Bilge Snipes at Work: USS The Sullivans, Fletcher Class Destroyer

[@markmark2080]

This is what was known as the 'sounding and security watch', something us electricians shared with the 'shipfitters', back in the day (1960s) when we were on shore power and didn't have switchboard watches to stand down in the engine room...I'm glad I never had to do any bilge diving, on one ship I was on there was this guy we called 'pigpen' who seemed to thrive on it...

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Ah yes...it takes a special breed to climb down into all those holds, voids, and bilge areas. Thanks for sharing your experiences mark mark! This video was when we first identified that we had a larger issue...and with COVID, and less staff, we weren't able to do the type of surveying we usually do during the winter months. Thanks for watching and your support!

[@Privat2840]

The port side list is nothing like the starboard list she has today (4-15-2022)

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Very true Michael. What we learned is that when she was decommissioned, the Navy cut many pipes at the union joints. So while we would get flooding in one space, it would actually be coming from another part of the ship via those pipes. Thanks for watching. We'll save her yet!

[@Cetok01]

Might want to keep a can of Flex Seal on hand as a quick patch for those small active leaks.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thank you! We've been in contact with Flex Seal, so we'll see if we get some of their products on donation. The water coming in does so at a pretty high rate of pressure. The tape may be better than the putty. Thanks!

[@Cetok01]

@@BuffaloNavalPark Sorry, I meant to say Flex Paste. It's applied with a trowel or putty knife and goes on much thicker and tackier than the spray version. It supposedly can also be applied underwater.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

@@Cetok01 Thanks! We did try the Flex Paste, but for that particular hole, it was a five foot stream coming in the size of a nickel, and when we applied it, the stream just blew through the paste. We have have better luck where there isn't a full blown hole yet, and it's just seeping in.

[@RamSkirata]

Its amazing how controlled and calm he is. Massive respect! Very objective. If itd be "my" ship, Id be going crazy running around waving my arms in the air shouting for help. :D

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Haha! Thank you. While we took on 14,000 gallons of water, we understand that we have a week or so to get her under control. If a steel plate gave way - then our video would show us running around flailing our arms. Thankfully, all of our holes are about the size of a nickel. With Fletcher Class Destroyers, they're about 2,100 tons. If we didn't do the work required she would sink, but she's patching up nicely now. We will be releasing another video Friday to show some of the work being done. Thanks!

[@RamSkirata]

@@BuffaloNavalPark lookinf forward to that ! Ive been on Cassin Young but unfortunatly I dont remember much. Id love to come visit some day - a litte hard form across the pond.

[@brianpartlow5530]

Right? I would call everyone I knew to show up with a bucket! Buffalo used to have ship building companies back in the day. What these ships need is to get into a dry dock and get their hulls repaired! They should get a more permanent fix.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

@@brianpartlow5530 Thanks again! To dry dock her would cost about $4 million, as we would have to tow her to Erie PA, the closest drydock that is large enough to accommodate her. We would first have to move USS LIttle Rock, and that would cost more money. This two - part epoxy we've talked about is about a million and it can be painted on right in the water. We're told it will seal her for about 25 years.

[@brianpartlow5530]

@@BuffaloNavalPark expensive! Will the Navy help you out? Your park and exhibits have recruited sailors for them over the years. The Navy should help out their old ships, you guys can only raise so much money. There are a bunch of retired ships that need help. The USS Ling, USS Texas and others.

[@JoshuaTootell]

It was hard work keeping a 1970's USCG WHEC afloat 15 years ago with a full crew, let alone a Fletcher on display.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Joshua, we're doing our best after the incident to make sure this never happens again. Thanks for watching!

[@01AceAlpha]

Bring her to Port Weller. They did a good job with HMCS Haida.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

We have certainly discussed that! We've also looked at DonJon in Erie PA. We don't yet know the requirements, if there are any - though we'e heard - of bringing an American warship to a Canadian dry dock. Thanks for watching!

[@phil4977]

She is going down right now

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Yes, she is Phil. But, hopefully you've been catching the updates! We won't lose her now!

[@brianpartlow5530]

Is the gift shop open? I would like to bring the kids there and let them pick something out. I know shopping there gives money to the ships too. The online store has clothes and other souvenirs but I remember the actual store had toys and stuff for kids.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Brian, the gift shop will be open on 1 May when we open for the season! Thanks for your continued support, and we'll see you down here this season. I'm sure everyone in your family, and friends are itching to get out in the nice weather.

[@brianpartlow5530]

@@BuffaloNavalPark I live paycheck to paycheck or I would be sending tons of money. I love these old ships! I did go on your web page and fill out the volunteer info. My son saw what I was doing and did it too. He's only 13! He fell in love with the ships over the years especially when we attended the commissioning of the new Little Rock.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

@@brianpartlow5530 Please feel free to stay in touch with us! We're always looking for volunteers to help. When the ships were in service, combined between our three floating vessels there was about 1,600 men to help keep them ship-shape...now we have five...ultimately, a losing battle if it wasn't for our volunteers. Next time you visit please feel free to reach out to the maintenance staff too, they're all pretty engaging and can give you more information! Thanks to you and your son...any help is appreciated!

[@snorunnermodified9462]

Why does the upper decks where tourist visit look so perfect but below deck is all rusted, rotting and in disrepair. We know water creates rust expands when frozen and stressing the hull which already seems compromised. To me I think this ship should have been drydocked for repair a long time ago. This failure seems expected.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thanks for your comment! A lot of times, the bi-metallic welds on the 01 and 02 levels rust through, and therefore water, snowmelt, et cetera drain down through the deckhouses to the main deck. We've purchased some rubber sealant for all of our 02 levels on Sullivans and will also be focusing this rubber sealant on the 05, 04, 03, 02, and 01 levels of Little Rock...don't worry though - it's isn't Flex Seal! Thanks and hope that helps!

[@snorunnermodified9462]

@@BuffaloNavalPark I hope all works out and ship is repaired. After watching several other videos where the hull was shown leaking and some compartments flooded and or frozen well over a year ago would have prioritized the urgency to address sooner. Good Luck.

[@wayneyd2]

Did someone open the seacoast?

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

It would be the Buffalo River, in all her glory...doing what water does after having her hull in the water for 60 years.

[@harrywehrman5308]

Once they get the water out, it needs to be taken out of the water and put on blocks on the shore

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Harry, that was discussed in earnest about four years ago. Speaking to the experts, given the condition of the hull back then, we were told that she may not even be able to withstand her own weight without the buoyancy. We're exploring all options currently! Appreciate your comment!

[@michaelyounger4497]

Guys, button her up..any free water inside the hull is bad..ignoring it is worse since you give the water more surface area to corrode. Since you are patching her up with bubblegum and prayers at least dog the hatches and close the access hatches to localize flooding since watertightness is suspect at best. This will take 15 minutes at opening and closing time..its especially important during winter off season..even you admit you hadn't been aboard for a month.. As for the holes in the fantail to flood err "ballest" down the stern...plug them, pump her dry and try adding some bags of sand or gravel..its cheap, effective and can be moved or removed as needed..

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thanks for watching, Michael. That video was filmed and uploaded almost two years ago. We've given updates since that time with many of the things mentioned in your comments. It was made in Feb, 2021 - we couldn't get on her because our brows leading to the quarterdeck and to the stern were broken, and we only had two staff - Shane and Allen, to watch the ships during the winter months. Check back for more updates! Thanks!

[@jimmybritt9537]

11:27 a simple wooden plug would have stopped that leak dead in its tracks 🇺🇸

[@Elisabeta88]

There is a Gofund me page started hopefully people will help and donate some, I love these ships and love Buffalo NY. I hope and pray that the repairs can be done, and that the ships can stay in Buffalo for future generations can see and enjoy it.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thank you for your support! Appreciate your passion for our DD537! Check our other videos for updates on the work being done. We appreciate you posting about this!

[@chaisebowers9019]

Got a link to the GoFundMe?

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

@@Elisabeta88 Thanks for your contributions. Sure, you can go to: savethesullivans.org or buy items in our gift shop, or when she is on a right even keel, if you're interested you can spend a day helping us out! Any bit helps...and we appreciate it!

[@frankmarcia5956]

get the bilge pumps going.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

We've been working diligently, Frank. We're happy to report that most of the water is pumped out, and we've plugged five holes so far! She is now on an even keel, and when the water warms up we'll be able to get our diver in the water to do some more patching and plugging. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbockelie3899]

" Git some swabs on dat job !!!." Popeye the Sailor man. This is a historic ship that needs to be saved !!.

[@richarderion4611]

I wonder if they have a wiz bang?

[@mikehillier6441]

Another page, NoZoupForYou, was telling the story of your fight. I've made a small contribution and hope others do too!

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thanks for your contribution, Mike. Every donation is helping us get closer to being able paint the old girl in a two-part epoxy that's expected to protect her for 25 - 30 years! Hope you enjoy the videos!

[@jeffreymagyar3990]

I bet your second guessing letting that area by the reefers go now that is sinking

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Last summer we double checked that area, and if you want our newer Volunteers in the Reefer Deck video, you'll see that bilge space is mostly dry. I'm wishing we would have the money to dry dock her immediately. And that we had the money 10 years ago! Thanks for watching!

[@oldtugs]

You can remove my comments but you can't change the fact that incompetence sunk the Sullivans. This video is a perfect example of the ignorance and incompetence of the librarian in charge and his amateur cohorts. It is amazing that Shane has not been fired for his role in the sinking. These lame videos clearly show the risk of allowing these people to have any role in the preservation of the ships.

[@jasondadarria]

You had one job...

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Times three, with roughly 1700 feet in length between them!

[@Plaguewielder88]

You have a leaking ship with a pretty fragile hull and you claim you couldn't get on the ship FOR A MONTH? And let it set sit with a list for nearly a week? It's less then five feet from the edge of the pier, you guys seriously couldnt figure out how to get on the ship that entire time? I've been going to the Naval Park for my entire life and have always enjoyed seeing the ships and I do appreciate the work you guys do there, however after seeing the ship sink at the mooring like she did, it's hard not to watch these videos now and question overall attitude and seriousness the staff put into maintaining these ships.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Rob - Thanks for your comments. Yes, last year our brows broke due to the weather in winter 2021. It was going to cost $18,000 to repair both of them, money we weren't able to spend at the time. Not much else to report on that, and while we weren't five feet from the pier...more like 10 - 12, there is really no way of getting on board in the winter in a makeshift manner. Thanks for your past support, and love to have you as a volunteer when she is ready!