The legendary USS New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship known as “Big J,” and America’s most decorated naval vessel, is currently undergoing an extraordinary refurbishment at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard—her original birthplace.

This meticulous process, which includes a fresh coat of paint and hull inspection, will not only preserve the ship’s grandeur but also serve as a historical testament to America’s rich naval heritage.

Commissioned in 1940, the USS New Jersey has been decommissioned and recommissioned four times throughout its storied history, reflecting the evolving nature of naval warfare and the shifting tides of American military strategy.

Initially the pride of the fleet, battleships like the New Jersey were eventually eclipsed by aircraft carriers’ prominence in power projection.

Despite the changing dynamics of naval combat, the New Jersey played supportive roles in conflicts spanning from World War II to the Vietnam War.

The refurbishment, estimated to cost around $10 million, is a testament to the enduring significance of the battleship’s legacy.

“She will be returning to the same dock at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where she was built in the 40s,” said Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial.

During dry dock, the water encompassing a ship is emptied, offering shipbuilders the opportunity to examine and repair any possible harm.

Museum vessels are typically scheduled for these inspections approximately every two decades, as per the Battleship New Jersey.

Key focuses for the forthcoming maintenance projects involve repainting the hull and eliminating marine organisms’ growth.

As stated by the Battleship New Jersey, employees will additionally examine “through-hull openings” (which facilitate the passage of water and gas into and out of the ship) and substitute “anodes,” crucial in combating corrosion caused by the salty water.

While some naval enthusiasts muse about the potential return of battleships like the New Jersey to active duty, citing their heavy armor and formidable firepower as assets in a modern A2/AD contested environment, this notion remains largely hypothetical.

The example of the aging yet active B-52 Stratofortress in the U.S. Air Force inventory demonstrates that with modern upgrades, legacy platforms can continue to serve valuable roles.

The sentimentalist in us may hold onto dreams of the battleship New Jersey returning to its former glory, but it is more likely that it will continue to serve as a museum.

The future of warfare is evolving towards engagements at a distance, utilizing agile, swift, and frequently unmanned systems.

Relevant articles:
– Naval Giant: Battleship USS New Jersey ‘Could’ Rejoin the U.S. Navy, The National Interest
– Future USS New Jersey Delivers to U.S. Navy, United States Navy (.mil)
– U.S. Navy Battleship USS New Jersey Is Getting a ‘Reboot’ and Massive Update, The National Interest
– USS New Jersey to travel the Delaware River in 2024, headed for repairs, Delaware Currents