Manitowoc's subs in WW II

From: Paul E.
Location: Milwaukee
Email: shystr at execpc dot com
Remote Name: 66.202.120.119
Date: 03/31/04
Time: 08:08:35 PM

Comments

Many or all of the ten or more World War II fleet submarines built at Manitowoc (Wisconsin) Shipbuilding on Lake Michigan appear to have engaged in training cruises for what seem to be extended periods before leaving for the war zone. For example, U.S.S. "Rock", SS 274, engaged in "a month of intensive training in Lake Michigan" before taking a floating dry dock ride down the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers to the Gulf at New Orleans. See www.hazegray.com . Also, "Raton", SS 270, engaged in "training in Lake Michigan", as did "Ray", SS 271, which was "training [from July 27, 1943] until August 15 in Lake Michigan." So here's my question (if anyone here is old enough to know): Did any of these submariners-in-training use Great Lakes commercial vessels as live training targets before their experiences against the Japanese in the Pacific? Did any (for example) practice their torpedo runs against Pere Marquette or Ann Arbor or Grand Trunk carferries? Did they lie in wait for ore boats coming down the length of Lake Michigan on their way to Gary? [If I were leaving for the war zone in a few weeks, I'd want my crew to have all the realistic training they could]! What does everyone else think? Does anyone know for sure? Not that this matters -- It's just intriguing when you look at the job these sub crews had in taking attack submarines from the Inland Seas to the South China Sea and the Western Pacific! Thanks!