Historic WWII Destroyer Survives Sinking Threat

The ship-preservation community watched fearfully in April as the museum ship USS The Sullivans (DD-537) began sinking at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in western New York.

The trouble began on 13 April, as the historic Fletcher-class destroyer—one of only four ships of that legendary World War II–era class still in existence—began listing to starboard. A serious hull breach had occurred, electrical power was lost, and the vessel was taking on water. At press time, the cause of the breach was still under investigation.