CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – An 83-year-old World War II submarine docked on the shores of Lake Erie will mark America\u2019s 250th birthday with a deck gun firing.<\/p>\n
The USS Cod is one of the most authentic warships preserved in the country. Paul Farace, president of the USS Cod Submarine Memorial, said the vessel is a tangible piece of American history.<\/p>\n
Commissioned in 1943, the Cod completed seven war patrols. It sank more than 12 enemy vessels totaling over 37,000 tons. It also performed history\u2019s only international submarine-to-submarine rescue, saving the crew of a Dutch submarine during its final patrol.<\/p>\n
Cleveland connection<\/p>\n
The Cod came to Cleveland in 1959. Its diesel engines were built on the city\u2019s west side by General Motors. Much of its steel came from Pittsburgh and Youngstown.<\/p>\n
Farace said the Cod was built by a workforce that was about a quarter women.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe better welders, it turned out,\u201d Farace said.<\/p>\n
Forty-eight submarines were lost to enemy action during the war, Farace said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a reminder that your freedom came at a cost,\u201d Farace said.<\/p>\n
Farace has been giving tours at the memorial for 50 years. He was eight years old the first time he walked through the hatch.<\/p>\n
On July 4, the memorial will fire the deck gun to celebrate the nation\u2019s birthday, Farace said.<\/p>\n
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