The USS Silversides, a World War II submarine that has served as a museum in Muskegon for decades, is expected to arrive back in Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 31, after a months-long conservation effort in Wisconsin.

“The current plan (as of 10/30/26) is for USS Silversides to depart Sturgeon Bay today, Friday, October 30th, between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM (Central Time), to she begin her journey back to Muskegon,” the USS Silversides Museum announced on Facebook.

The vessel will be towed across Lake Michigan and is expected to arrive between 8 a.m. and noon Saturday, Oct. 31. Timing will depend on conditions on the lake, the museum said.

“We’ll have a better idea of her arrival time once the tow is underway and will attempt to share when she’s an hour away. Please read our pinned post for important day of arrival information!” the museum added.

The vessel was towed to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in July to undergo restoration work intended to keep it seaworthy for another 15-20 years. The museum said this is the first time the vessel has been in dry dock since July 1954.

“USS Silversides is more than a historic artifact — she is a powerful, living connection to the men who served and the communities that supported them,” said Veronica Campbell, executive director of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. “This project represents our commitment to preserving that legacy with care and integrity. By taking action now, we are ensuring that future generations can continue to experience her story firsthand.”

Here’s what to expect this weekend.

What to expect when the USS Silversides returns

Key points for the Oct. 31 return:

• The museum parking lot will be closed to the public. Public parking will be available at Bodocks and along the beach.
• Admission to the museum will be free to the public all day.
• Barriers will be in place for safety.
• The submarine will first pass by the museum, then head into Muskegon Lake to turn around before returning to be docked.
• Although the submarine will be moored, she will not be open to the public until Saturday, Nov. 7. “Museum staff need time to manage utilities and complete a thorough cleaning before welcoming visitors aboard,” the announcement said.

Why was the USS Silversides in Wisconsin?

The USS Silversides Submarine Museum earlier this year announced the major dry dock preservation project for the USS Silversides (SS-236), one of the most decorated submarines of World War II.

The $3.5 million project was funded by a $750,000 grant through the Save America’s Treasures Grant Program, administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, as well as multiple donors and sponsors.

The multi-phase project is being led by Valkor Energy Services, serving as the project and construction management team.

How did the Silversides get to Wisconsin? Does it still have working engines?

The submarine does not move under its own power. It was towed across Lake Michigan by Basic Towing, of Escanaba, Michigan, a marine transportation provider specializing in Great Lakes towing operations, the museum explained.

USS Silversides departed Muskegon on July 13, sailed smoothly through the night, and arrived safely in Sturgeon Bay on the morning of July 14, 2026, after a 16-hour trip, the museum said.

What did the USS Silversides do during WWII?

The Gato-class submarine was commissioned in Dec. 15, 1941, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7.

The vessel survived 14 wartime patrols, earned 12 battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. She was credited with sinking 23 enemy vessels totaling more than 90,000 tons of shipping.

The boat was decommissioned in 1946, and later served as a training vessel in Chicago. In 1987, the sub moved to Muskegon.

In 1972 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1986 it was named a National Historic Landmark.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: USS Silversides set to head home. When to see WWII sub in Muskegon

Reporting by Dan Basso, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal

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