FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

USS CAVALLA SS- 244

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
& LINKS

Q: Where in Galveston is Seawolf Park and the sub Cavalla and destroyer escort Stewart located? Can visitors tour through the boat? If so, during what hours and what days? How much does it cost? If touring is allowed, is it conducted with a guide or self-paced? Are cameras allowed on board?

A: Directions to Seawolf Park, hours, and touring info can be found here.

Q: What are the next moves by the Cavalla Historical Foundation?

A: Fundraising, fundraising, and more fundraising. We have completed the rebuilding of the Cavalla superstructure, replaced the wooden deck, painted the exterior, added bunks, and a torpedo, and added air conditioning. Next we start work on the USS Steward Destroyer Escort and a $1.2 million Museum and plaza.

Q: What about the interior of the sub?

A: There have been more than 150 field days since November. COB John McMichael and the Cavalla volunteers have organized additional field days that included the Sea Cadets and Navy Seabees. The Destroyer Escort Stewart has been chosen as the site for overnight volunteer housing. The berthing areas are being reconditioned with running water and air conditioning. Inside Cavalla, compartments are being cleaned, repainted, repaired, and restored (for more details, see the section Restoration HQ). The goal is to continue to effect small repairs, painting, equipment upgrades, cleaning, and housekeeping. So far the progress has been widely regarded as very successful.

Q: What’s so special about this submarine?

A: On December 7, 1941, the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku, along with five other carriers and Admiral Yamamoto’s task force, launched planes on the American naval base in Pearl Harbor. Those planes crippled and sank seven US battleships, clearing the way for a series of successful Japanese aggressions in the Pacific.

On the afternoon of June 14, 1944, the USS Cavalla stalked and sank Shokaku, avenging the attack at Pearl Harbor. Of all the warships on display in Texas, Cavalla is by far the most successful. It is also namesake for the nuclear Cavalla SSN-684 which won the Battle E award twice.

Q: What else is new with the Cavalla scene?

A: We just concluded the second All Crews Cavalla Reunion at the Galvez Hotel (special thanks to Mr. George Mitchell and Ernie Connors). Over 100 Cavalla vets from 1944 through 1997 attended.

Q: What has the Park Board done to help?

A: Plenty! First, they are very high on Cavalla. The Park Board have been concentrating a great deal of time to the restoration and publicity of Cavalla. First, the Park Board threw in a $50,000 donation, then agreed to raise the price of admission 50% and reserve the increase strictly for the restoration effort. The PB cleared the naval display area to allow the Dallas SUBVETS room for their motor coaches. They have erected a billboard on Broadway, campaigned with the local press, and recently held a gala event at the Tremont House to honor the Cavalla veterans and submarine veterans.

Q: Who are Cavalla's supporters?

A: Strake Foundation led the way when Cavalla was originally brought to Seawolf Park in 1971. Since then, Mr. Strake's foundation has continued to donate generously to the Cavalla restoration. The Houston Endowment, Inc. presented the Cavalla Historical Foundation a check for $175,000 to help restore CAVALLA in 2000. In 2003 The Burke Foundation bestowed the grandest donation of all--$250,000. See our sponsors page for more info.

Q: What can I do to help?

A: Glad you asked! Remember the Texas school children who raised pennies to rescue the Battleship Texas? Every donation adds up. If you can chip in $10 to save our sub, contact Jeff Morris, CHF Treasurer, or COB John McMichael at 409-763-6564. If you have some special skills or abilities, or if you just relish the idea of working on a 55+ year-old submarine, we could use you. And we promise to sound the alarm before diving.

Links

Visit the second submarine named Cavalla, the nuclear USS CAVALLA SSN-684. Commissioned on 9 February 1973, her operations have spanned the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Indian Oceans. Originally operating out of Groton, Connecticut, CAVALLA conducted numerous Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments.	Stationed alongside Cavalla in Seawolf Park is the Destroyer Escort USS Stewart DE-238. The Stewart was one of 85 Edsall class destroyer escorts built between 1942 and 1944 in southeast Texas. Her commissioning took place on 31 May 1943 and she was accepted into the United States Navy under the command of then Lieutenant Commander Blaney C. Turner.
BATTLESHIP TEXAS - The last dreadnought in existence in the world, a veteran of Vera Cruz (1914) and both World Wars, and is credited with the introduction and innovation of advances in gunnery, aviation and radar.	*Another notable vessel in Galveston is the Tall Ship Elissa.* Today ELISSA is much more than an artifact from a bygone era. She is a fully-functional vessel that continues to sail annually during sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Experience her magic at Texas Seaport Museum, Pier 21, Galveston, Texas.
Official Site of the three Texas Navies - The first Texas Navy, consisting of four hastily purchased and minimally equipped small sailing vessels head quartered at Galveston, prevented the Mexican government from landing a second army on the Texas coast. Read about this collection of famous Texas ships, which includes USS Cavalla.	Hilton Resort Beachfront on Galveston Island • 5400 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77551 Tel: (409) 744-5000 • Fax: (409) 740-2209 • 1-800-475-3386
Sid Harrison's Submarine Website Neal Stevens' Deep Domain	National Park Service: National Maritime Initiative - Warships Associated With World War II in the Pacific Links to other notable ships
USS Texas SSN 775 Named for the lone star state, Texas is the second ship of the Virginia class. The keel for Texas was laid on July 12, 2002 and the ship was christened on July 31, 2004. Designed to meet the Navy’s requirements in a post-Cold War era, Virginia-class submarines use advanced technologies to increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth. The 377-feet long Virginia-class submarines are capable of submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for up to three months at a time. Northrop Grumman Newport News Texas Website