Chicago Submarine Memorial

Chicago Submarine Memorial. . This historical memorial is a representation of a world war two era submarine watertight bulkhead. Its design, construction, and placement here is a result from a challenge by a group of world war two Submarine combat veterans to "not forget Pearl Harbor." The west side of the bulkhead is engraved at the top and bottom with the Submariners' 'Dolphins' Insignia. They signify that the wearer has "Qualified In Submarines." The memorial is dedicated to all U. S. Navy Submariners, past, present, and future, who defend our nation. It is placed here because 28 Submarines built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin passed this spot on their way to war, after Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Included is an artist's rendition of a Manitowoc-built world war two submarine passing through the Lake Shore Drive Drawbridge and entering the Chicago River on its way to Lockport Illinois, the next to last stop on their journey before going off to war in the Pacific. At Lockport, they were placed on a barge for transport down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. , , To the right of the picture and inscription, is a real watertight door, that was salvaged from the USS Trout (SS-566). For safety, it has been rendered non-functional, but visitors can still step through the "bulkhead" via the door. The bench seating is modeled after the superstructure of the boats of that period. Visitors, seated there, may view the artist's rendition previously mentioned, then look through the watertight door opening, and experience an "Ah-Ha" moment, connecting the past with the present, viewing the Lake Shore Drive Bridge through the door opening. The bench seats are made of teak to represent the teak decking on those boats and the benches themselves have been made to represent the shape of the superstructure, including "limber holes" which allow for water drainage from the submarine outer hull during surfacing. , , On the back of one of the benches, is engraved the famous quote that refers to the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, from Adm. Chester Nimitz, "We shall never forget that it was our submarines that held the lines against the enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds." , , On the east side of the bulkhead, at the north end, there is the list of the twenty-eight submarines that were built at Manitowoc. Four of those 28 submarines were lost in combat with all hands, as shown by an asterisk by their name denoting "Lost in Combat." Heading the list, is an engraved world war two Submarine Combat Patrol insignia, which crewmembers were authorized to wear on their uniform after completing a successful war patrol. , , The "Bulkhead" is placed on a thirty-three foot wide circular base of concrete and brick pavers. Thirty-three feet represents the approximate outer hull diameter of the Gato and Balao class submarines built at Manitowoc, and other shipyards, during the war. , , We encourage you to visit www.crashdivebase.org which will enable you to continue your journey through various links to submarine related museums and information. Our hope is that it will spike your interest to the point that you then visit the various museums mentioned in the website. We encourage you to visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and tour the USS Cobia (SS 245) a designated national historic landmark and a world war two Gato Class submarine representative of the submarines that were built there and passed this spot on their way to war in the Pacific. www.wisconsinmaritime.org By Crash Dive Base, United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.