Protecting historic ships like The Sullivans across United States

When it comes to protecting historic ships like The Sullivans across United States, one thing is for sure: it will be expensive.
They survived war on the high seas but Mother Nature can really hurt them. A smaller warship like the The Sullivans with its three-eighths of an inch thin hull can be affected not just by the river ice, but more-so wind-whipped waves off Lake Erie.
We spoke today with some experts with the Historic Naval Ships Association for their perspectives.
The USS Kidd, a sister ship to USS The Sullivans as a World War II Fletcher class destroyer, is actually better protected in a cradle like dry dock. It's located in the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and adjustable because the river there goes up and down by 40 feet.

[fredblogs]

🇬🇧 I hope something can be done to save this piece of history and keep this tribute to the Sullivans afloat .

[ivanw]

Proud to know the Sullivan is the sister ship to our beloved Kidd here in Baton Rouge.

[ablackghostmyguy]

My God I can't imagine if the ship were to capsize how bad it would be in such a small space. This truly is awful such a ship with a rich history slowing sinking beneath the waves let alone the name sake of the ship the Sullivan Brothers

[trevorhart]

From the UK. I understand that the unusual name, "The Sullivans" is in honour of 3 dead members of the same family who died serving in WW2 because a current USN Arleigh Burke destroyer graciously accompanied HMS Queen Elizabeth on her Summer/Autumn Cruise last year. We hope that the US are able to save this important vessel because of the sacrifices it represents.

[stevenamoison]

This ship has meaning, the Sullivans sons all died, This can never happen again! this ship must be saved

[brucelytle]

When I was on the DD-821 (a couple of years younger than The Sullivans) in 1973, we had to replace a 20x30' piece of hull plating that had rotted through, to the point sunlight was streaming in! (Starboard side, after engine room)
BTW, it was 1/4" plate, just (4-6") above the waterline.
I crossed The Sullivans several times during that period, scrounging for parts.
You were not allowed to take parts off The Sullivans!
Rumor was, the brothers were on board, strange things would happen.

[billmurray]

I remember The Sullivans when it was satationed in Newport, R.I. back in the 1960's. I was on the Davis at that time. Sullivans is a special ship named after the best the Navy ever had...The Sullivan Bros.

[tonytrotta]

In 1977, she and cruiser USS Little Rock (CG-4) were processed for donation to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York. The ship now serves as a memorial.
 Looks like a lot of money was used for New structures were added including a new museum, and the new Liberty Hound restaurant opened in the summer of 2012.

[deadmeat_]

too bad the Bills need a new stadium, which we all know is more important, or this could be fixed easily by the state gov

[ianwalton]

Well all this news coverage should raise some funds.

[Justsomeoneyoucouldhaveknown]

This is a PERFECT analogy for how your country treats its vets.

Disgraceful.

[raynus]

Looks like an excellent museum - noticed a McDonnell F-101B interceptor on display as well. Hope this can be remedied & flood damage addressed.

[scottwhite]

Please save this historical ship it is a Huge part of our history it Represents the unselfish sacrifice of our families to defend the country the home the love of our way of life.

[richhickman]

Was in Mothballs at the Phila Naval Base years ago. Had a reputation there of being haunted.

[MilePost]

The hull should have had routine inspections to make sure no leaks.

[chrismaverick]

Museum ships are a touchy thing as they get older. Throughout the world you have all manner of preservation methods going on and none of them are perfect. For larger ships it is often more structurally sound to keep them in water for support, as permanent concrete berths will corrode the steel almost worse than water. When putting a salt-water ship in fresh water storage you have to be careful to change out the 'zincs' for ones suited for fresh water as the electrolytic reactions are different than saltwater and traditional zincs will actually not work and cause more damage to the hull., something the USS Cod dealt with for the first part of its retirement.
Like any museum, a lot of money is needed for upkeep and updates, and unfortunately there isn't a lot of federal money going out for museum ships as they are not as popular as "The Arts". I think the hosting cities have a large obligation to help the preservation societies and should be more responsible in managing benefits and other income methods to help them out. These aren't just a budget item: They are history and tourism in one, just like a brick and mortar museum.

[luvr]

A thin hull of mild steel in the water for 80 years, I fear when they go to patch her they'll find most of the hull is made of paint and hope.

[Bazerkly]

Interesting how NOBODY mention WHO the Sullivan Brother's were! We should be tallkng about the USS Juneau! 🤨

[marknoonanjr]

It’s called a list. She’s Listing to Starboard.

[stex]

I believe that we, in Texas, can feel your pain. We have a similar issue we have been fighting for decades with our hero ship. She is slightly older and served in WWI and WWII.




Best of luck and "Don't give up the ship!"