02/29/2024
This article was written by Capt. Zeke Zelmer who was a junior officer on the USS Cavalla when she sank the Shokaku who had participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Cavalla was on her very first war patrol when she accomplished this.
U.S.S. Cavalla (SS244) --- the Born Again and Again and Again, Submarine
Cavalla, our Lucky Lady, was one of the last thin-skinned, Gato-Class submarines. Commissioned Leap Year Day 1944 in New London, she went to war just over a month later. Cavalla departed Pearl on 31 May for her first patrol. The Lucky Lady made contact with two Japanese fleet oilers and three escorts, and later with a large Japanese task force heading toward Saipan and the First Battle of the Philippine Sea. Their positions were reported, but Cavalla had been unable to keep up with either group. When permitted to attack, not just report, the Lucky Lady found and sank the Shokaku, a carrier that had bombed Pearl Harbor. Her luck was tested by 105 depth charges dropped from Japanese destroyers. On her third patrol, the Lucky Lady had her revenge. East of Singapore, a night surface attack sank the Shimotsuki, one of the destroyers that had depth charged Cavalla on that first patrol. During six patrols, the Lucky Lady sank a carrier, a destroyer, two merchants and a trawler; she protected her crew from depth charges, two strafing runs, a torpedo attack, and a bombing. As a member of that crew, I strongly believed in the luck of our Lucky Lady.
Cavalla was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation and with orders to Tokyo Bay and the Surrender Ceremony. In March of 1946 Cavalla was decommissioned and assigned to the Reserve Fleet. That ended Cavalla’s first life.
It was decided that a submarine would be put back into service to develop and test sonar equipment. Apparently a thin-skinner would do for this task; Cavalla’s luck had returned. She would be born again. In April 1950, re-commissioned and designated SS, she was assigned to Submarine Development Group II. In September 1952, Cavalla was again decommissioned and underwent extensive conversion before being re-commissioned and again designated SS in April 1953. After further modification, Cavalla, in February 1954, was designated SSK. Cavalla had two further mission and designation changes, back to SS, then to AGSS before being decommissioned for the last time in June of 1968.
During that second life, Cavalla developed and tested state of the art sonar and radar systems and monitored the seas to determine the characteristics of Soviet weapons, equipment and ships. Cavalla’s data helped determine the kind of submarines and weapons we should build. Cavalla also developed tactics that our submarines would use during the Cold War. Thus our thin-skinned, diesel submarine from WWII had a major impact on the modern nuclear submarines that would be built.
In September of 1970, Cavalla was born again and began a third life when she was transferred to the Texas Chapter of the Submarine Veterans of WWII. Cavalla was brought into a trench dredged into Sea Wolf Park on Pelican Island, Galveston, Texas. The trench was filled in and Cavalla would rest there as a Memorial to the Submarine Service and World War II. Later the Destroyer Es**rt Stewart (DE238) was placed alongside. Her landlord and manager was the Galveston Park Board though her titular owner remained the Texas Chapter of the Submarine Veterans of WWII.
For many years, the new attraction in Galveston received much attention and considerable revenue, a reported million dollars. As time went on, the newness wore off, and, with near zero maintenance and no publicity, Cavalla deteriorated, became unattractive, and fewer visitors toured her. Sun, salt and vandalism held sway. A submarine, left to nature’s devices, doesn’t develop an antique patina --- it rusts.
When I saw Cavalla on Leap Year Day 1964, she was shipshape and sparkling for her fifth birthday (twentieth anniversary) ceremony. Captain Kossler, her first skipper, was the guest of honor. All Cavalla’s plank owners had been invited to the party. Not until 1993 did I see her again, a most discouraging visit. Cavalla was rusty, dirty and desperately needed topside painting. Vandals had broken most of the glass faces of the gauges, sound powered phones had been torn from their cables and were missing, and graffiti defaced the old and weary boat. When I tried to get some Cavalla souvenirs for my grandchildren, the ship’s store (on the Stewart) was closed for inventory. A plea to open the store for an old Cavalla sailor fell on deaf ears. In town, there was no evidence that Cavalla existed. No post cards, no signs to point the way to Sea Wolf Park, nothing. The co**se that was Cavalla could have sunk in her trench and not have been missed. Our only souvenirs were some pictures I took of my old boat and an envelope of rust chips that my wife picked up from the ground alongside the hull.
In 1994, Cavalla Shipmates held their reunion in Galveston to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cavalla’s commissioning. It should have been a joyous ceremony, but the condition of Cavalla cast a somber mood. We gathered at our old battle stations and videotaped each Shipmate as he told a favorite sea story, but we felt more like being at a wake than at a golden anniversary party. The golden image we wanted to see was over-painted with red rust and black dirt. We felt that our Lucky Lady’s luck had run out.
In January 1997, a young man, Neal Stevens, started a web site dedicated to Cavalla. He had never been in the military, but, when a youngster, his father had taken him to Galveston to tour the Cavalla. Neal became enamored with Cavalla and submarines. His web site aroused interest in Cavalla, both locally and nationally. A number of Cavalla’s Shipmates provided Neal with pictures and stories. Neal met with local submariners and became an associate member of the SubVets of WWII. He talked to a Galveston Park Board representative in June of 1998 to see what could be done for Cavalla, but received no encouragement.
In October of 1998, the Galveston Park Board scheduled a meeting to decide if Cavalla should be dragged out to sea and sunk as an artificial reef. John Frederick, a SubVet of WWI, and Neal attended that meeting and spoke on behalf of Cavalla, of its historic significance, and the need to restore, not remove her. The Board decided to give her supporters a chance to do the impossible and asked them to return in November to demonstrate some commitment and support from the Veterans and the Community.
At that point a number of veteran submariners banded together and dedicated themselves to the restoration of the Cavalla. Gil Raynor and Ron Smith organized a Cavalla Restoration Steering Committee; Zeb Alford was asked to Chair the Committee, Neal was a member. They outlined a plan to start an Internet pledge page, organize field days on Cavalla, and create a set of historical displays covering her history. The Cavalla web site began raising money for restoration through volunteer contributions and in the first week received pledges for over $3000. Submariners from all over the country sent e-mails to the Galveston Park Board urging restoration of Cavalla. Early in November, Neal joined the World War II Cavalla Shipmates at their reunion in Kings Bay, Georgia. After hearing Neal’s report on Cavalla and the plans for her restoration, the Shipmates all signed a petition to the Galveston Park Board for the restoration of their boat and pledged their support. In addition, the Shipmates made Neal an Honorary Shipmate, designated him the “Cavalla Historian,” and authorized him to be their spokesman. Our Lucky Lady’s luck might return.
In November, the Galveston Park Board decided to move toward restoration with the support of the Veterans. Winter 1998 was the turning point; a few Volunteers (mostly Navy submariners), with scarce funds available, began to turn back the clock. They came from Galveston, Dallas, Houston and points more distant, all at their own expense, to hold a “field day” weekend on Cavalla. The work ahead seemed endless. The pump room was flooded as were the battery wells. Dirt and grime covered everything. Bright work had been painted, and the linoleum was worn, torn, and buckled. Much was missing or broken. Many systems had not been functional for years. The teak deck had been covered with concrete and was no longer safe. --- So much to do and so few to try. --- Nevertheless, the restoration proceeded on three fronts --- skilled and grunt labor from Volunteers, solicitations for funds, and support from the Galveston Park Board.
As the months passed, the Volunteers increased in numbers and several organizations helped provide additional labor. Dave Stoops was the initial Chief of the Boat directing the work of the Volunteers. Doc Beeghly assisted him. On one Cavalla Field Day Weekend, 65 Volunteers came to work on Cavalla. The Sea Cadets of the Junior Navy League and the SeaBorne Challenge Corps have been most helpful. In addition to the Texas Volunteers, individuals have come from other parts of the country and spent a week or two working on the Cavalla. The Vets from Dallas adopted the Forward Torpedo Room as their project and spurred a competitive spirit among the Volunteers. Cavalla was beginning to shine.
Why do the Volunteers give so much of their time and effort? Submariners have always felt a close bond with their Shipmates. Their submarine becomes a personalized part of their lives. Working on Cavalla brings back those bonds and the camaraderie they missed when they left the service. That the spirit is catching, can be seen by looking at the wives who come to help restore that rusty hulk. That spirit is most evident on a Saturday evening after a full work-day when the Volunteers gather on the Stewart for dinner and a relaxed time together. The After Bunkroom (3 compartments) on Stewart has had two compartments restored as bunk-rooms with the third providing galley, mess, and meeting room. Billie Mc Michael, the First Lady of Pelican Island, reigns over the third compartment. A new program is being initiated to permit organizations, like the Boy Scouts, to have a conducted tour of the ships, sleep over night, and have dinner and breakfast on the Stewart.
At one stage in Cavalla’s decline, a disastrous decision had been made to pour concrete over the wooden deck. I don’t know all the factors of that decision, but have been told that one of the reasons was to make walking over the deck easier, especially for ladies with high-heeled shoes. Whatever the reason, the result was to trap the moisture under the concrete and foster the rusting process. By the late 90’s, the framing supporting the deck and the superstructure plating had rusted so badly that safety became a major concern. The Volunteers tackled the task of jack hammering and removing the concrete; this time they also had some help from the Justice Department and some “involuntary” Volunteers assisted in the demolition derby. The framing and side plating were so badly rusted that all had to be removed.
Major funds were needed if Cavalla were to become shipshape again. Renee Adame of the Galveston Park Board assisted the Volunteers in organizing and incorporating the Cavalla Historical Foundation. Zeb Alford, who had served as Executive Officer of Cavalla (57-58), was elected chairman. In 2000 and 2001, major contributions were received from the Strake Foundation and the Houston Endowment. Arrangements with the Galveston Park Board provided that fifty percent of the admission revenue would be made available for restoration and maintenance. To date, from all sources, over $500,000 has been received. That includes more than $30,000 in small, individual contributions. In addition, there have been many donations of materials and systems such as a truck, A/C systems and other equipment. Salvage from Maritime Facilities has provided bunk frames, mattresses and covers, etc.
Restoration of the Cavalla has depended to a maximum extent on the work by Volunteers. The policy for assignment of projects is: a. If the Volunteers can do the project in a reasonable time, they will do it. b. If it is beyond their capabilities or would require too long a time, then, when funds permit, contractors will get the job. Contracts are let by a competitive bidding process under the auspices of the Galveston Park Board. To date, Contractors have sand blasted and painted the hull, rolled the plating and erected the superstructure and the deck frames. As I write, the wood for the deck has arrived in Houston and plans are to have it installed under contract. Funds for that purpose are being solicited. Supporters are being asked to contribute $50 for a deck plank and thus become “honorary plank owners.” Contractors have also installed three air conditioning systems. (Six used systems were donated; two are on Cavalla and one on Stewart; three were cannibalized to make the others work.) By fall, the external restoration of Cavalla will be largely complete. There remains much to do inside the boat. Among many other things, the periscope’s optics need repair or replacement.
One factor contributing to Cavalla’s downfall over the years was the lack of publicity. Neal’s web site and his early article to the press started the new cycle. Gil Raynor works with the Galveston and Houston media when significant milestones are reached; thus the local community becomes informed of Cavalla and her progress toward restoration. In 2000, Graystone Productions filmed some sequences on Cavalla, including an interview with a Cavalla plank owner. They were on the History Channel in 2001 as part of the documentary series, “The Silent Service.” Shipmate Reunions and an annual Memorial Day Service garner further publicity for Cavalla. Currently another Producer has started making a documentary. In addition, Ken Anderson, a professional videographer and one of the Volunteers has documented the progress of Cavalla’s restoration.
For the past two years, John Mc Michael has been the full time Chief of the Boat, Project Manager, and Curator. He is the only salaried employee of the Cavalla Historical Foundation. His salary is equally shared between the Cavalla Historical Foundation and the Galveston Park Board. He gets paid for the usual 40 hour week, but is a full time employee in the Navy sense and can be found working on the Cavalla or Stewart seven days a week. The Volunteers donate their time and talent and pay for their meals and laundry. With one exception the Volunteers’ reward is intangible. The exception is that each year a male and a female “Volunteer of the Year” award is given. They consist of a silver ring and a silver pendant with the original Cavalla insignia. They were made from a mold of the original ring that was made for a plank owner and sent to him while he was on patrol in the Pacific during WWII. The initial recipients were Griz Adams and Susan Morris.
The Cavalla Historical Foundation has established three priorities. They are, in priority order: 1. Complete the restoration of the Cavalla. 2. Undertake the restoration of the Stewart (to date, the Stewart has had only essential work done to prevent further deterioration). 3. Build a Museum dedicated to Cavalla and Stewart. With the dedication, determination and persistence of the Volunteers and with the cooperation and support of the Galveston Park Board, the priorities of the Cavalla Historical Foundation will be met! The next project can then begin: maintenance of the two historic ships.
As a personal postscript, I should like to add my personal thanks to all who have made it possible for the Cavalla to be born again. Putting a submarine in commission and sailing on her for the first five war patrols makes that submarine a special love. The Cavalla carried us through some exciting and hazardous times and brought us safely home. It is most gratifying to see her being restored. At a recent CHF Board meeting, I was pleased to take that envelope of rust chips my wife collected, unseal it and show the Volunteers something that visitors would no longer see on Cavalla! Yes indeed, luck has returned to our Lucky Lady, the Cavalla. She will have a full third life!
Zeke Zellmer
CAPT USNR-Ret.
