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.

The USS Cobia is permanently part of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, located in the shipbuilding town of Manitowoc.

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The museum was founded in 1968 by former submariners and Manitowoc leaders who wanted to preserve the community’s rich maritime history.

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The museum is huge and it holds a massive collection of maritime history. But its star exhibit is floating just outside.

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The USS Cobia is a perfect example of the sort of submarine that was built right here in Manitowoc – a Gato-class submarine.

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While the Cobia was built in Connecticut, it’s just like the subs that were built in Wisconsin during the war. After its service in the Pacific, the Cobia spent a number of years as a training sub before it was towed to Manitowoc to become an international memorial to submariners.

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In 1986, Cobia became part of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, and it was declared a National Historic Landmark, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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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.

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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.

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Address: Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc, WI 54220, USA