In the heart of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, history buffs, naval aficionados, and patriotic souls are witnessing a rare spectacle: the iconic Battleship New Jersey, America’s most decorated naval vessel, being tended to in dry dock—a maritime ritual not seen for this battleship in over three decades.

Since late March, the mighty USS New Jersey has claimed Dock #3, her original birthplace from 1942, as her temporary cradle.

From the moment the USS New Jersey made her historic voyage across the Delaware River, pushed and prodded by the robust McAllister Towing tugboats, the stage was set for an event laced with both nostalgia and awe.

Onlookers gathered, eyes skyward, as the battleship departed her long-standing post at the Camden Waterfront, New Jersey, for a much-needed revival. The scene was charged with reverence when she pushed away from the pier and turned around on the Delaware, an event not seen in over 22 years.

This dry dock project, vital for the ship’s preservation, provides an intimate glimpse into the monumental scale and intricate maintenance of a seafaring leviathan.

The efforts involve removing marine growth on the hull, repainting, inspecting sensitive areas, and replacing anodes for cathodic protection. Her last docking, performed in 1967 for Vietnam War reactivation, marks a significant hiatus, accentuating the gravity of this current endeavor.

As David from Little Rock exclaimed, “Drydock tour was great. Once in a lifetime experience to crawl underneath a battleship.”

Curator Ryan Szymanski enhances the tour experience, inviting guests into a different era with his evocative narration, making them feel as though they are stepping right into the ship’s valiant past.

For those with a penchant for the tangible threads of history, these tours are nothing short of a pilgrimage. The experience of standing beneath the ship, with its massive Iowa-class propellers and 45,000-ton heft suspended above, is simultaneously humbling and exhilarating.

“The scale of the thing must be seen to be believed,” said Trent from Chicago, capturing the sentiment of many who have walked beneath these steel giants.

A soaring sense of pride accompanies the chance to own a piece of the ship’s history, as supporters eagerly bid for memorabilia like the Holiday Ensign Flag flown during her dry dock entrance, a palpable connection to the vessel’s storied service from WWII to the Cold War.

This temporary relocation to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, merely a few miles from her usual berth, is not only a technical necessity; it is a reverent homage to the ship’s history. As the ship is being painted in traditional red, guests witness the meticulous care taken to preserve her dignity and might. Over 5,200 gallons of paint will be applied, securing her presence for future generations, and ensuring she returns to Camden not just as a museum, but as a living testament to America’s naval prowess.

Funding for the project came from various sources, including $5 million from the 2024 state budget, a $750,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust and a $3.25 million bond issued with backing from Camden County. The museum is working to cover the rest of the repair costs through its private fundraisers, officials said.

As museum director of education Libby Jones notes, the tours have attracted enthusiasts from as far as Switzerland and the Philippines.

While the remaining tour slots fill rapidly, the excitement for the Battleship New Jersey’s dry docking project is as palpable as the hum of the shipyard itself. With June fast approaching, anticipation builds for her grand return to the Camden Waterfront.

Relevant articles:
– Dry Dock Details & Tickets – Battleship New Jersey, Battleship New Jersey
– Dry Dock Details & Tickets – Battleship New Jersey, Battleship New Jersey
– Battleship New Jersey – Experience a tour of the world’s greatest battleship!, Battleship New Jersey
– See the stunning tour beneath the Battleship New Jersey fans are paying $225 to experience, NJ.com