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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n06)
White River submarine found
posted: Mar. 23, 2007

By John S. Hague

A little-known bit of Broad Ripple history was recently unearthed when workers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) levee project discovered part of a propeller drive system at 65th and Westfield Boulevard on Tuesday, March 20th. No one with the Indianapolis North Flood Damage Reduction Project knew what had been discovered. "I didn't have the slightest idea what we'd found, but in eight years with the Corps of Engineers, you find a lot of weird stuff out there. I don't think I've personally ever been involved in something like this, though," said Dan Fitzpatrick, a manager with the Broad Ripple Levee Project.

White River submarine found
Quan


But Tobias Saks knows exactly what it was. As a young boy who grew up on Carrollton Ave in the 1930's, Tobey had the rare chance to see first-hand some rather amazing things. "It was a WWII submarine. It was named the USS Springfield, and the USACE guys used to run it up and down the river. You could stand on the bank at Broad Ripple Park and watch them going back and forth." One day one of the engineers stopped to talk to Tobey and his friends. The engineer said the USACE used the river for field testing because it was less conspicuous. "The spy planes would never think to look this far inland for submarine tests."
"Sometimes all you could see was the periscope above the waterline, and sometimes they traveled with the whole top half of it out of the water. It was only about 25 or 30 meters long. I don't know how many people it could hold. There weren't even any guns on it that I ever saw," Saks recalled.
"I don't have the foggiest idea why there would be a submarine in the White River. This is the first I'd heard of it. But it's real: the proof is right there in front of you," exclaimed Barbara Saks, Tobias' wife of 62 years and a former south-side resident, upon examining the propeller system unit.
How fitting that it should be USACE workers who uncovered this piece of Army Corps. of Engineers history. This reporter was lucky to get a look at the submarine parts, since they were quickly moved to Ft. Benjamin Harrison for preservation and storage. "It's a real treat when you get a chance to preserve a piece of history like that. I can't imagine being around back in the 30's to see something like that in operation," said Fitzpatrick. Thanks to Mr. Saks' assistance, another bit of BR history has been identified and secured for generations to come.


Historic submarine? Well, we just have one thing to say:

April Fools!
If there ever was a submarine found in the White River near Broad Ripple, you could bet that the Gazette would be the first paper there to cover the event. However, we felt in spirit of a holiday designed for pranks we would take it upon ourselves to attempt to fool our readers.
Take note of those who may tell you that a submarine was indeed found in the river. You will then be able to tell who reads beyond the front page headlines for their personal news and knowledge. There is nothing more important in the world of journalism than getting out the entire story for those who take the time to read. Happy April Fools' day!


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