On the western shore of Lake
Michigan, about 80 miles north of Milwaukee, lies Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In 1940,
the U.S. Navy Department, through its Bureau of Ships, contracted the Manitowoc
Shipbuilding Company for the construction of 10 U.S. Fleet subs of the Gato-
class. After the outbreak of World War II, the contract was expanded to 41
submarines, of which 28 were completed before the end of the war. "Fresh Water
Submarines" tells the unique story of the assembly of these historic subs and
what they accomplished during World War II. The boats of Manitowoc were launched
side-ways as noted on the book cover photo. Then carefully transported down the
long Mississippi River to the ocean. Some of the more famous boats of Manitowac
included: USS Rasher (SS-269),
USS Redfin (SS-272),
USS Hawkbill (SS-366), USS Kete
(SS-369), USS Lagarto (SS-371) and USS
Ray (SS-271). Several including Lagarto, Kete and Golet
were tragically lost.
First published in 1986, "Fresh
Water Submarines" has recently returned to print. This new softbound book is
loaded with information and technical data. 180 pages with 13 historic black and
white photos. No maps or index.
New Book --- $13.95
"A
very interesting piece of Great Lakes history. This is the story of how a
small shipyard in Manitowoc Wisconsin came to produce 28 submarines from
1942-1945. It was written by an admiral who commanded two Manitowoc
submarines. After a brief history of shipbuilding in Manitowoc the author
describes how submarines which had a minimum draft of 12 feet could be
transported through a channel 9 feet deep by carrying the submarines in a
floating dry dock. There are details of construction, sea (lake) trials and
the hazards of taking the dry-docked boat down narrow stretches of the
Mississippi. There are a number of photos including the cover which shows
the sideways launching of a sub. Included is a table of ships sunk in combat
which totaled about 500,000 tons. The company has evolved into making
cranes, refrigeration equipment as well as shipbuilding and dry dock
operations. I was fascinated by this story. It will appeal to those with an
interest in Great Lakes shipbuilding, industrial history, and the US Navy."
Peter H. Cooke
Note: Photos below appear in the book.
Above photo: USS Peto, commissions at Manitowoc
on December 21, 1942. On the far left, Rear Admiral J. T. Nelson USNR (Ret.)
father of the C.O., (center) Mrs. William Nelson wife of the C.O. and
Lieutenant Commander William T. Nelson the Commanding Officer (far right).
Above photo: USS Peto on her first-day trip
down river, December 27, 1942. Tug is Kansas City of Federal Barge
Lines.
The
Author
Rear Admiral William Nelson was born in Fall River, Massachusetts in
1908. After graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1930 he served
for 20 years, primarily in submarines. During World War II,
Commander Nelson was the skipper of two different Manitowoc-built
boats. As captain of USS Peto (SS-265), Nelson sank two
Japanese ships. Following the war, and until his retirement form the
Navy in 1965, Nelson's duty was largely in the field of logistics.
After retirement the admiral served for six years on the Military
Advisory Board of the Logistic Management Institute. Nelson has also
been a Trustee of the Fairfax County Public Library and is an
Honorary Trustee of the Manitowoc Maritime Museum.
ISBN # unknown
Fresh Water SUBMARINES
The Manitowoc Story
by Rear Admiral William T. Nelson, USN (Ret.)
New Softbound edition
180 pages, 13 black and white photographs
New $13.95
