The following article was submitted by Susie Menk, the Youth Services Librarian at the Manitowoc Public Library.
“Down periscope! Close the hatches! Dive! Dive! Dive!” These are familiar phrases if you know anything about submarines. Or even submarine-themed movies! Manitowoc is fortunate to be home to the USS Cobia, an actual World War II submarine. Many citizens in our community have seen the Cobia or even been on a tour of the submarine sitting in the Manitowoc River, but have you ever SLEPT on a submarine?
Wisconsin Maritime Museum and Manitowoc Public Library are partnering to bring you a night to remember—a sleepover on the submarine the evening of Friday, July 29. Participating families will get to enjoy a special behind-the-scenes tour of the USS Cobia—not just through the rooms on the main deck, but also a peek up in the conning tower and possibly even below decks. Special drills and activities in the compartments of the submarine will give families a chance to experience what it was like to work in the confined spaces of a submarine and how important drills were to speed up the time it took to respond to orders.
“Rig for Red,” for example, is where the ship lights go from white to red. One of the reasons for doing this was to help submariners to transition from inside light to outside darkness. Submarines often surfaced at night time to refresh the air in the sub, to run their engines, and recharge the batteries. Using red lights helped the crew to adjust more quickly to nighttime light in order to keep watch for enemy ships while they were on the surface.
Library staff will finish off the evening’s activities with a storytime. Books that relate to life on the Great Lakes and sea shanty songs will also be a part of this fun event. Manitowoc Public Library has several books that highlight life along the lake and the history of shipbuilding in Manitowoc. Shipping, shipbuilding and other maritime activities have had an amazing impact on our local history. Wisconsin Maritime Museum has so many displays and artifacts that recollect this important part of our past.
Susie Menk
After sleeping on the submarine and a light breakfast the next morning, families will have an opportunity to explore the fascinating exhibits in the museum.
Space is limited for this event, so registration is required. Families can register on Manitowoc Public Library’s website at the following link: www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/sleepover-sub. A parent or guardian must accompany children for this event and signed waivers are required to get in. Once registered, families may pick up the necessary waiver at the Library or thay can always fill it out the night of the event. All registered families will meet at Wisconsin Maritime Museum at 7 PM the evening of July 29. Just a reminder that there are no working bathrooms on the Cobia, so the nearest bathroom will be inside the museum.
For further details and more information, go to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/sleepover-sub.
We hope that you’ll be able to join us for this spectacular FREE event, “Sleepover on the Submarine,” on Friday, July 29 at 7 PM.
