The Battleship New Jersey, the nation’s most decorated battleship, is set to return to its home port along the Camden Waterfront on Thursday, June 22, after undergoing extensive maintenance and repairs.
The WWII-era ship has been away for nearly three months, first dry-docking at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in March and then sailing to Paulsboro for ballast repairs and restoration. The $10 million project included a thorough overhaul, including power washing and sandblasting to remove marine growth and debris, repainting, and repairs to its early warning corrosion system.
The battleship will depart from Paulsboro at 11 a.m. and arrive at the Camden Waterfront at 1:30 p.m., where it will resume its role as a floating museum. The ship has a rich history, having served for 50 years before its retirement in 1991. It was built at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and launched on December 7, 1942, the first anniversary of the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor.
Throughout its service, the Battleship New Jersey earned distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and conflicts in the Middle East, earning it the title of the most decorated battleship in Navy history. It has steamed more miles, fought in more battles, and fired more shells in combat than any other battleship.