What is the "Save the Sullivans" campaign and what happened to the ship?

The "Save the Sullivans" campaign was an effort to save the USS The Sullivans, a World War Two ship, which was almost lost due to damage caused by waves, ice, and storm surge at the Buffalo Naval and Military Park. The ship was built with a very thin hull and was designed to be expendable under combat conditions. After weeks of work to pump out water, patch holes, and other methods, the ship survived. The campaign was successful due to a combined effort and public and private support.

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the ship marked its 80th anniversary with a special ceremony featuring the namesake family of the ship. Kelcie Loughren, the great-granddaughter of fallen World War Two sailor Albert Sullivan, who perished with his four brothers in 1942 and inspired the ship's name, re-christened the ship. The ceremony re-created what her great, great grandmother did as the actual sponsor of the ship in 1943.

The future preservation plan for the ship involves repairing the hull, which is expected to take upwards of seven months. There has been talk of putting The Sullivans in a drydock at a shipyard in Erie or Cleveland. A hired naval surveyor is finishing his report, and more details on the ship's repair plan should be available in June, according to Buffalo Naval and Military Park President and CEO Paul Marzello.

The Made In America Store is a proud wholesaler for the Naval Park's gift shop, offering 100% U.S.A. made souvenirs.