USS Silversides SAFELY ARRIVES IN Sturgeon bay
7/17/26 Update:
A few members of the on board volunteer crew arrived back in Muskegon late Wednesday night, big thanks to the Lake Express Ferry. Not only is the Lake Express Ferry sponsoring all the museum’s ferry needs for the duration of dry dock, they also gave our crew a special tour of the bridge.
7/14/26 Update:
USS Silversides Submarine successfully departed Muskegon, Michigan, sailed smoothly through the night, and arrived safely in Sturgeon Bay on the morning of Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 after a 16 hour trip. With clear weather and lake conditions in both Muskegon and Sturegon Bay, and the tow vessels ready to go, Silversides began her towed journey just after 5:30pm on Monday, July 13th, 2026. She was towed by Basic Towing, Inc. tugs Nickelena, who shares a common engine lineage with Silversides, both built by Fairbanks Morse, and Erika Kobasic, a 1939 Coast Guard cutter who served during WWII. Comments from aboard the vessels include “Tows like a dream” from Silversides, “fast and secure” from Nickelena, and “an uneventful crossing” from Erika Kobasic.
Silversides supporters arrived throughout the day to watch the preparations and send off, some settling in at 10am. The parking lot and pier were packed, and a flotilla formed along the channel, giving our legendary and beloved submarine the send off celebration she deserves. Tiki Boiz was on site, enduring the heat to provide much needed sustenance for our community was we waited for Silversides to get underway. She pulled away from her port for the first time since 2001 to shouts and cheers from the crowd and farewells from the families of the skilled crew on board, including 3 museum crew members and 3 museum volunteers, responsible for monitoring each compartment and gauges for the entirety of the journey. Volunteers from Muskegon Lights partnered in hosting this event, assisting from down the pier at the lighthouse.
USS Silversides will now be in the capable hands of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, where she will undergo essential maintenance and preservation. She is scheduled to return in October, 2026. This complex, multi-phase project is being led by Valkor Energy Services, serving as the Project and Construction Management Team.
Silversides’ Send Off was made possible through the support of DTE Energy, the Muskegon Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office, and the many organizations and volunteers previously recognized. We also extend our sincere thanks to our generous donors, Museum Board members, the City of Muskegon, the USS Silversides Submarine Museum crew, and our dedicated volunteers whose commitment and support helped make this historic event a success.
You Can Support the Legacy & Preserve History!
Donate to Dry Dock USS SILVERSIDES
The wartime submarines of World War II were not created by a single group, but by entire communities. Shipyard workers, engineers, welders, electricians, and designers, many of them women, worked around the clock to build the boats that carried submariners into harm’s way.
That shared effort is part of Silversides’ story.
Today, that same sense of collective responsibility continues. Preserving USS Silversides is a commitment that extends beyond the museum walls and depends on the support of those who value history, service, and sacrifice.
We invite you to stand with us during this pivotal chapter. Your contribution directly supports the dry dock work that will safeguard USS Silversides and ensure her story can be shared with future generations.
Help us Preserve History in honor of those who serve: past, present, and future.
Your donation helps restore USS Silversides Submarine and keeps the legacy of our heroes alive for future generations!
Preserving USS Silversides honors the World War II submariners who served at sea and the Americans on the homefront who supported them. More than a historic vessel, Silversides is a hands-on way for future generations to learn about WWII. Your support helps ensure this important history continues to be shared.
To protect USS Silversides for the future, the submarine will enter dry dock in August 2026. This process allows essential preservation work that cannot be completed while the vessel remains in the water.
Dry Dock Work Includes:
- Hull Cleaning: Removing invasive zebra and quagga mussels and other marine buildup.
- Detailed Inspection: Examining tanks, torpedo doors, and free-flood spaces, along with reviewing the condition of past dry dock repairs.
- Structural Repairs: Stabilizing or replacing deteriorated metal and treating corrosion.
- Protective Coating: Repainting the underwater hull with specialized coatings designed to protect Silversides for the next 15–20 years.
This work is critical to ensuring USS Silversides remains preserved as a lasting symbol of WWII maritime history.
- When will USS Silversides leave?
Silversides is scheduled to depart in July 2026 for planned preservation work.
- Is this permanent?
No. The submarine will return after maintenance is complete, with an expected return in October 2026.
- Why is dry docking necessary?
Dry docking allows crews to clean, inspect, and repair the underwater hull, work that cannot be done while the submarine remains in the water.
- Where will this take place?
The work will be done at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the nearest shipyard able to handle a 312-foot submarine.
- How often is this required?
Submarines like Silversides require dry docking about every 15–20 years to prevent deterioration and avoid emergency repairs.
- What does it cost?
The estimated cost of the dry dock project is approximately $2 million.
- Will the Museum stay open?
Yes. The Museum will remain open and continue to offer exhibits, programs, and special events while Silversides is away.
