Tour the U.S.S. Cod Submarine in Cleveland, Ohio

Nestled just aside the Burke Lakefront Airport just off from the North Marginal road in downtown Cleveland, Ohio sets the U.S.S. Cod Submarine. See what this deep diving submarine has to offer.

Open daily from May 1 through September 30^th each year. Check out the main website for current hours and rates. There is an admission fee for adults and children however all funds go completely to ongoing restoration and maintenance. There is no other external funding for this National Historic Landmark so consider the admission fee part of your contribution.

U.S.S. Cod has lived through many years traveling the seas, holding a tremendous position fighting against Imperial Japan during World War I. As the history pamphlets from the submarine tour mention, the U.S.S. Cod held an important part in bombing off the shores of Japan. Due to its small stature, the U.S.S. Cod was comparably smaller to the other fleet around Japan; hence it was the only one to be unnoticed by other combating allies. Together with its "sister subs" it sunk around 214 warships and 1,178 merchant ships in total.

Launching March 21, 1943 and was commissioned on June 21, 1943 to fight in the South Pacific. Among the many things it proceeded to do during the war it is most noted for rescuing the Dutch o-19 submarine. It is known for this rescue as being the only international sub to sub rescue in history. Later it was re-commissioned in 1951 to help train NATO anti-submarine forces. Then in 1959 it was shipped to its final resting spot in Cleveland. It was not until 1976 that the Navy gave in to the campaign against scraping the U.S.S. Cod. Then in 1986 it was named a National Historic Landmark.

Touring the submarine was of a free sort to tourists. After entering the admission gate tourists can get up close and see through a real periscope on ground. Then everyone can enter the top of the submarine which is tethered to the shore of Lake Erie. Basically everyone walks from the back of the internal part of the submarine to the front of it. There are nine sections to view and for the most part can be openly walked through to see all of them. These are the nine sections:

1. Forward Torpedo Room

2. Forward Battery

3. Control Room

4. Conning Tower

5. After Battery Compartment

6. Forward Engine Room

7. After Engine Room

8. Maneuvering Room

9. After Torpedo Room

My husband and I toured the entire submarine together for about an hour. Our day choice could have been better seeing there was a Brown's Game along with all of its dedicated parked fans. There are a few parking spots available just in front of the submarine even on game days, free with admission. It's hard getting around the police sectioned off traffic patterns though on game days so please go early. Other days there is plenty of easy access in and out.

Walking through the submarine was very pleasurable and enjoyable. There were less than then on the submarine when we were there. The setup of the submarine dates back to its original days and takes the tourist back to these times. It was a good history lesson walking through the tight space. In addition, it was nice to sit in the eating areas and look down the torpedo tunnels. There are a few recorded information buttons throughout the submarine, which helps the tourist learn a little about American History and submarine life. It was a good hour of touring.

Our only complaint was the lack of information given throughout the tour. Even though there were placards and a few recordings we don't feel as though we got the most that we could have if there were a tour guide. Personal stories of the lives that were lived aboard would have taken the tour from good to excellent.

All in all we had an enjoyable tour and we are glad we could help support this National Historic Landmark. We both highly recommend all adults and older children to go at least once in their lifetime. Due to the cramped space, I recommend not taking smaller children because it can be slightly less than exciting. Other than that, it is a great time and you will get a little feeling of what the men went through to fight during World War I.