Readers comment on the USS The Sullivans, the decommissioned destroyer at one point listing in Buffalo's Inner Harbor.
Letter: USS The Sullivans deserves much better
The recent news of the USS The Sullivans taking on water broke my heart. I have followed the Sullivan story for several years, watching the movie and visiting the ships with my grandchildren. The last time I was at the Liberty Hound restaurant with one of my granddaughters, we stopped to see the great ships and we were shocked to see The Sullivans tucked into a spot between the pier and the USS Little Rock. We noticed that much debris, including small logs, were collecting around the ship and thought that this mighty warship deserved a better fate.
I believe that this ship should never have been moved and placed into this small niche. I am hoping that when it is righted it will be floated back to its original berth so that the majestic strength and beauty can again be in full view of all who visit.
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Letter: Pegulas should donate toward USS The Sullivans
I am writing in response to several opinions expressed regarding public funding of the new Buffalo Bills stadium: and the plight of the USS The Sullivans.
I object to the use of public money for the stadium without a referendum of all the voters. I understand that reality precludes that.
Letter: Money spent on repairs could benefit veterans
It will cost several million dollars to repair the USS The Sullivans. If the five Sullivan brothers were alive, I’m sure that they would rather see that money used to help the living veterans.
There are many veteran organizations that could use the money. Considering that the ship does not have a thick hull, the repairs would be never ending.
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Letter: Naval Park administrators must immediately resign
In early 1977, while I served as counsel to Buffalo Mayor Stan Makowski, Anthony P. LoRusso, who had just returned with his wife Jackie from a visit to North Carolina, phoned me and said that he had seen the Battleship North Carolina in a Naval Park there. LoRusso said that Buffalo should also have a Naval Park. Then, LoRusso located two ships that were available for a Naval Park in Buffalo: The Sullivans and the Little Rock.
Letter: How about trying a different fix for the USS The Sullivans?
The recent dilemma faced by the USS The Sullivans has garnered much attention and yet very little seems to be looking forward to what the future will bring. Patching holes with marine-grade epoxy seems to be short sighted. It must follow that new holes will appear next to the epoxy until the entire hull is just epoxy. Why has there not been some forward thinking. Could a cofferdam offer an alternative? Would it not be possible to install one around one or all the ships at that location and fill the dam with something like concrete that would replace the water and stabilize them forever? Just a thought from an uninformed onlooker.
