![]() When visiting the museum, one can’t miss the breathtaking views of the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse, sitting at the entrance to the harbor. However, to draw in more tourists, residents decided to add a museum. Cobia, which was brought back to Manitowoc to be displayed as a tribute to the submarines built for the war, further memorializing shipbuilding as a crucial characteristic of Manitowoc’s identity. The Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company built submarines during WWII, including the U.S.S. Cobia as a submarine memorial in Manitowoc. Before the museum was developed, a group of Manitowoc residents had the idea to display the U.S.S. This museum draws lovers of lakes and history alike to come visit a city that has its roots in shipbuilding and nautical activities. One of the biggest, most extensive attractions is the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. Manitowoc is home to a plethora of entertaining and educational attractions that help visitors appreciate the maritime history of the city while also contributing to the town’s tourism industry. Shipbuilding was a major way women were brought into Manitowoc’s workforce. While around half of these women were office workers, 177 women worked in production as welders, painters, and machinists. 358 women were employed at the shipyards by 1943. Positions in shipbuilding became highly sought after, and following the start of WWII in the 1940’s, women started working in the shipyards as more men were drafted for the war. The stability of housing and employment was also very appealing to citizens of Manitowoc as they faced the economic insecurity brought about by WWI. ![]() Removing housing problems for employees allowed the company to expand into six buildings and produce 18 ships a year. A steamer named the Chicago was also converted into a floating hotel and dining room. 100 homes for employees were provided during this time as well, after the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company converted an old machine shop into a dormitory. By World War I, the company increased their employment to 2,500 employees working in the shipyards. This industry gave birth to numerous jobs for those living in Manitowoc, which further grew the economy. The Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company developed materials from steel vessels to all-steel ships for the U.S. The Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company (formerly known as The Manitowoc Dry Dock Company) was founded in 1902 by Charles West and Elias Gunnell and went on to dominate much of the economy and industry of Manitowoc. Manitowoc was eventually made a port of entry in 1854, and soon after, the potential of the harbor for economic and commercial growth was recognized by Congress and the citizens alike. With little progress made, the people of Manitowoc continued to ask Congress for money to improve the harbor over the next few decades. These nautical advantages were so paramount to the city that in 1836, the first government of the Manitowoc territory wrote to Congress asking for funding to build harbors and lighthouses along the coast of Lake Michigan. With a wide and deep bay, Manitowoc was soon recognized as the only point on the west side of Lake Michigan where boats were safe from any strong southwest winds. From very early on it became clear to the settlers of Manitowoc that the town had natural advantages due to the proximity to Lake Michigan. Settlement increased in Manitowoc and in the neighboring town of Two Rivers in 1836 when more Europeans came to the area after rumors of a gold strike near Kewaunee. ![]() Like much of Wisconsin, Manitowoc was home to Native Americans for centuries before Europeans settled in the state and established towns. Manitowoc’s maritime industry dates all the way back to its founding in 1836.
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