What happens when you get me on the country’s oldest battleship? Well, a lot of fun and exploring! Two things I enjoy greatly! My latest adventure had me going down the NJ turnpike to good ol Camden, N.J! There lies the country’s oldest battleship..appropriately called the BATTLESHIP NJ! The World’s Greatest Battleship! It’s not everyday you get to check out the country’s oldest battleship but here I was! Ready to go! But first, to gain a better appreciation of the ship I should shoot some history of the battleship. So let’s go..
The USS New Jersey (BB-62) launched from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on December 7, 1942 and served in World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and as part of a multinational force of peacekeepers during the Lebanese Civil War. The ship was decommissioned in 1991 and is America’s most decorated battleship, having received 19 Battle and Campaign Stars. And that’s where she now stands-along with a museum and memorial on the Camden Waterfront in October 2001. More than 55,000 sailors and Marines served on board. The ship is considered the longest, fastest, most decorated battleship in U.S history!
Walking up to the ship felt like seeing the Titanic (ok maybe not that big) but it’s a fairly large ship. I’m not use to seeing ships that big and it definitely threw me for a loop. We got listening devices that looked like walkie talkies that allowed us to hear what went on in different parts of the ship and what certain things were used for. Made for a more enjoyable experience and being that I was on a self guided tour, I could go at my own pace and basically do what I wanted. If you come out, I would say take advantage of this option (its free).
I enjoyed the entire Battleship but I’d say my favorite section of it was where the crew slept. The sleeping quarters. We got to lay on the same bunk beds as the crew, check out showers and sinks the crew used and see what their living conditions were like as they served. It was quite the experience! I came away with a greater appreciation and fondness for the way these men and women lived. I think you sometimes take for granted how good you can have it in terms of having a nice bed, personal space, privacy etc and these people didn’t have much of any of that-That’s for sure. Another section of the ship that I found pretty interesting was the medical areas where doctors, nurses and surgeons would work where they would tend to crew and generals in need of assistance. I couldn’t imagine getting a root canal while war was happening around me but this was reality for these people. Life went on as usual. Walking the “hallways” was pretty awesome too. Lots and lots of different rooms with so much discover-I could have spent more time exploring (I was on the ship for around 3 hours).
The members of the crew were really accommodating and even let me tour a few rooms of the ship that were blocked off to the main public along with a little private tour (one room had the steering equipment that sailors used to maneuver the ship). Very cool! Hang out long enough and if you see an employee ask some questions and see if they’ll take you around.
I really enjoyed touring the Battleship New Jersey and it made for a worthwhile day down in Camden! Afterward, I hit up The 1975 show at BB&T Pavilion literally right around the corner and rocked out for the rest of the night. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend scoping the Battleship out! Totally worth the time and the energy (just bring good shoes-you’ll be giving your Fitbit some serious steps to track).
-D
Battleship New Jersey
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ 08103
Rain or Shine 9:30 AM-3:00 PM Daily
