USS CROAKER (submarine)
Also known as: Ss 246
Why it's listed
USS Croaker is a steel-hulled Gato class diesel submarine, now a museum ship moored at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park at the mouth of the Buffalo River. Built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, she was launched in December 1943 and commissioned in April 1944. On her first patrol she sank the Japanese cruiser Nagara, and she went on to complete five Pacific patrols, earning three Battle Stars and a Naval Unit Commendation. Decommissioned in 1953, she was converted to a hunter-killer submarine with a streamlined sail, long-range bow sonar and quieter machinery. She served the Navy until 1968, then trained reservists, and ended her naval career in 1971. Only six Gato class boats survive, and only one other, USS Cavalla, survives of those converted to SSK. Croaker retains her engines, torpedo rooms and control spaces, with only reversible changes such as access stairs and Plexiglas screens added for visitors. Volunteers have restored her since 1988.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Croaker is a rare surviving diesel submarine, one of only six surviving Gato class boats. She retains integrity from her WWII construction and her 1953 Cold War conversion. Her combat record in the Pacific and later SSK service illustrate submarine propulsion, armament and crew accommodations of the period.
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 08000863, listed September 12, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | September 12, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000863 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1943-1953 |
| Architect / builder | Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT, builder. |
| Architectural style | OTHER / submarine |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Open as a museum ship in Buffalo since 1988, with reversible alterations for public exhibition and volunteer-led restoration. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.88026, -78.88187 (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 08000863.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2207722
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.