When I first heard that the Battleship NJ was coming to NJ as a museum I was excited and looked forward to visiting it. Since it has been docked in Camden I have gone twice. One time with the family, and one time I actually got to sleep on it with my sons Boy Scout Troop.
Unfortunately I don't have any idea where "my" pictures of the NJ are, here is one I took from the website: The site has many photos of the ship including some shots of it firing its 16" guns
I am writing this post because of an article in the paper the other day. "Battleship New Jersey loses aid, cuts staff". The article discusses the budget cuts and the fact that the state aid is going to be 1/2 what it was for this coming year. In response the museum has laid off 8 staff members. (20% of the work force) and they are considering closing the ship to the public this winter. This would be a shame, the vast majority of the visits and overnights I am sure come from school groups and Scouting groups, which are most apt to visit the ship in the winter months.
If you have not been there I would recommend a visit. the sheer size of the ship is amazing. The thickness of the steel is hard to believe. How does so much weight float??? I think the turrets are 17" thick, and the bridge is like a bank vault about the same thickness. It is an impressive hunk of floating metal to visit! The NJ saw a lot of action through World War II right up to the more modern era, It is left in its retired state with cruise missle launchers and most of the old WWII anti aircraft guns removed. The NJ was never hit by a kamakazee plane since it had the ability to protect itself so well with ample weaponry. If you are a history buff at all, this should be on your to-do list!
You can make a day trip with the family and visit the Camden Aquarium just next door, or run across the bridge to Philly and visit a few ships on the other side, one of them a ww2 Submarine.
And while you are there, Buy some NJ Stuff to support OUR Battleship!
Have a great weekend
Rob
Real Estate Mortgage Network
I am sure you will enjoy the visit if you take the time to see the NJ!
Enjoy, NJ, there's so much to see and do. I miss the Jersey shore.
Rich
Charlotte NC
I've been wanting to see this ship. I visited the Intrepid twice and really enjoyed it. That is so cool that you got to sleep on it. Rob, what ships do you recommend in Philadelphia? Sounds like it might be a fun day trip. Would be cool to read up on the history of the ships before visiting. And, yes, it is AMAZING that all that weight floats!
P.S. You get to sleep in the BEST places with the Boy Scouts - camping while rafting, camping on The Beach AND sleeping on a Battleship. I want to be a Boy Scout!
you have to add in: sleeping in a tent in rain, snow, noreasters, well below freezing!!! Fun Fun Fun!
I never went to the other ships, or to the aquarium... so I cant give any good input. It think the on ship is an old battle ship from the turn of the century, and the sub.... they other ships are just across the delaware from the NJ.
Oh yeah, I was on a sub once too - the U.S.S. Ling up in Hackensack. I visited the Camden Aquarium when it first opened and it was mostly all freshwater fish so not as much vibrant color as you see at most aquariums.
I have camped in the rain and didn't mind it. It was actually sort of neat in a way really listening to the rain (at night anyway). Camping in the snow? Now that sounds interesting. If it is a nice gentle snowfall and low wind and a bright moon then it seems like that would be very peaceful and beautiful. Of course, being out in freezing winds and a blinding storm would be a totally different experience!
Was anyone claustrophobic?
Robert: Boys LOVE ships! It's just that easy. I've taken my boys on ships when they were little and they loved every visit. It would be sad to not have that available for them. Cutting staff is not all that bad though. It's amazing what we can do with proper management and dedicated workers...
Fundraisers would also help augment the state money. Just a thought...
We saw an aircraft carrier in San Diego yesterday - the sheer size was amazing!
Hi Amanda!
What are you doing in CA??? I hope you get a chance to go to Napa and bring home some wine! It is amazing how big the ships are, Especially carriers... they are like floating cities.