Coronavirus Has Parallels With WW II's Home Front-- Part 2: Toilet Paper the Hawaiian Way

A big pressure today with the "V" is the hoarding of toilet paper.  This was also a problem of sorts in World War II, however, it was more of a problem with a smaller supply of the commodity rather than an increase in demand as we are having.

The TP problem was especially acute in the Hawaiian Islands.  The lack of trees on them and the fact that paper was used for packaging and transporting weapons, ammunition and blood plasma.

Instead of toilet paper, Hawaiians cut strips of newspaper for bathroom use.  If the person cutting the strips was especially kindhearted, they might crinkle and unkrinkle the strips to make them softer to make them softer.

We are also seeing current shifts in automobile production as Ford Motor Co. is now making ventilators and respirators.  During the war, the auto industry really did an about face.  No new cars were made between 1943 and 1945.    Automakers built jeeps, tanks, trucks and airplanes.

--GreGen

Coronavirus Has Parallels to WW II's Home Front-- From Working At Home to Production Changes in Manitowoc, Wi.-- Part 1

From the Manitowac (Wi) Herald Times Reporter by Shane Lee USA Network.

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc tells the story of the impact of the war on Wisconsin and Midwest.    One point of local pride is that the city built 28 submarines during the war.

By 1943, 200,000 businesses across the country had converted their operations from civilian to military.

The Carron Net Co.  in Two Rivers was known for making fishing nets and nets for sporting events  In 1943, the company received a $1 million contract to make aerial cargo nets, camouflage nets and  and sports nets for troop recreation.  To keep up with orders, part-time workers made nets at home.

By far, the largest change in town was with the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company which switched from building car ferries, tankers, tugs and cutters to making submarines.  The company increased from 500 workers in 1939 to 7,000 a year later.

--GreGen

World War II Items Found on USS Cobia

From the January 1, 2012, Fox 11 (Wis) News by Beth Jones.

Worlers at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowac discovered possessions of a World War II sailor on the submarine USS Cobia which is a museum at the site.  The items have been untouched for nearly 70 years.

Building supervisor Paul Rutherford has worked on the Cobia for more than 30 years.  While performing routine maintenance in the torpedo room next to some bunks, he made the discovery.  There was an old leather bag tucked away.

It held two Navy poems, a cocktail recipe book, a small red velvet pouch, and a stamp with the name Hersey William.

It turns out that Hersey William, now 85, is still alive and living in North Carolina.  Over a phone. William said he was 18 and slept in that bunk during his first war patrol after he boarded it February 1945.  He was also on the Cobia's for his 4th war patrol.

He had visited the Cobia 18 years ago (but must not have remembered or thought his possessions would still be there).  He figures he is probably one of the last survivors of the sub because he was one of the youngest on board.

Some other items have been found on the Cobia over the years, from bullets to tools, old candy wrappers and receipts.

William doesn't remember putting it there.

Wonder if he was reunited with his possessions or came to visit them?

One of Those Interesting Little Stories From the War.  --GreGen

The Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company

From Wikipedia.

This Wisconsin company was founded in 1902 and built steel ferries and ore hauling freighters.

During World War II, they expanded to building submarines, LCT (Tank Landing Craft) and self-propelled fuel barges called YOS.

Employment peaked during the war at 7,000.  The shipyard closed in 1968, but continues at the Manitowoc Company.  In 1939, President Charles C. Wood approached the federal Bureau of Construction and Repairs with plans to build destroyers in Manitowoc.  These ships would then be transported on Lake Michigan to the Chicago River, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, the Illinois River and to the Mississippi River on a floating drydock towed by a tug boat.

The Navy suggested they build submarines instead.  On September 1940, the company received a contract for ten of them.  When each was completed, it went to the Illinois River where it enetered a floating drydock to get throughthe 9-foot deep Chain of Rocks Channel near St. Louis.  They would leave drydock in New Orleans where the periscops and radar masts were reinstalled after being removed to allow clearance of bridges.

The company had never built a submarine before, but had the first one finished 228 days before the contract due date.  In all, 28 submarines were completed for $5,190, 168 less than other submarines.

All Part of the War Effort.  --GreGen

USS Cobia

With a fish name, you know it is a World War II-era submarine.  Today's submarines are named after states such as the battleships used to be.

From Wikipedia.

Gato-class submarine.  Laid down 17 March 1943 by the Electric Boat Co. of Groton, Ct.  Launched 28 March 1943 and commissioned 29 March 1944 and went on six war patrols.

Decommissioned in New London, Ct. in 1946.  Recommissioned July 1951 for reservists and sub school.  Located in Milwaukee from 1959 to 1970.  In 1986, became part of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowac where you can take 45-minute tours of the vessel with your $12 admission.

At the museum, you can also look through the periscope of the USS Rasher (SS-269) one of the submarines built in Manitowac.

Always Good to Have Examples of Those Ships That Won the War Still Around.  --GreGen