Thread:

USS New Jersey - The Battleship

Toured the USS New Jersey on Christmas Eve and shot a few pics.

Link to all 69 pics on my photo website. These were shot with Nikon D90 and are untouched except for cropping a couple.

Just a little trivia:

It is anchored in Camden NJ right across the Delaware River from Philidelphia. It is on permanent display for tours and they have a museum inside one area adjacent to the galley. For the most part it is in original condition. It served from 1944 to 1991 and saw action in 4 major wars - WW2, Korean War, Vietnam, and the first Gulf war. It fired more shells than any other of the battleship in its service life. It was actually decommissioned several times and brought back. Looks like it could be again if ever needed with some refitting.

The (9) 16" guns could fire in 30 second intervals and were accurate within 50 ft at 20+ miles away. The shells appeared to be about 30+ inches in length.

The ship was originally fitted with (10) twin 5" guns as well, used for shelling surface targets and anti-aircraft. Those guns have a range of 10 miles or so. (4) of those guns were removed when the missiles were added in the 80's so (6) remain. Originally it had numerous anti-aircraft guns mounted on the deck which are also gone. It has (4) boxes of (4) ea Tomahawk cruise missiles. Also Harpoon missiles, (4) Phalanx close in weapons systems (CIWS) guns. These models fire I believe 2500 round per minute, some later models fire up to 4500 rounds per minute. They are designed to control incoming missiles or aircraft threats. Most modern Navy ship now use some model of these guns. Small but impressive. The ship is an "all business" war machine.

My gf asked me if I'd have served on the ship what job I'd have wanted. I thought for a moment. Probably Captain would be good! lol Seriously probably a gunner targeting guy or a person responsible for maintaining gun turret operation back in the day.

A few sample pics below:

Cool shots Rexie.

Great shots Mike. What an incredible ship! So much history there...... Have you had a chance to check out Fleet Week in San Francisco? It's the first week in October ever year and well worth a visit. Sounds like something you'd like.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Originally Posted by Jerkizoid

Thanks, enjoyed your vacation shots. Ex Navy guy like me?

No, just an enthusiast of all things military I'm afraid.

Originally Posted by Her454

Great shots Mike. What an incredible ship! So much history there...... Have you had a chance to check out Fleet Week in San Francisco? It's the first week in October ever year and well worth a visit. Sounds like something you'd like.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Have never been to fleet week but sounds like a plan. Nice Christmas thanks, and same to you.

Originally Posted by Gorse

Great pictures of a great ship - thanks for posting them.
The sad part of this is that of the 4 Iowa class battleships built during WW2, only the USS Iowa BB-61 has not yet been turned into a museum. I'm sure alot of the NorCal boaters have seen her at anchor with the mothball fleet in Suisun Bay, and there was one plan to move her to Vallejo. I also recently met a retired vet who served on her in Korea and they are trying to get her moved to San Pedro. There is more info on this website: www.ussiowa.org

It would be cool if all 4 were put on display. IMO you can never have enough history preserved with regard to what our soldiers fought and died for and the equipment they used doing so is a reason for people to study (and learn mistakes not to repeat).

Just out of curiosity where are the Missouri and Wisconsin presently? I know I could google it but this is easier.

Originally Posted by cvxjet

I was able to find a couple of pics of the bridge doors; Over 17" thick, designed to take a direct hit from a 16" shell. Beautiful ship, I'm glad they have preserved her; The USS Coral Sea, the Aircraft Carrier I was stationed on, was cut up for scrap...pretty sad.

I meant to get a picture of that door but didn't, glad you found one. They are massive as are most things on the ship. I believe it was in the recorded tour that those doors weigh either one or two tons each.

A great ship, I toured her Sister moored in Pearl some years back on a short stay there. Absolutely awesome machines.

Thanks Ross.

I'd like to go back another time when I have more time. We were a little short on time the day I went and there were no guided tours running that day. The have an extensive museum onboard which I had about zero time to go through.