BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A decommissioned World War II-era destroyer docked near downtown Buffalo in New York was taking on water and listing perilously on Thursday.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Crews were working to keep the USS The Sullivans from sinking at its berth at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, where it had been open for tours.
“We’ve got a committed group down here. We’re not going to give up the ship and failure is not an option,” said park president Paul Marzello.
Marzello said they believe there was a breach on the right side of the hull Wednesday night. He said crews trying to stabilize the 79-year-old vessel are pumping out up to 13,000 gallons (49,210 liters) a minute.
“I think we’ve seen the worst, but I don’t know,” he said.
The USS The Sullivans, a National Historic Landmark, was named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. The brothers were killed in action when the USS Juneau was sunk by the Japanese in the South Pacific during World War II.
More than $1 million was raised last year to repair the ship’s breached hull. Crews paused work over the winter and were to resume repairs Monday, Marzello said.
The USS The Sullivans is one of four decommissioned Naval vessels at the park.
I hope they can save the ship. The Russians couldn’t save the pride of their fleet which sunk today after sustaining damage from a Ukrainian designed and built missile Of course the Russians don’t credit the Ukrainians with the sinking..
SOS — Save our Ship. The story of the Sullivans is one of sacrifice and patriotism. This ship must be saved.
The film Saving Privte Ryan by Shlomo Spielberg is loosely based on the deaths of the 5 Sullivan brothers in WW2, killed in action in the Pacific.
‘The brothers were killed in action when the USS Juneau was sunk by the Japanese in the South Pacific during World War II’
Why would five brothers all be on the same ship during wartime in enemy seas ?
Wouldn’t common sense dictate to place five brothers on at least five different ships so the chances of all five losing their lives, fighting for their country, are greatly diminished ? Not sure of all the details and circumstances surrounding this tragedy but just asking.