BUFFALO (WBEN) - In what's been a months-long process leading up to this point, work to repair the hull of the famous USS The Sullivans began Wednesday morning at the Erie County Naval & Military Park.
"We're out here today for men and women who dedicated their lives for our freedom, and that should never be forgotten," said prominent downtown developer Doug Jemal, who led much of the fundraising effort for the necessary repairs. "We're very, very honored to have that in Buffalo right at our Canalside."
In this stage of the repairs, according to Park President and CEO Paul Marzello, divers will go below the surface to scrape off all the zebra muscles that often cover vessels in the Great Lakes. After the scraping is done, they're going to apply a two-part Apoxy coating for the underside of the Sullivans.
Marzello said the coating should provide stability to the hull for another 25 years.
Back in February, Marzello went to the media due to concerns that the ship would sink if the proper repairs couldn't be made.
"We couldn't keep up with pumping the water out - there was more coming in than we could pump out," he said. "We went to the community for some help, and we were very grateful for some of the people who stepped up..."
World War II Veteran John Long said he was very concerned once he found out that the ship wouldn't be viable for much longer with out repairs, and he's grateful that the community went forward to preserve it.
"This park, as I have said, is the heart and soul of all the veterans in Western New York," said Long. "I keep reminding people that 400,000 young guys never came back home, but for some reason, God spared my life."
Marzello is hopeful the entire process takes about four months, but he noted that's a tentative timetable, and he wouldn't be surprised if repairs carry on into next spring.
