Historic Submarine Restoration Reveals a Hidden Connection to a Lost Sister Ship That Sank During World War II

Restorers working on the World War II submarine USS Silversides have made a remarkable discovery: a flood valve that may be the sole remaining part of the USS Trigger, another submarine that sank during the war. The Silversides is currently undergoing a $3.5 million restoration project in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, which includes hull repairs, invasive zebra mussel removal, protective coatings, and a new paint job.

Commissioned in 1942, the 312-foot-long Silversides patrolled the Pacific Ocean, sinking at least 23 enemy vessels before sinking along with 89 crew members in 1944. The Trigger, a sister ship to the Silversides, sank 27 enemy ships and damaged 13 more before meeting its fate in the East China Sea on March 28, 1945. During restoration efforts, experts found a metal component stamped "TRIGGER L-792-228, F [R or B] -47-STBD," which is believed to have been intended for the Trigger but ended up on the Silversides.

Museum leaders plan to preserve the Trigger flood valve, which could be the only surviving part of the ship. Scott Hardin, the museum's vessel curator, expressed excitement over the find, stating it may be the only remaining Trigger submarine part. Rick Connole, whose father served as the Trigger's final commanding officer, believes the parts were swapped during construction, as the two ships were built at the same Mare Island Navy Yard.

The Trigger, which received 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation, had a "long and illustrious" career and was immortalized in a poem by Constantine Guinness.