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USS CAVALLA SS-244

CAVALLA IN THE NEWS

Houston Chronicle
July 25, 2000, 11:26AM

USS Cavalla restoration gets $175,000 grant

The Cavalla Historical Foundation received a boost in its fund-raising efforts recently after it was awarded a grant for $175,000 from Houston Endowment Inc. It is the largest contribution to date for the project.
The USS Cavalla, a World War II submarine, has suffered "old age" and is in need of extensive repair. The grant will provide funds to allow the Cavalla Historical Foundation to complete all the topside work, which is required before a new deck is installed. Another $200,000 is needed to complete the restoration on the submarine.
Houston Endowment was created in 1937 by Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones and enriches communities by supporting a broad spectrum of charitable organizations. In the 63 years since it was established, it has contributed more than $749 million in grants.
"It is particularly gratifying to present this donation to the Cavalla Historical Foundation in view of Jesse Jones' service in the government during the Depression and up to the end of World War II," said George Grainger, grants administrator for Houston Endowment.
The Cavalla became known as the "luckiest ship in the submarine service" because of its performance during the war. It traveled 90,000 miles, made 570 dives and sank more 34,000 tons of Japanese shipping.
The Cavalla Historical Foundation has hired John McMichael as a full-time curator and project manager. McMichael has served on the foundation's board for the last year.