Seawolf Park facts for kids
Seawolf Park is a special place in Galveston, Texas, United States. It is on Pelican Island, just north of Galveston. The park is a memorial to a United States Navy submarine called USS Seawolf (SS-197). This submarine was accidentally sunk by U.S. Navy forces in 1944 during World War II.
Seawolf Park is a unique museum where you can see different types of ships. It has a submarine, a destroyer escort, and parts of a large concrete ship. These ships represent the "hunter," the "protector," and the "hunted" in naval history. It's a great place to learn about ships and their roles.
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Exploring the Ships
Seawolf Park is home to two preserved U.S. Navy ships. You can visit the submarine USS Cavalla (SS-244). This is a Gato-class submarine. You can also explore the destroyer escort USS Stewart (DE-238). This ship is an Edsall-class destroyer escort.
The USS Stewart
The USS Stewart (DE-238) was a fast ship designed to hunt submarines. Near the ladder leading to its deck, you can see two large bronze propellers. Each propeller weighs over a ton! These propellers helped the Stewart move very quickly. They were powered by two Diesel engines. This gave the ship up to 6,000 horsepower. This power allowed it to travel up to 21 knots, which is about 24 miles per hour. These propellers are displayed so visitors can get a close look.
Behind the propellers, you will find two memorial guns. These are 3-inch, 50-caliber guns. They were donated from the famous battleship USS Texas (BB-35). The Stewart originally had three more of these guns on board.
Other Ship Parts
The park also has parts of other important submarines. You can see the conning tower of the USS Carp (SS-338). This was a Balao-class submarine. Also on display is the sail of the USS Tautog (SSN-639). This was a Sturgeon-class nuclear attack submarine.
The S.S. Selma
You can also see the remains of the World War I tanker S.S. Selma. This ship was special because it was the largest concrete ship ever built. Its remains can be seen northwest of the park's fishing pier.
Fun Activities at the Park
Seawolf Park is not just for learning about ships. It's also a great place for outdoor fun!
Picnic and Fishing
The park has a nice picnic area where families can enjoy meals. If you like to fish, you can fish from the pier for a small fee. There is also free access to the shoreline on either side of the park. Many people enjoy fishing there.
What Fish Can You Catch?
In the waters around the park, you can catch many different types of fish. Some common fish include sand seatrout and speckled trout. You might also catch gafftopsail catfish, drum, and flounder.
