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One of the most decorated submarines of World War II is finally getting some much-needed restoration work. The U.S.S. silversides It recently arrived at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for its first drydock preservation project in more than 50 years. Over the next three months, workers will inspect the submarine’s structural integrity, clean its hull and apply multiple protective coatings to safeguard the vessel for decades to come.
“We are honored to support the preservation of this historic submarine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Vice President and General Manager Jeffrey Frank told WBAY. “This project requires the type of careful planning, skilled trade work and technical coordination that our team is proud to provide.”
Submarine enthusiasts can tune in from around the world via the underwater museum’s live stream. However, viewers will only see an empty entrance for a while before the real renovation begins.
Inside a living legend: starting the engine of the USS Silversides submarine and stories aboard the “Lucky Boat”
Built in less than a year and launched on August 21, 1941, the silversides it’s a cat-class submarine that measures almost 312 feet long. It is equipped with 10 torpedo tubes, a .50 caliber deck gun, and 40 mm and 20 mm cannons. The ship completed over 90,000 long tons of transport and sank 23 enemy ships during multiple patrols in the Pacific theater during World War II. The United States dismantled the silversides in 1946, and then commissioned her as a training ship for naval reservists in Chicago, Illinois. Following subsequent restoration work, the submarine was finally transported to the Great Lakes Naval Museum and Memorial in 1987, and is now displayed on its own USS silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, Michigan.
“This effort is a testament to what can be accomplished when communities come together to protect and preserve our nation’s history,” added museum executive director Veronica Campbell.
He silversidesThe $3.5 million dry dock preservation is expected to be complete in October before returning to its home across Lake Michigan.
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