Port of La Pallice, mid-1950s (Source: Miguel Duncan) This is a close up of the Basin, 1956. A 12-14 foot tide requires the ships to be locked in and out. The structure just to the rear of the basin are the World War II German constructed submarine pens. We were never able to damage or pierce them during the war. I keep my fire boat and some barges in there now. La Pallice serviced the biggest pack of German subs which preyed on US & Allied shipping along the Atlantic coast.