Volunteer ReportThe volunteers have all been busy working on their specific projects for the summer. It’ great to see the amount of work they’ve accomplished this summer!
• Pat Habel and Russ Collins have been slowly working on exchanging parts from engine #4 (which we don’t plan to restore) and using them on engine #1. They’re cleaning up injectors and rebuilding parts to rebuild engine #1 which has had problems the last few years. Lenny Klienmark even joined them for a day to tinker with the engines again.
• Paul Kraynek has assisted with engine starts and worked on various light boards and projects on the boat including the hull induction board, hatch limit switches, and repairing the switch to the 1mc. Paul has also helped out with some projects in our new exhibit Wisconsin’s Underwater Treasures.
• Ed Dowling has decided to tackle the crew showers project. He’s been working on painting the entire area, replaced a missing shower head, and is currently working on fabricating the missing mirror.
• Phil Walters has been here weekly working on the HVAC system. He monitors the temperatures and humidity, cleaned strainers, and checked wiring. He’s also worked closely with the systems installer this summer since we plan to do some routine maintenance and upgrades later this year and we’re looking at replacing the boiler.
Subfest 2016: Subs in Pop CultureOur 2nd annual Subfest was July 8th-10th and was bigger and better than last year. About 20 submarine veterans volunteered to spend time on the sub throughout the three day weekend and they talked to just over 2,000 visitors! That is almost double what we had last year! There seemed to be a never ending flow of visitors through the sub for three days straight, but the sub vets enjoyed every minute of it and can’t wait to come back next year. Thank you to all those who helped out!
While Cobia was definitely a highlight for many visitors that weekend there was plenty of other activities outside of the museum for everyone to enjoy as well. The weekend was packed full of live music, food, entertainment, famer’s market, sidewalk sales, water ski show, fireworks, river tours, and more!
Chief Selects Report for DutyA new group of Chief-Selects dropped by for a visit at the end of July. About 15 selects spent five hours working on the sub. They cleaned several bilges and the engine rooms, painted the waterways under the deck, chipped and primed in the pump room, and painted in the maneuvering room bilge. The selects and their mentors were fortunate enough to meet Cobia crewmember Vance Combs, who just happened to be in town for the week and he didn’t mind me putting him to work right away!
Cobia ClarionHarold Knapp celebrated in 90th birthday on May 19th and his family got him a great cake!
I received a call the Lila Gast, wife of S1c Bob Gast, passed away on May 17th.
A few days later, Herbert “Doc” Starmer celebrated his 93rd birthday on May 23rd, but sadly passed away just three days later. Doc was a Chief Pharmacist Mate aboard Cobia for the 3rd – 6th patrols. Doc attended to Ralph Clark Huston Jr. after he was shot during a surface battle. He did everything he could to save him, but was unable to due to lack of equipment and conditions on the boat. He made the plaque for Ralph that is located near the 20mm deck gun. In 1954, Doc earned his teaching degree at the University of Chicago. He spent most of his time teaching in the Navy and for the State of California in consumer affairs. He retired from the Navy and teaching around the same time. To our knowledge, there are only 10 remaining WW II crew members left.
Charlie Stewart sent me his last shipment of his book This Blind Fight and the last 10 copies of the tour cd. The museum has sold hundreds of copies of his book over the years. It’s sad to think this is the last of them. Charlie also just celebrated his 91st birthday on August 9th.
Vance Combs was able to make his annual visit with his wife June, daughter Bonnie, and son-in-law Hal. Vance had a chance to talk with the Navy Chiefs and Chief Selects and was here for a few days talking to visitors on the boat. It’s always great to see Vance and his family. We look forward to seeing the again next summer!
