From:
"Frank Voznak" franklin2@comcast.net
Subject: Chicago Submarine Memorial
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2014 21:33:54 -0600
Crash Dive
Base, USS Chicago Base, United States Submarine Veterans,
Inc._________________
Commander Curtis Grant,
Crash Dive Base, and USS Chicago Base, have undertaken a submarine memorial
project for the City of Chicago. The proposed site is located on the
south bank of the Chicago River, just east of the Columbus Drive Bridge, near
the downtown area. Our intention is to keep December 7, 1941 in
public view, discuss and show that there were submarines built in Manitowoc
Wisconsin during World War II, and to honor all United States Navy submariners,
past, present and future.
Our memorial project is in the form or representation of a “submarine
bulkhead.” The “bulkhead” will be made of steel, and coated with marine
grade epoxy paint. On it there are several points of
interest. On the west side of the bulkhead, at the top center, the
Submariners Dolphin Insignia will be engraved. Below that and on the
left, an inscription will read “Dedicated to all U. S. Navy Submariners, past,
present and future, who defend our nation in peace and in war.” “28
Submarines built in Manitowoc Wisconsin passed this spot on their way to war,
after Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941” is also included. Also on
this side, is an artist’s rendition of a WWII submarine that was built in Manitowoc
Wisconsin, passing through the Lake Shore Drive Drawbridge and entering the
Chicago River on its way to Lockport Illinois, the next to last stop on their
Stateside journey before going off to war.
To the right of the picture and inscription, we have obtained and will have
installed, a watertight door salvaged from the USS Trout (SS- 566) that will be
rendered non-functional, but the public will still be able to traverse or step
through the “bulkhead” using the door. Also on this side there will be
seating facing the memorial so the public can sit and view the whole side of
the memorial. At a special spot, people can view the artist’s rendition
previously mentioned, then look through the water tight door opening, and get
that “Ah-Ha” moment connecting the past with the present by viewing the Lake
Shore Drive Bridge through the door opening. The seating material will be
made of teak to represent the teak decking of those “boats,” but the outer
seating will be steel, also coated with the marine grade epoxy paint, made
to represent the shape of the superstructure, including several “limber
holes.” On the back of the seating, we will have engraved the
famous quote from Adm. Chester Nimitz,
"We
shall never forget that it was our submarines that held the lines against the
enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds."
On the east side of the bulkhead, at the north end, there will be the list
of the twenty-eight submarines that were built at Manitowoc. Four
of the 28 submarines were lost in combat. Each of the four will have an
asterisk by their name denoting “Lost in Combat.”
The “Bulkhead” will all be placed on a wide circular base made of concrete
and brick pavers. The concrete and paver base represents the approximate
outer hull diameter of the Gato & Balao class submarines built at
Manitowoc, and other shipyards, during the war.
Visitors can view the route these boats took going towards the Mississippi
River en route to their destination at New Orleans, Louisiana on the map that
will be part of the memorial, they can continue their journey by exploring the
website we will have included with the map. The website will enable them
to continue their journey by going to various links to the related submarine
Museums and other information that we will provide. Our hope is that
it will spike their interest to the point that they then visit the various
museums and libraries mentioned in the website. Being placed next to the
existing bike path / walkway, and next to where the “tall” ships tie up is a
perfect spot and should draw a lot of attention. We also plan to have our
memorial included as a point of interest for the various Chicago River tour
boats. The design of our project meets the approval of the City of
Chicago.
Our fundraising efforts have been mostly in approaching companies,
organizations, and individuals that have a connection with the military, and/or
submarines. Because the USSVI creed is
to
perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their
duties while serving their country, and also to educate all third parties we
come in contact with about the services United States submariners performed and
how the sacrifices of lost shipmates made possible the freedom and lifestyle
Americans enjoy today, we hope your base and /or membership can assist
us in moving this memorial forward. Any financial assistance from either
the Base itself or from individual base members would be greatly appreciated
and acknowledged by Crash Dive Base and USS Chicago Base, at some point on the
Memorial, or on our website, when the project is completed.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to contact
me or CDR Ken Tupman of USS Chicago Base with any questions that you might
have.
Fraternally yours,
Frank J. Voznak
Jr.
Frank J. Voznak Jr.
Vice Commander/ Project Manager
Crash Dive Base, USSVI
