While living in
New Jersey, I couldn't let the chance to visit the USS New Jersey pass.
It was an old dream to be onboard genuine WWII battleship, and there
are not many of them left, as you well know. BB-62 is permanently
moored at Camden Waterfront near the New Jersey State Aquarium and
Tweeter Entertainment Center. Curiously, it is almost on the same
location where it was built, the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard 68 years
ago.
I guess my choice couldn't be much better, as BB-62 has a long history
serving USN, starting in WWII and participating in all major conflicts
since then, including Korea, Vietnam, and Lebanon. She was
recomissioned three times during her life, and after fifty eight years
of sevice it was fortunately saved to rest as a permanent museum and
monument. The New Jersey is the America's
most decorated battleship. Besides that, I also learned
interesting facts about her:
It was the flagship of Adm. William 'Bull' Halsey during
the battle of the Leyte Gulf, 1944.
The Japanese surrender at the end of WWII would be signed
aboard the New Jersey instead of the Missouri, hadn't the former being
under repair at the time.
Even using technology of the late 30's, the fire power of
her 16" main batteries (and the other ships of her class as well) still
remains unmatched today.
I left my
family at Philadelphia and crossed the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, when I
had my first glimpse at BB-62, patiently waiting for me:
After arriving at the pier I was blessed with a beautiful view of
Philadelphia. Look closely and you will find the Independence Seaport
Museum across the river. There are the USS Olympia (C-6)
(Admiral Dewey's flagship in the Spanish-American War) and the USS Becuna (SS-319),
a WWII submarine.
Here
is the main entrance, and the propeler gives you an idea of the size of
these boats:
Before proceeding to the ship, I took a good look of the once a Navy
yard, trying to imagine those frantic days post Pearl Harbor, when the
most impressive boats of the world were being produced one after the
other...
On arrival, the size of the ship impresses even the most skeptical. I
wasn't able to fit the entire USS New Jersey in a single photo. The
title picture was stitched from two photos.
I must confess that
this visit was something absolutely impressive. Everything in a super
battle ship is colossal - the guns, the armour, the ammo, the size...
And the feeling of seating in the same cabin in which Bull Halsey once
commanded the ship is awesome:
Seriously now, I
won't specify everything in the photos below. Sure it will give you an
idea of what's inside. Just remember that the New Jersey had two major
overhauls after WWII, the latest one in 1980. Many scars of these
changes are visible, particularly by the removal of 5" guns and many
anti-aircraft items. Now we have 20 mm automatized mini-guns and
Tomahawks missiles... The photos are divided by sections. I should use
the appropriate 'level' id numbers, but I can't remember those
anymore... Instead, I'll indicate the approximate area from where each
group of photos was taken. Enjoy...
Entering the ship:
Leaving
the ship:
And that was my adventure on that cold Saturdary. I was even more
gratified for taking the suggestive photo below by the end of the day:
Wife-wise
comprobatory documentation:
I hope
you find these photos useful somehow. If you have
any interesting comment this ship, please drop
me
a line.
