USS Cavalla (SS-244) - August 4th, 2007
![](cavalla01.jpg)
A visit to
Seawolf Park,
built on an immigration site, and now home to the USS Cavalla & the
USS Stewart.
The Cavalla
sank the Shokaku (one of six japanese carriers that attacked Pearl Harbor) on 19 June 1944.
![](cavalla02.jpg)
"The Luckiest Ship in the Submarine Service" because of her
outstanding performance
during her short time in service before the war ended and the Navy's ONLY Leap Year ship
![](cavalla06.jpg)
The park is a memorial to the
USS Seawolf, lost October 3rd, 1944
![](cavalla04.jpg)
The submarine veterans who erected this memorial
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The 52 Submarines lost during WW2
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Let the tour of Cavalla begin, start from the stern
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Head around the submarine's anchor to climb aboard
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Walk on deck and head towards the conning tower and bow
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Pass by the conning tower to access the forward entry way
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Current entry was for loading torpedoes, the original hatch is further forward
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Look back towards Cavalla's conning tower before entering
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Port side view of parking lot with conning tower compartment of the USS Carp (SS-338), plus the fishing pier and pavilion in the background
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Enter the vessel by heading down the torpedo loading hatch
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First stop is the forward torpedo room
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Top two forward torpedo launchers with two more below the raised deck
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Torpedos make for an extra firm bed
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Officer's Head, locked up, because . . . for officers only
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Through the hatch to the officer's quarters
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Fold up sink in the captain's quarters
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Captain has a nice comfy bed, desk & drawers in his room
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Through the hatch to the control room and diving station
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Many gauges and valves line the walkway
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Diving station with large center depth gauge in the center
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Hull opening valves and vent controls
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The Shop-Vac was not standard WW2 equipment
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My tour guide, Bill, explained everything, and made sure no damage was done
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The galley was bigger than a past apartment's kitchen
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Crew's mess hall has backgammon & checkers in the tables
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Four tables with movable benches in the mess hall
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Walk through the crew's quarters
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The crew worked hard enough to sleep in these conditions
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Forward engine room once had two diesel engines
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Engine controls and ship indicators
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Engine order command panel, last tested in 1967
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The after engine room still has both diesel engines
![](cavalla37.jpg)
Here is the second one, it is not a mirror image
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Engine order command panel for after engines
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Snorkel status & hull opening panel for after engines
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Continue through the hatch to the Manuevering Room
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Left box & wood railings protect from main generator electrocution
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Into the motor room with left and right engine controllers
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Governor controls for all main engines
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Battery controls and snorkel indicators
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Engine order telegraph with indicators and controls
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Finally make our way into the After Torpedo Room
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There are four launchers in the after torpedo room
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Nice lighted view down one of the open tubes
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Bed headroom really opens up after several torpedoes are fired
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View up toward the crew after egress hatch
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Skinny guys get the lower bunks early in the deployment
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Torpedo propeller cap helps with loading into the ship
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Pass a sink missing its soap when backtracking to the conning tower
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Bill takes a liking to me and takes me up to the conning tower
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Torpedo firing panel with fwd & aft selectors
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Periscope gives a great view over the starboard bow
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Radar and sound equipment monitors
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Torpedo data computer for plotting target bearing
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Ships wheel with rudder angle indicator and engine order telegraph
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Descend from the conning tower back to the control room
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Exit the submarine and walk toward the bow & displayed torpedo
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The exterior of the Cavalla appears to be in good shape
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Remodeled in 1952 w/BQR-4 sonar system & removal of 2 torpedo tubes
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Cavalla received the Presidential Unit Citation & four battle stars
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A park has been added since my last visit in 2000
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The hull was rusted out with gaping holes everywhere in 2000
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Two of four stern torpedo tubes above ground
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The USS Cavalla was the only US submarine to sink a Japanese aircraft carrier that attacked Pearl Harbor