Although long since retired, the Iowa-class USS New Jersey battleship is back in the news. The celebrated ship, which has served as a museum and a memorial since decommissioning in 1990, is set to undergo a $10 million overhaul.

“The battleship will undergo routine maintenance, repairs, and repainting for the first time in 32 years, a job that will cost $10 million,” the Maritime Examiner reported. “That task is expected to take 60 days following which the ship will be towed back to Camden in time for Memorial Day and the peak tourist season.”

The History of the Iowa-Class Battleship USS New Jersey

The USS New Jersey was first commissioned in 1943. The second Iowa-class commissioned, the New Jersey (nicknamed “Big J”) sailed westward from her construction site, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, to combat the Japanese threat in the Pacific. Throughout the war, the New Jersey earned more battle stars for combat actions than any of the other three Iowa-class battleships. The New Jersey earned the battle stars in various actions: she shelled targets on Guam and Okinawa; and she screened aircraft carriers conducting raids in the Marshall Islands.

After World War II, the Navy determined that the New Jersey still had some service left in her. New Jersey was used in the Korean War, where she served two tours. During the conflict, the Navy used New Jersey’s 16-inch guns to extend the range of their land artillery, firing upon coastal targets in direct support of United Nations troops and in preparation of ground actions.

After the Korean War, the New Jersey was decommissioned and placed in the reserves – but it wouldn’t be the end of line for already storied vessel.

During the early years of the Vietnam War, US aircraft losses were high. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara conducted a study on ways to alleviate aircraft losses, eventually leading to the decision to recommission the New Jersey. Having received an extensive overhaul just prior to decommissioning, the New Jersey was in better material condition than the other Iowa-class battleships. As a result, the New Jersey became the world’s only active battleship, a relic of a bygone era in naval warfare, and the only Iowa-class to fire upon targets in the Vietnam War.

After the Vietnam War, the New Jersey was decommissioned again. Again, the decision was made to recommission the ship in 1982, when President Ronald Reagan pushed to create a 600-ship Navy. The New Jersey would decommission for a final time in 1991 and converted into a museum.

New Jersey Battleship Overdue for Repairs

“We’re way overdue and are moving forward now because it will be more expensive every year we wait,” said Marshall Spevak of the Homeport Alliance, in reference to the New Jersey. Spevak added that the New Jersey has been overdue, specifically, for 12 years according to the US Navy’s prescribed maintenance guidelines, which call for dry-docking every 20 years.

“It costs $10,000 per day to keep the [New Jersey] afloat on the Camden Waterfront,” Maritime Executive reported, “costs that are mainly covered through tourist visits and donations. Last year, nearly 80,000 people visited the battleship for tours, overnight stays, and events.”

Hopefully, with the proper maintenance, the New Jersey will be able to remain “in service” as a museum piece, indefinitely.

About the Author: Harrison Kass 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

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