The USS New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned in 1991, renowned as “Big J,” is set to undergo her first refurbishment in over thirty years.
This $10 million endeavor is scheduled for completion by Memorial Day to coincide with peak tourist season, ensuring the storied vessel can continue sharing her impressive military history with future generations.
Commissioned at the height of World War II, the USS New Jersey earned her reputation as a formidable force in the Pacific Theater, seeing action in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as serving as a deterrence during the Cold War.
Her remarkable service record includes more battle stars than any other Iowa-class ship, earning her 19 Battle and Campaign stars, which is a testament to her enduring legacy in naval warfare.
She played pivotal roles in significant historical events, from the invasions in the Pacific during World War II to bombarding coastal targets in the Korean War with her massive 16-inch guns.
In Vietnam, she entered as the only active battleship in the world, her massive firepower providing invaluable support to U.S. forces.
After her third decommission, “Big J” transitioned into a museum ship, a silent guardian of American naval prowess anchored at the Camden Waterfront.
The forthcoming restoration at the Philadelphia Navy Yard—her birthplace—will allow for essential maintenance and repair to preserve her structure.
“It’s going back to Berth 3 because Berth 3 is big enough to hold it,” Marshall Spevak, the interim chief executive officer of the Homeport Alliance, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The bottom of “Big J” will undergo routine maintenance, repairs, and repainting for the first time in 32 years. U.S. Navy maintenance guidelines for inactive ships call for dry-docking every 20 years. It is no small affair as the vessel is larger than the length of two football fields.
It’s about honoring the vessel’s stature as a symbol of American naval power and her role in shaping modern history.
“The ship needs to be inspected, repainted, updated, and brought back home to continue the mission,” added Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen, who described himself as “a huge supporter” of Big J. “That ship means so much to so many people, and it brings such value to the city, especially for our youth programs.”
The dry-docking will be a meticulous process, including the inspection of all 1,200 zinc nodes that protect the hull from corrosion, with likely half needing replacement.
Despite this challenging procedure, it’s a crucial investment in keeping the battleship afloat.
With the work slated to begin in the spring, anticipation builds for the historic move—a tactical maneuver to preserve the essence of a bygone era of naval warfare and showcase “Big J’s” indomitable spirit.
Relevant articles:
– Photos: Battleship USS New Jersey Is Making a Historic Naval ‘Comeback’, The National Interest
– Full History – Battleship New Jersey, Battleship New Jersey
– Battleship USS New Jersey Is Making the Ultimate Comeback, The National Interest
– Battleship New Jersey will move for the first time in more than 20 years – Battleship New Jersey, Battleship New Jersey