After deliberation by the staff and Board of Directors, the USS Silversides Submarine Museum recently made the decision to de-accession the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter McLane from the museum’s permanent collection.
The vessel, which had been closed to the public since this spring due to ongoing maintenance concerns, was towed away with the support of dedicated community partners. After nearly a century of service in both salt and fresh water, the McLane’s condition had deteriorated to the point of being inaccessible for public touring and beyond the scope of feasible preservation.
Despite efforts to explore alternative preservation options, the museum ultimately determined that continued stewardship of the McLane was no longer sustainable. With the cold season approaching, the combination of time, weather, and structural decline made timely action necessary to ensure the safety of the vessel and the surrounding environment.
All historical artifacts and interpretive materials housed aboard the McLane were removed and preserved to ensure their continued educational and historical value. These artifacts will now be part of the broader collection at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum and shared with partner organizations who answered the call to preserve its memory: the USS Slater WWII Destroyer Escort (Albany, NY), the USS Croaker WWII US Submarine and USS The Sullivan’s WWII Destroyer (Buffalo Naval Park, Buffalo, NY), and the Buckley Old Engine Club (Buckley, MI).
“The McLane had been a symbol of service and strength for decades,” said Veronica Campbell, Executive Director of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum, in the release. “Though it was difficult to say goodbye, we were incredibly grateful to our community partners...(who) helped us navigate this transition with dignity and respect.”
Commissioned in 1927, the USCGC McLane served with distinction through multiple eras of Coast Guard history. Its presence at the museum since 1993 offered visitors a rare glimpse into life aboard a patrol vessel and played a vital role in advancing the museum’s mission to honor military service and educate future generations through immersive, hands-on experiences.
The USS Silversides remains committed to preserving maritime history and honoring the legacy of those who served. The departure of the McLane marked the end of an era, but also opened the door for new opportunities to expand and enhance the museum’s exhibits and educational programming, and to focus on the major preservation and fundraising efforts necessary to support the USS Silversides Submarine restoration over the next few years.
