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REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS APPROVE FUNDING FOR USS THE SULLIVANS

Republican Erie County Legislators approved $1 million in funding for the World War II battleship USS The Sullivans at his July 24th session.  The money will go toward the dry docking and repair of the ship anchored by Canalside in downtown Buffalo. The measure was approved 11-0. 

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park is the largest inland Naval Park in the nation and attracts thousands to Buffalo’s waterfront every year.  The Sullivans, along with the USS Little Rock, the submarine USS Croaker, and the PTF-17 are major draws for tourists. Without proper care of the USS The Sullivans, Buffalo would lose a main tourist attraction.

 The USS The Sullivans was commissioned in 1943 and named for five Sullivan brothers who tragically died aboard the USS Juneau in 1942.  The Sullivans has been docked in Buffalo’s harbor since 1979, but Buffalo’s wintry conditions have led to numerous issues, impacting the integrity of the ship. In 2022 The Sullivans nearly sank after experiencing flooding issues. Repairs are necessary to maintain the ship’s structural integrity. The reallocated unutilized funding comes from FMAP payment related to ECMC. 

The City of Buffalo, which is working with the Erie County Naval Park, has brought in a firm that will manage the towing, drydocking and repairs to the vessel. 

 

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