hours where guests will get a chance to see areas of the submarine not seen by the regular tours. A bottle of non-alcoholic “Torpedo Juice” is included for a mid-tour break in the Crew’s Mess. Lastly, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum offers an opportunity to get a taste of submarine life from first hand experience. Boy scouts have the opportunity to earn their “American Heritage Merit Badge” and girl scouts can earn their “Local Lore Badge.” The participants of the overnight program will receive a guided tour and undertake educational activities along with viewing some non-public areas of the submarine.

Primary Sources

•  Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc, WI 54220
•  Wisconsin Maritime Museum tour guide, 10/16/2016
• “Wisconsin Maritime Website.” Cobia Restoration | Wisconsin Maritime Website . Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 2011

Secondary Sources

• United States. National Park Service. “ National Park Service: World War II Warships in the Pacific. ” National Parks Service . U.S. Department of the Interior, Aug 25, 2000
• “Submarine in World War II.” Submarine in World War II . The National Museum of American History, 2000.
• “Wisconsin Maritime Website.” USS COBIA . Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 2011
• “JV Vandruff Autobiography Excerpt: WW2 South Pacific Air Battle and Submarine Rescue.” Jean Valjean Vandruff Autobiography Excerpt .  N.p., n.d.
• “USS COBIA (SS-245).” Historic Naval Ships Association . Superadmin, May 12, 2014

For Further Reading

• “USS Cobia.” Wikipedia . Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Sept 2010
• “NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive.” Submarine Photo Index .  Michael Mohl, 1996

Published in Naval