USS The Sullivans (DD-537): The Day a Legendary Warship Listed in the Buffalo River

On the brisk morning of April 14, 2022, the city of Buffalo, New York awoke to headlines that chilled the hearts of history buffs, veterans, and locals alike: the USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a revered Fletcher-class destroyer and floating memorial, was listing perilously in the Buffalo River. For those who know her story, the sight was more than the image of an old ship in distress—it was a poignant reminder of sacrifice, resilience, and the tenacity of memory.

A Destroyer Named for Brotherhood

To truly grasp the significance of The Sullivans, you must first know her namesakes: the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan all served together aboard the light cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52) during World War II. Tragically, they all perished when their ship was sunk during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. Their loss etched itself into the national consciousness, inspiring the U.S. Navy to change policy regarding siblings serving on the same vessel and to honor their sacrifice by naming a new destroyer in their memory.

Commissioned in 1943, USS The Sullivans served valiantly in the Pacific, participating in major campaigns such as the battles of Leyte Gulf, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. She survived near misses, kamikaze attacks, and the war itself, earning 11 battle stars before being decommissioned in 1965.

From Battlegrounds to Museum Grounds

After her active service, The Sullivans found a new home as a museum ship in Buffalo, New York, alongside the cruiser USS Little Rock at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. For decades, she stood as a living classroom, a tangible link to the price paid by American families in defense of freedom. Thousands of visitors walked her decks, touched her bulkheads, and learned not just about battles fought, but about the meaning of brotherhood and service.

The Crisis of April 14, 2022

On that fateful April day, the legacy of The Sullivans seemed in jeopardy. After years facing the wear and tear of Buffalo’s harsh winters and fluctuating water levels, the venerable ship began taking on water. A breach in her aging hull led to significant flooding in several compartments, causing the destroyer to list dangerously to her starboard side. Images quickly emerged of the proud old ship, now tilting dramatically, her starboard gunwales nearly awash, and her fate in the balance.

For the community, this was more than a technical mishap. The USS The Sullivans was (and is) a cherished symbol—and the possibility of her sinking struck a sorrowful chord. Veterans, families, and supporters rallied instantly, and local media outlets posted live updates as crews began emergency efforts to stabilize the vessel.

The Rescue Effort

Responding with urgency befitting the ship’s namesakes, local officials, naval park staff, and maritime experts sprang into action. The situation was delicate but not hopeless. Emergency pumps were brought in; volunteers, engineers, and contractors worked around the clock to remove thousands of gallons of water. Divers inspected the hull while naval architects devised plans to patch leaks and prevent further damage.

Financial support flowed in from around the country. A GoFundMe campaign, launched by the naval park, brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in days, underscoring just how much emotional investment Americans have in their naval legacy.

Over the following weeks, painstaking work—often in frigid conditions—succeeded in stabilizing the ship. Crews plugged holes, reinforced hull plating, and carefully righted The Sullivans. By late spring, the destroyer was back upright, floating, and undergoing further restoration.

Why USS The Sullivans Matters

It’s said that naval vessels have souls—that the spirit of their crews linger aboard long after the engines fall silent. If that’s true, then USS The Sullivans is a vessel with a profoundly resilient soul, forged from both the sacrifices of the Sullivan brothers and the dedication of those who have kept her memory afloat.

Today, The Sullivans remains a centerpiece for reflection and education, not just about World War II, but about the American family, sacrifice, and unity. The April 2022 incident was a stark but important reminder of the work required to preserve historical treasures. Rust, water, and time may erode steel, but through vigilance and compassion, communities can keep the lessons and legacies alive.

The Ongoing Mission

Since her stabilization, restoration efforts have continued. Fundraising and hull repairs are ongoing, with a renewed sense of urgency. Experts hope that lessons learned from this near calamity will inspire both better preservation techniques and a new generation of supporters. Given her robust construction and the outpouring of human effort, The Sullivans seems destined to endure—just as her namesakes’ story endures in American memory.

A Living Tribute

Whenever you next visit Buffalo’s waterfront and step aboard USS The Sullivans, remember how narrowly she escaped disaster in 2022, and how much she means to the generations who have served and the families who have been touched by sacrifice. Ships, after all, are not just steel and rivets—they are vessels of memory.

USS The Sullivans isn’t just a museum exhibit. She’s a call to honor the past and protect our future. Above all, she is a living tribute to five brothers—and to the spirit of service that still keeps her afloat.