USS THE SULLIVANS (destroyer)
Also known as: Dd-537
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Why it's listed
Berthed at Buffalo, New York, USS The Sullivans (DD-537) is a Fletcher class destroyer built by Bethlehem Steel Company in San Francisco. She was launched in April 1943 and commissioned that September. At 376 feet long, she carried five 5-inch guns, ten torpedo tubes, depth charges and antiaircraft batteries, with a wartime crew of 273. The Fletcher class was the largest and most important group of American destroyers in the war and formed the backbone of the destroyer force. The ship was named for the five Sullivan brothers killed when USS Juneau was lost in November 1942. From 1943 to 1945 she took part in some of the most intense combat in the Pacific and earned nine battle stars. She was modernized in the 1950s, losing one 5-inch gun and the original torpedo banks in favor of six deck-mounted tubes for Mark 44 torpedoes. She remains in good condition and retains much of her World War II integrity. She was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Significance in brief: The ship represents American destroyers that fought Japan in World War II. She belongs to the Fletcher class, the largest and most important U.S. destroyer class of the war. She was named for the five Sullivan brothers lost on USS Juneau in November 1942, earned 9 battle stars, and retains much of her wartime integrity.
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 86000085, listed January 14, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1 Naval Cove Pk., Buffalo |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | January 14, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86000085 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1943-1945 |
| Architect / builder | Bethlehem Steel Company |
| Architectural style | Fletcher class destroyer |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 14, 1986 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and altered; modernized in the 1950s. Interior closed to the public because of asbestos, with restoration and opening planned after removal. Used as a museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.87759, -78.88045 (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 86000085.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7874697
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.