Manitowoc Submarines
[Marker Front]:
During World War II the Wisconsin-based Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company constructed twenty-eight Gato Class fleet submarines. These boats, dubbed “Freshwater Submarines”, bolstered the production of existing naval shipyards. The completed submarines made their way from Lake Michigan down the Illinois River, each passing this very spot. Since river channels were merely seven feet in some places, the boats were transported in a special floating dry dock, with masts removed to clear bridges. Upon reaching New Orleans, the Manitowoc Submarines were commissioned into the Silent Service.
[Marker Reverse]:
USS Peto SS 265 • USS Hardhead SS 365 •
USS Pogy SS 266 • USS Hawkbill SS 366 •
USS Pompon SS 267 • USS Icefish SS 367 •
USS Puffer SS 268 • USS Jallao SS 368 •
USS Rasher SS 269 • USS Kete SS 369 •
USS Raton SS 270 • USS Kraken SS 370 •
USS Ray SS 271 • USS Lagarto SS 371 •
USS Redfin SS 272 • USS Lamprey SS 372 •
USS Robalo SS 273 • USS Lizzardfish SS 373 •
USS Rock SS 274 • USS Loggerhead SS 374 •
USS Golet SS 361 • USS Macabi SS 375 •
USS Guavina SS 362 • USS Mapiro SS 376 •
USS Guitarro SS 363 • USS Menhaden SS 377 •
USS Hammerhead SS 364 • USS Mero SS 378
Four Manitowoc Submarines: “Golet”, “Kete”, “Lagarto”, and “Robalo” along with 336 officers and enlisted men were lost during the war.
Marker is on SW Water Street near Harrison Street, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
