BUFFALO, N.Y. — We all remember the images of the USS The Sullivans slowly sinking, while we all waited on baited breath as crews worked endlessly to pump out what would end up being 1 million gallons of water from the ship. Now, the ship is righted, floating tall, and sharing her stories with those who climb aboard.
But, what does the future hold for the destroyer and the other ships at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Erie Military Park?
It’s a surreal feeling boarding the USS The Sullivans. But it’s also met with happiness and excitement.
“It’s been a very emotional summer,” Shane Stephenson, director of Museum Collections at Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, said.
An emotional summer to say the least, especially for Stephenson, who has worked for years to maintain the ship's collection of artifacts. At stake was not only a historic WII Fletcher-class destroyer, but the story she tells.
“She represents the sacrifice of families, for all Gold Star families,” Stephenson said.
Not just her namesake, which honors the five Sullivan brothers lost at once. Over the past few months, in what Stephenson calls the ‘Triage Center’ on the Little Rock, he and a conservator have been saving any artifacts that had water damage. He has kept the public updated on the entire process on the Naval Park’s YouTube page.
“So right now, she’s been cleaned and we continue to dehumidify,” Stephenson said.
They also ensured no mold is growing after its lower levels filled with water. In total, 58 holes were plugged in The Sullivans' hull, as well as a four-foot gash.
“That was sealed with concrete in an odd sort of way,” Stephenson said.
Temporary fixes to keep her afloat. But now it’s time to look ahead.
“Now we are in the process of hiring a Naval architect, and that Naval architect will be on board for the first week of October,” Paul Marzello, president and CEO of Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park said.
Marzello says the architect will take a look at the hulls of the other two ships floating at the park, The USS Little Rock and The USS Croaker. They will determine if there is residual oils in those ships and if dry docking is the best option for The Sullivans.
“The nearest dry dock is in Erie, Pennsylvania, and that’s about a 90 mile drive,” Marzello explained.
The Sullivans would need to be tugged, about 18 hours to get there. Marzello says she’d be there for about two months for repair. As for the rest of the ships, well there are a few options on the table. The first is a cofferdam.
“It’s a wall that is built all around, and envelops the ships,” Marzello explained. “That would allow you to drain the water out of this tub like creation.”
Repairs would be done right at the Naval Park. Marzello says The Sullivans is the top priority, followed by the Croaker and then Little Rock. The price tag will be in the millions. But in the end, the effort will be priceless.
“What the incident created for us, was an awareness that these ships are fragile, they are 80-years-old,” Marzello said. “They were meant to last 20 to 25 years.”
Once she’s secure, Stephenson has special plans to take us back in time.
“I would like to bring back the stories of the ships themselves,” Stephenson said. “Bring back spaces to show, so when a visitor comes on board, it’s like the crew just left.”
The main deck, the bow, the 01 and 02 level are open on The Sullivans. The interior and beneath will reopen next season. Also, thankfully, the artifacts on the ship provided by the Sullivan family were untouched by the water. It has all been removed and will stay off the ship. Cataloging is now underway.