07/14/2026
A historic departure from Muskegon.
On July 13, 2026, USS Silversides (SS-236) left her longtime home and began her journey across Lake Michigan to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. There, the World War II submarine will enter dry dock for her first full preservation project in more than 50 years.
The work will include cleaning and inspecting the hull, repairing deteriorated steel, and applying protective coatings intended to preserve Silversides for decades to come. She is expected to return home to Muskegon this October.
I was honored to document the day from the air, from the final preparations at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum to the moment this 312-foot piece of American history was towed through the Muskegon Channel and onto open water.
Silversides is more than a ship. She is a living connection to the sailors who served aboard her, the sacrifices of the World War II generation, and the Muskegon community that continues to preserve her story.
Fair winds, Silversides. Muskegon will be waiting for your return.
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