USS SILVERSIDES (SS 236) National Historic Landmark
Also known as: See Also:USS SILVERSIDES
Why it's listed
Silversides is a Gato-class submarine launched at Mare Island Navy Yard in August 1941. She displaced 1,525 tons on the surface, measured about 312 feet overall, and carried a crew of 80. During World War II she completed ten war patrols, sank 23 enemy ships totaling 90,080 tons, and earned four Presidential Unit Citations. One patrol produced the "end around" attack technique later used by other commanders, and another saw an underwater appendectomy performed aboard. After the war she became a naval reserve training vessel in 1962 and was based in Chicago. The nomination ranked her third among submarines by ships sunk and fifth by tonnage, and noted that the higher-ranking boats had been lost or scrapped. It also argued that she was the best surviving example of the American submarine force. In 1987 she was moved to Muskegon, Michigan, where a naval and maritime museum became her caretaker.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Silversides was one of the most successful U.S. submarines of World War II, ranking third in ships sunk and fifth in tonnage, with 23 ships sunk and four Presidential Unit Citations. It also states that she is the most renowned surviving U.S. submarine of the war and that listing would help prevent her being scrapped.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72001566, listed October 18, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S side of Navy Pier, Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | October 18, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001566 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1941 |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 14, 1986 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | At nomination in 1972 she was docked at the Chicago Naval Armory awaiting disposition, having been replaced as a reserve training ship in 1970. In August 1987 she moved to Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon, Michigan, as a temporary berth. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.89086, -87.60817 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72001566.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.