USS Croaker (SSK-246)

(Ships' inspection & walkthrough conducted January 6th, 2001)

Approaching the USS Croaker

It was January 6th, 2001 the dawning days of the new year, a new century and a new millennium. After almost thirty years of dedicated service to our Country, the USS Croaker (SS/SSK-246) has found a place to rest here in Buffalo, NY.
However, the long years of neglect since it's decommissioning in 1971 have taken it's toll on now SIXTY YEAR-OLD boat.
The Croaker currently is resting about 2 miles from where these photos were taken, in its permenent berth at the Naval & Serviceman's Park



The USS Croaker at her temporary place of rest

Involved in the project to inspect the integrity or the boat and to document any deficiencies that might exist in preservation and general cosmetic appearance, a walkthrough inspection was conducted by the Buffalo Base of the SubVets (United States Submarine Veterans, Incorporated).

Here shown below, are images taken of during that walkthrough. You may click on any of the images on this page to view a full-sized image of the pictures that were taken that day. For the sake of simplicity I will keep any comments to a minimum in the hopes that the images themselves will speak for themselves.

The images below were taken topside while working to gain access to the boat




The images below were taken inside the boat during the inspection, while each upper-level compartment was carefully inspected, I only had the chance to take a small number of photos since I too, was part of the inspection team.





Here is a photo of the volunteers who braved the sub-freezing temperatures
and snowy weather to perform the walkthrough inspection.

Return to the Buffalo SubVets Website.