Destination Drydock: USS The Sullivans, The Museum Ship Years

In this second episode of Destination Drydock, Shane briefly reviews the history of USS The Sullivans after her service, from 1965 to present. There have been many videos about the WWII, Korean, and Cold War service of DD537, but what about after?
Destination Drydock is a series that will uncover some of the behind-the-scenes ideas, thoughts, preparations, and discussions as USS The Sullivans and USS Croaker begin preparations to head to dry dock.

[@Normandy1944]

The Sullivans demonstrates that we all need some shoring up as we get older. Thanks Shane.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Ha! Very true...they begin to leak and smell bad...just like all things that grow older! Thank you!

[@suspiciousminds1750]

@@BuffaloNavalPark I beg your pardon! ;-)

[@robertyoung3992]

@@suspiciousminds1750 she is 82 years old after all

[@18robsmith]

Thanks for the quick gallop through The Sullivans history as a museum ship. Can I stop for a moment to catch my breath please?

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Ha! That was quick! I have to catch my breath too! Thanks as always!

[@DakotaStone408]

I went through Philadelphia Naval Yard in 1975 on my way to the USS Little Rock in Gaeta Italy and then again in 1979 on my return from USS Albany. Both times I would walk around the inactive ships piers on the base and look at all the ships laid up there.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

So interesting, that that is where Little Rock ended up! Can I assume Albany ended up there as well?? I wish I could have been part of those conversations back then, as USS Northampton, CLC-1, was also laid up there. That would have been a fabulous ship to get too!

[@jeffgrier8488]

Thanks for the great presentation Shane, it's much appreciated!

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

You got it, Jeff! More to come!

[@Doctors_TARDIS]

I stayed on board one of the two ships at the Naval Park as a Boy Scout back in summer of 1998. I wish I still had all the pictures I took. I was our troop historian and I took HUNDREDS of pictures of the ships. Sadly the troop no longer exists. And I left all the pictures with the troop. No idea what happened to them all.

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Oh shoot! That is too bad! We'd love to have the digital (or original) images of that time as well. The 90s aren't so well represented in our collections! If you ever come across them, or if you stay in touch with people from the troop, I'm sure you'll try to find out more! Thanks for coming aboard, hope the experience was a good one!

[@panachevitz]

Shane, when the Sullivans gets her hull worked on, are there plans to increase the hull plating thickness around the wind/water line to help give her a longer life until the next drydock?

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thanks for the great question. I don't believe we will make "conscience" changes. The original prints and surveys will tell us the thickness and we will adhere to that. Most was 3/8ths, but there were areas around engineering spaces that were 5/8ths. Of course, this is just my thoughts. I think much of the authenticity would be lost if we were to add thicker plating than original.

[@robertyoung3992]

@@BuffaloNavalPark the thin armor is how the Destroyer got its sobriquet the Tin Can

[@chuckstraub2241]

Has a yard been determined for the dry docking?

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Yes, it's going to be DonJon in Erie, PA. Thanks for watching!

[@frankbodenschatz173]

So just a minor drydocking. The barest of minimums for a disposable Historic ship. And keep up your great videos!

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thanks Frank. 90% of our focus will be on the hull and decking. Other funds will (fingers crossed) be available for some projects that I want to see completed. I've got a nice long list!!

[@2t2crash]

Is it the camera angle or is she still sitting at a slight list to starboard?

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Thanks for watching and your comment. She is currently resting on the bottom of the Buffalo River, which does alter her orientation depending on where along her keel she rests on the riverbed. I just cross decked and looked down the center line. She's possibly at a 1 degree or less list currently.

[@petereinacher2007]

Why is this video in Spanish. Tried changing it a few times. It’s not working

[@BuffaloNavalPark]

Wow...I have no idea! I haven't heard that complaint before about the language. Are you saying my voice is overdubbed in Spanish, or the closed captioning is in Spanish??? I don't have a solve for that, other than continuing to check your settings. See if it happens with other KZbin videos too.