It appears two World War II-era warships will live to see another day, thanks to two separate efforts to preserve the vessels. The USS The Sullivans (DD-537) and Kidd (DD-661), both Fletcher-class destroyers, have been out of commission for decades, with military enthusiasts dedicating their time to ensure their continued survival, despite the costs.
With 175 destroyers constructed over the course of the Second World War, the Fletcher class were among the premiere vessels operated by the US Navy. Following the conflict, they were either sold to Allied nations, scrapped or preserved, with three, the USS Cassin Young (DD-793), Kidd and The Sullivans, preserved as museum ships in the United States.
Over the decades, the destroyers have fallen into various states of disrepair. In April 2022, The Sullivans suffered a hull breach and partially sank at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York. The vessel had previously been observed taking on water. Despite undergoing repairs in the immediate aftermath of the sinking, additional work is required to make The Sullivans safe.
Kidd was given a new home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with the destroyer moored in the Mississippi River. She’s currently under the purview of the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission, which allows the public to tour the vessel. Following a drought in 2023, Kidd was grounded for several months.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced $10 million in funding to support preservation efforts for both The Sullivans and the Gato-class submarine USS Croaker (SS-246). The Buffalo and Erie Naval & Military Park will spearhead restoration efforts for both vessels, with the promised government funds covering approximately half of the expected $21 million that’ll be required.
Several other politicians have promised funds for the project. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pledged $7.5 million, Sen. Sean M. Ryan (D-NY) has promised $1 million, and New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes will donate $500,000. Erie County and the city of Buffalo will also give $1 million each.
“These ships symbolize the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of every man and woman who has ever worn a U.S. military uniform,” Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park President and CEO Paul J. Marzello, Sr. told news outlet WKBW 7. “There is no better way to honor them than preserving these ships.
“Today, thanks to the generous support of Governor Hochul, we will begin to execute the plan to make the needed repairs to their hulls and carry out that mission,” he concluded.
If things go according to plan, The Sullivans and Croaker will be moved to dry dock in September 2025, at which point they’ll undergo repairs and be returned by spring ’26.
The restoration efforts being conducted on Kidd are slated to cost around $11 million and will be fully funded by the state of Louisiana. She was floated down to Houma and dry docked, where she’ll undergo major repairs and restoration work over the coming months. This is the first time the destroyer has been dry docked in 60 years.
While basic repair and restoration work will take place, such a repainting the ship, restoring the steward’s quarters and fixing the sewage system, an emphasis will be placed on mending damage to the hull, caused by the vessel sitting in its cradle, which keeps her in place in the Mississippi.
“If we waited another year, she might have sunk right in the cradle,” USS Kidd Veterans Museum Executive Director Parks Stephenson told The Advocate.
Kidd will remain in dry dock until February 2025. She’s slated to return to Baton Rouge that May, so long as water levels in the Mississippi are sufficient.
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It’s believed updates will be provided as the restoration work progresses.