Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptBones
Well, I don't mean to sound at all "disrespectful" to either the Pampanito, Torsk or Requin, but there is one surviving USN WWII Fleet boat that stands above all others still surviving...the Silversides (SS 236), in Muskegon MI. In the water and very much in the same condition as when she "made her name", along with her sisters Wahoo and Trigger. She doesn't get nearly the attention that those other boats get, that are being preserved in more frequently visited big-city tourist traps...er, I mean tourist attractions...of course. 
She is lucky, like Requin, in that she rests in fresh water; but they could all benefit from use of impressed current cathodic protection cables. Unfortunately, that is expensive and also a bit unsightly and could possibly present a hazard to unwary and/or unwitting guests.
If "push comes to shove" someday and any/all of those still afloat must be removed from the water to be preserved, let's hope they are placed in a setting like U-995, U-505 or the Drum (SS 228). At least, they should not be treated as badly as the Batfish (SS 310). |
Your comments were not disrespectful in any way, CaptBones . In fact, you are making the same argument as the rest of us that ships, vessels and submarines with a distinguished past should be preserved. The Submarine Requin I mentioned never fired a weapon in anger during WW2.
Silversides, a Gato class Submarine, in contrast, was highly decorated.
Quote: Awards
Silversides received twelve battle stars for World War II service, and was awarded one Presidential Unit Citation for cumulative action over four patrols. She is officially credited with sinking 23 ships, the third-most of any allied World War II submarine, behind only the USS Tang and USS Tautog, according to JANAC figures. The tonnage of the ships sunk by Silversides amounted to 90,080 tons, ranking among the top five for tonnage sunk by an American submarine during the war. Judged by the Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee (JANAC), Silversides has the most prolific combat record of any still-extant American submarine. The Silversides underwent it's final patrol , number 13 and 14th between March – July 1945
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Silversides_(SS-236)
Like you said, if funds can be raised, these ships should be in enclosures to protect them from the elements. It still bothers many that the Carrier Enterprise ( CV-6 ) was not preserved as well. The " Big E " was the most decorated ship of WW2, earning 20 battle stars, A Presidential Unit Citation and a Navy Unit Commendation. Efforts should be made or maintained to preserve ships ( Subs ) like the Silversides, Batfish, Pampanito, Torsk and other distinguished ships not only to preserve a piece of history but more so as a testament to the courage and sacrifices of the men who crewed them. These ships are veterans too.
Thanks CaptBones for pointing out the distinguished history of the USS Silversides
