The Raddatz Submarine

“I must confess that it was not without misgivings that I stepped within what looked like a floating coffin . . . After the party became seated the manhead [hatch] was closed down and secured, shutting out all sounds from outside, except a vague murmur . . . .”
First hand account by E. F. Kennedy of a dive in the Raddatz submarine on June 26, 1897

The Raddatz Submarine

As the 19th century drew to a close, inventors across the world were hard at work trying to develop a submarine, or more correctly, a “submersible boat.” In 1892, the French government offered a substantial cash award for a successful design of such a vessel. A 28-year-old Oshkosh machinist, Richard Raddatz, was captivated by the thought of a submersible craft and had ideas on how he could make it work. Two local men, William and Otto Konrad, believed Raddatz’s ideas to be practical and financed the construction of a prototype vessel.

On June 26, 1897, a 65 foot long craft slid down the waterways and into the Fox River at Oshkosh. The 26,000-pound craft was made of 5/16” thick steel, pointed at both ends, 4 feet in diameter and had two turrets that rose above the surface of the cylindrical hull. It was able to submerge and travel under water at a speed of about 10 knots, then surface and continue at a speed of 14 knots. It seemed Raddatz had achieved his quest for a submersible warship. His submarine was tested in the Fox River and on Lake Winnebago, and the local newspaper reported in detail on the success it achieved.

The Raddatz submarine used a kerosene engine for running on the surface and an 80-cell electric storage battery for submerged travel. Raddatz would not reveal key parts of his design, including the workings of the ballast tanks, compressor and air purification system. A year later, Raddatz sold his submersible to a Mr. Lyendecker in Milwaukee. The craft was shipped to Milwaukee by rail where it was exhibited at the foot of National Avenue and also tested in Lake Michigan. Raddatz then moved to Philadelphia where, according to some newspaper accounts, he worked with inventor John P. Holland, credited as the originator of the first practical submarine for the U.S. Navy.

There are conflicting versions of the fate of the Raddatz submarine. One version states that after the initial tests in Lake Michigan, the Raddatz submarine rusted away on Jones Island until it was sold for scrap. The second version states that the Raddatz submarine was sold to the Holland Boat Co. in Philadelphia and tested in the Atlantic Ocean.

The museum’s collections contain blue prints for the vessel, as well as photographs and articles.

Marsh Grass

It was possible to make a living from the lakes and marshes in the 1800s and early 1900s. A person could earn money from market hunting, trapping, fishing and cutting marsh hay.

Marsh hay was a general term for the wild sedge grasses that grew in the transitional area around wetlands. The grass was also referred to as “wire” grass. Marsh grass was usually cut in late summer. Farmers used horse drawn machinery, but horses had to wear “swamp shoes” so they would not sink into the spongy earth. The shoes were pieces of thick wood that fit over the hoof and helped support the weight of the horse. Grass was cut by hand if the terrain was too wet for animals. This was hard, sweaty work, plagued by swarms of mosquitoes. The grass was sharp, especially after it dried, and often cut hands and arms. However, the money received from the sale of grass was an important source of income for many people.

The grass was cut and sold to companies that used it to make grass matting, cord and bottle wrappers. Examples of Oshkosh companies that used marsh grass are the Schneider Bottle Wrap Co., the National Grass Twine Co. and Wisconsin Specialties.

The two biggest grass buyers were the Oshkosh Grass Matting Co., located along the Fox River near the Wisconsin Street bridge, and the Waite Carpet Co. on Mt. Vernon Street. Oshkosh Grass Matting Co. contracted with farmers and others to supply them with grass. They made rugs and a type of twine from the tough marsh grass. The company name changed to Deltox in 1924. Around 1919, both companies switched to making products from woven strands of kraft paper.

Wisconsin Specialties used the cord made from marsh grass to manufacture outdoor furniture they called a “Regras chair.” A Regras chair is on display in the museum as part of the Wetlands & Waterways exhibit. The marsh grass cord used in the chair construction resembles wicker.

Harvesting marsh grass, c. 1900. OPM Acc #6661-26	Processing marsh grass, c. 1900. OPM Neg #20176
The finished product: grass rugs, c. 1900. OPM Neg # 9697

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