Rescue work is currently underway to salvage a decommissioned World War II naval ship that is partially submerged. in New York waters.
Historic USS Sullivans took on water and partially sank at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, according to the Buffalo Sector of the US Coast Guard.
Officials said that 78-year-the old ship got a hole near the middle of ship by right side leaned into Lake Erie on Thursday.
The US Coast Guard said more than 3 million gallons of water flooded the historic ship.
“This ship will rise againNaval and Military Park President Paul Marcello said, according to Buffalo News. “Failure is not option”.
Governor of New York and Buffalo native Katie Hochul said emergency services are ready to rescue the “symbol of perseverance”, which has served as a museum ship since 1977.
“USS The Sullivans is tribute to our heroes family that lost all five of his sons in Pacific Ocean and 400,000 Americans who died in battle in World War II, Hochul said. “Our government agencies on site and ready to help revive this treasure and symbol of perseverance.”
The Coast Guard claims there have been positive progress in dehydration process on Thursday evening. Rescuers used pumps capable of of removing up of 13,000 gallons of water per minute to minimize further immersion.
According to SaveTheSullivans.org, website dedicated to fundraising efforts to restore the ship, USS The Sullivans suffered in “harsh” buffalo weather and faced in risk of sinking.
Marzello told The Buffalo News last year that the attraction would sink if repairs were not made. made. The Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park has raised $1 million to repair the vessel. in November.
USS The Sullivans is classified as a Fletcher-class destroyer ship named after five brothers – George, Frank, Joe, Matt and Al Sullivans. Quintet was killed in action after a torpedo hit the aircraft carrier “Juno” in 1942
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