USS Cavalla

The USS Cavalla is a Gato-class submarine on display at Seawolf Park in Galveston, Texas as part of a naval museum. The vessel stretches about 311 feet (95 meters) and contains its original torpedo rooms, crew berthing areas, control room, and engine compartments for visitors to explore.

The submarine was built during World War II and gained recognition for sinking the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku, which had participated in the Pearl Harbor attack. This major warship represented a significant naval achievement for the vessel's crew.

The submarine functions as a space where visitors experience how crews lived and worked together in confined spaces during their missions. The preserved interior reveals the tight conditions and routines that shaped daily life aboard these vessels.

Access to the submarine is available through guided or self-guided tours that allow visitors to navigate the tight passageways and explore historical spaces. The vessel sits on a waterfront park that is easy to reach and operates year-round for visitors.

The submarine is anchored next to the destroyer escort USS Stewart, offering a rare chance to see two opposing naval vessel types side by side. This juxtaposition reveals how different these two warships were in design and function during the same conflict.

Location: Galveston

Location: Galveston County

Inception: January 1, 1943

Reference: SS-244

Address: East End of Seawolf Park

Website: https://galvestonnavalmuseum.com

GPS coordinates: 29.33420,-94.77885

Latest update: December 19, 2025 22:49