“sunk more than a dozen enemy ships”
U.S.S. Cod (SS 224), named after the world's most important food fish, is a World War II era GATO class fleet submarine. The 312-ft, (95-m) 1,525-ton submarine began her life on July 21, 1942 when her keel was laid at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, Connecticut. Cod was launched on March 21, 1943 under the sponsorship of Mrs. Grace M. Mahoney, wife of a veteran shipyard employee, and was placed in commission on June 21, 1943, under the command of CDR James C. Dempsey, USN. In 1959 she was towed through the newly opened St. Lawrence Seaway to serve as a naval reserve training vessel in Cleveland, Ohio. The veteran submarine was an instant hit with school children who visited her on field trips. In 1971, no longer useful as a training ship, Cod was stricken from the register of Navy ships.A handful of Clevelanders formed the Cleveland Coordinating Committee to Save Cod, Inc., to preserve her as a memorial on the city's lakefront. In January, 1976, the Navy gave guardianship of the submarine to the group. Codbegan her career as a floating memorial in May of 1976 when she opened for public tours and quickly established herself as a popular tourist attraction. In 1986, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated Cod a National Historic Landmark.Today, Cod is one of the finest restored submarines on display and is the only U.S. submarine that has not had stairways and doors cut into her pressure hull for public access. Visitors to this proud ship use the same vertical ladders and hatches that were used by her crew. Cleveland can claim partial credit as Cod's birthplace, since the submarine's five massive diesel engines were built by General Motors' Cleveland Diesel plant on Cleveland's west side.Cod is credited with sinking more than 12 enemy vessels totalling more than 37,000 tons, and damaging another 36,000 tons of enemy shipping. All seven of her war patrols were considered successful and Cod was awarded seven battle stars.
This is a great sub on the outside! The kids loved being able to touch and experience the large gun on top of the ship. They got to move it around and learn about how it takes many people to aim, and fire upon enemies.
ONLY problem we had was midsize people cannot fit down the hole into the submarine. You enter the hole and it is a straight shot by steep ladder down into the main hull. There was no way we were getting down there!
The grounds were beautiful and had great memorials to view. The staff was spectacular and funny. It was a good time but we would have loved seeing in the sub.
Great fun! Great gate attendant ... Love the free parking!
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USS Cod Submarine Memorial
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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Outdoor Seating
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