State budget helps to preserve Manitowoc’s USS Cobia submarine

MANITOWOC, Wis. (WBAY) - The Wisconsin Maritime Museum says it reached its fundraising goal to preserve the submarine USS Cobia, thanks to a $500,000 grant included in the new state budget.

The funds were endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc).

The Cobia will be towed to Sturgeon Bay in September for a six-week restoration project in dry dock at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding.

The preservation is also funded by a $500,000 grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services and donations from hundreds of private individuals, businesses and municipalities.

The museum’s executive director, Kevin Cullen, stated, “We are so grateful to our staff, stakeholders, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle who recognize the importance of preserving USS Cobia as a national WWII historic landmark that enriches the cultural fabric of the City of Manitowoc and the State of Wisconsin."

The Maritime Museum says it takes more than $150,000 every year to keep the Cobia “ship-shape” for visitors.

This $1.5 million project will give it a thorough cleaning and inspection for rust and structural integrity. A fresh coating of epoxy and paint should protect the hull for 25 years or more.

The USS Cobia is designated a National Historic Landmark. Although it’s not one of the famed Manitowoc subs (it was launched in Connecticut), it was brought to Manitowoc as an international memorial to submariners in 1970.

According to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum website, it underwent an extensive renovation in 1996 in dry dock to restore it to the 1945 configuration, including World War II-era accurate flooring, bunks and crew lockers.