The USS Silversides was awarded 12 battle stars for its service in World War II.
The boat is one of only a few surviving Gato-class submarines in the United States.
The USCGC McLane on-site once participated in the capture of a German U-boat in the Pacific during WWII.
The Silversides' original engines were restored and can still be started for demonstrations.
The submarine has its own museum-curated library containing thousands of documents related to naval history.
It is docked at the site of the former Muskegon Coast Guard station.
The interior of the submarine retains original World War II-era bunks and controls.
The USS Silversides Submarine Museum houses the Gato-class submarine USS Silversides (SS-236), one of the most successful combat vessels of World War II. The museum is located in Muskegon, Michigan, on the channel connecting Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. The submarine remains in original, near-operational condition, allowing visitors to walk through the engine room, torpedo rooms, and command center. The site also features the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era Coast Guard cutter, and the WM. A. Kavanaugh maritime museum building. The submarine is credited with sinking 23 Japanese ships during its service. The facility serves as a National Historic Landmark. Exhibits detail the daily life and combat experiences of submariners during the Pacific theater. The museum grounds include outdoor displays of various naval artifacts and weaponry.
The elevated boardwalk area provides a panoramic view of the entire length of the submarine docked against the water.
Wear flat, rubber-soled shoes to safely navigate the steep, narrow ladders and tight hatches inside the submarine.
Plan your visit to coincide with guided tours to hear specific technical details about the submarine's operations.
Check the museum's schedule for special events, such as overnight encampments or holiday-specific commemorations.
Do not attempt to enter the submarine if you have limited mobility, as the original narrow hatches and vertical ladders are physically demanding.
Operations often transition to a reduced schedule in the late autumn and winter months; submarine interior tours may be suspended in extreme winter weather.
Visitors must be able to climb steep vertical ladders and navigate narrow circular hatches to access the submarine interior.
