The iconic USS New Jersey, a storied warship with a rich history of serving America, commenced its unusual journey down the Delaware River to dock in Philadelphia for maintenance, reported U.S. News. Leaving its berth in Camden, New Jersey, the battleship, assisted by tugboats, will first stop at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal for necessary adjustments before heading to the Philadelphia Navy Yard in six days' time.
In what battleship curator Ryan Szimanski described as "a once in a generation occurrence," the USS New Jersey will undergo a two-month period of maintenance including a full exterior repaint, fixes to its anti-corrosion system, and important inspections of its hull openings. Szimanski, who remarked on the ship as "one of the most impressive man-made objects ever" to AP News, voiced concerns owing to the vessel's age but remained confident in the smooth execution of the move.
Commissioned during the tumultuous times of the 1940s, the USS New Jersey has seen its fair share of action. Its distinguished service spans from World War II to conflicts in the Middle East, making it the Navy's most decorated battleship, as 6abc highlights. After approximately 50 years of active duty, it retired in February 1991 and has since been preserved as a floating museum open to the public since 2001.
The historical vessel, launched on Dec. 7, 1942, has the claim of steaming more miles, engaging in more battles, and firing more combat shells than any other battleship in history. With its hull soon to be freshly painted, one can only hope that the vessel continues to share its stories with future generations, echoing the legacy of the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard from where it first set sail.
