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Wisconsin Maritime Museum
1 review for Wisconsin Maritime Museum
I made an unplanned detour to this museum based on a highway sign that I saw on my way home to Chicago from a weekend trip to Green Bay and Door County. I expected something rinky-dink, but was very pleasantly surprised. Apparently the museum had been recently renovated and expanded. Everything was new-looking and skillfully curated. I learned quite a bit about Lake Michigan exploring, trading, fishing, shipbuilding, and all sorts of other topics. One of my favorite rooms featured dozens of ship models from various eras. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the museum.
However, photography WAS allowed outside and aboard the U.S.S. Cobia, a WWII-era submarine. The Cobia is the most functional WWII sub in existence; 85% of her machinery and controls still work. The Cobia was manufactured nearby at the Manitowoc Shipping Company, which was one of three shipyards awarded contracts to build subs for the U.S. war effort. They built 28 submarines from 1941-44. The Cobia ran six successful war patrols from 1944-45, sinking twelve enemy vessels and rescuing seven downed Allied pilots. She suffered only one crew fatality during all six missions. Her most prominent kill was a Japanese tank carrier bound for Iwo Jima; all 28 tanks went to the bottom, severely limiting the Japanese ground-defense capabilities on the island.
The sub is pretty small; I have been on later-era subs, and they sure have gotten bigger. Both interior and exterior are very well preserved. It was neat to see the galley and crew's mess area, sleeping quarters, officers' quarters, torpedo room, control room, engine room, deck guns, etc. The Cobia was decommissioned after the Korean War and served as a training vessel until the 1970's.
Either the museum or the Cobia would be worth a short detour if you have some time to kill. Together, they make for a fun and interesting afternoon.