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2/25/24 – Battleship Texas Update

Posted by Battleship Texas Foundation on February 25, 2024

DRY DOCK TOURS

The last Dry Dock Tour was today. Since November 20th, 2022, over 4,300 of you have participated in one or more Dry Dock Tours, raising over $630,000 in ticket sales alone. Thank you all for your support!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What’s next.

Battleship Texas will remain at Gulf Copper Shipyard for until her new home is ready for her. Additional steel work, removal and replacement of the ship’s deck, and superstructure/aft fire control restoration will continue. And painting the topsides!

The ship will be put back into the water in early March 2024 (weather permitting).

Antifouling

The ship’s hull has been coated with PPG SIGMASHIELD 880 GF. Historically the ship would be coated with an anti-fouling coat that is red in color, but that coating is no longer needed as the ship is stationary and antifouling is not need to keep the hull free of marine growth for efficient movement through the water.

Keel Blocks?

Yes, the keel blocks supporting Battleship Texas can be moved. Each block is moved so the area atop of them can be blasted, repaired (if need be), and coated.

What about the rudder?

The rudder will remain where it is. Funding is best spent elsewhere.

Will the ship run again?

No, the ship will never be able to run under its own power again.

The Battleship Texas Foundation is working on new touring opportunities before the ship reopens.

There is a lot to be done before the ship is ready for touring at its new home in Galveston, Texas. Reopening is projected to happen sometime in 2025 or 2026.

SHIP REPAIRS

Docking keels.

A quality control check was conducted on January 30th, 2024. Leaks were expected and the team has successfully located them. Several of the leaks were under the starboard after docking keel. To fix it requires removing the docking keel, fixing the hull, and installing a new docking keel. For structural support symmetry we are replacing the two after most docking keels. At this time we are only replacing the after two docking keels. We have a procedure for safely removing these blocks that will not structurally damage or compromise the ship.

This work is progressing well and 1/3 of these two docking keels have been replaced and the associated hull under them repaired.

Work will continue to ensure that Battleship Texas is leak free, right up until she goes back in the water. Her hull is 112 years old and has been in an abnormal state (out of the water) for 18 months; we do anticipate that she might have some water intrusion once she is afloat. If we do have water intrusion, we will evaluate it, address it with the resources we have available, and keep working to ensure Texas is as internally dry as possible.

5″ Guns

Two 5”/51 guns were reinstalled on the ship this week. 5/“51 mount #9 and #11 were reinstalled Tuesday and Friday. Mount #13 will be reinstalled this week, with the port side guns following once the ship is out of drydock and pier side at Gulf Copper. All six of the ship’s 5” guns were removed while in drydock, were restored at our workshop, and are being reinstalled.

Aft Fire Control Tower

Repairs to the ship’s Aft Fire Control tower are ongoing. The windows, which were removed years ago, will be replaced. The jams that hold the windows have been installed in the secondary battery level, trial windows have been made and test fitted.

The deck drains on the port side of the foremast have largely been reinstalled, ensuring that water drains properly off the ship.

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Best Ways To See The Battleship Texas In Galveston

The 110-year-old USS Texas Battleship will be drydocked in Galveston during restoration, giving island visitors a rare opportunity to marvel at her glory.

On August 31, 2022, Battleship Texas made her way from San Jacinto to Galveston to undergo extensive repairs. While drydocked in the Galveston Harbor, the historic vessel will be displayed for all to see. Here are some of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the USS Texas during your visit to Galveston Island.

pictured: USS Texas arrives in Galveston (Aug 31, 2022)

Commissioned in 1914 as the most powerful weapon in the world, the Battleship TEXAS is credited with the introduction and innovation of advances in gunnery, aviation, and radar. She is the last surviving Dreadnought as well as the only battleship in existence today that fought in both World War I and World War II.

For the next year, the 110-year-old USS Texas will be drydocked in the Galveston harbor to undergo extensive repairs. There are many ways to get an up close and personal view of the vessel during their trip, which we'll outline in this article.

Best Places to See the USS Texas?

The Battleship Texas will be drydocked during her repairs at Gulf Copper in Galveston's historic harbor. This means visitors to the island will have the rare opportunity to see this historic vessel during their stay . Below, you'll find our top recommendations for getting the best views of the USS Texas.

Pier 21 is a waterfront entertainment and dining area located in The Historic Strand Seaport Area, directly adjacent to where the USS Texas is drydocked.

Pier 21 offers a variety of attractions, restaurants, and lodging that are practically in the shadows of Battleship Texas. Read on to discover some of our best recommendations.

Join us for this unique opportunity to see Battleship Texas up close and out of the water! We are offering limited tours on the dry dock at Gulf Copper on Sundays only until April 30th. These are guided tours that are about an hour long, walking on the dry dock deck. Space is limited; tickets are $150.

Harbor Boat Tours

Pier 21 is home to year-round harbor boat tours that give patrons the opportunity to learn about the historic Galveston harbor and spot dolphins. With the arrival of the USS Texas in this very harbor, these boat tours are the perfect way to get an up-close view of the battleship.

Attractions Near Battleship Texas

The USS Texas isn't the only historic vessel to marvel in Galveston. Located at the Galveston Historic Seaport, the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA is a historic vessel and a floating museum that serves as the Official Tall Ship of Texas, a National Historic Landmark, and a symbol of the Gulf Coast’s historic beginnings.

Galveston’s historic immigration story comes alive at the 'Ship to Shore' experience at the Galveston Historic Seaport. Follow in the footsteps of the early immigrants on their journeys to 1880s Galveston.

This unique museum - located on the Galveston Harbor - allows visitors to step aboard a retired jack-up rig and experience three floors of exhibits and interactive displays illustrating the history of offshore oil and gas from seismic technology to exploration and production.

Dining Near Battleship Texas

Dine in the shadows of the USS Texas at Willie G's located on Pier 21. Recognized nationally as one of the top upscale seafood restaurants, Willie G's is known for providing the finest and freshest seafood, succulent steaks and unsurpassed service in an elegant setting.

Revered as one of the best seafood restaurants in Galveston, Fisherman's Wharf's waterfront patio is the perfect spot to dine with views of the USS Texas. Time your visit perfectly and might see the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, the USS Texas AND one of Galveston's massive cruise ships departing simultaneously!

Katie's Seafood Market supplies this restaurant with its fresh seafood, which is a unique attribute among restaurants and takes each dish to the next level. Stop in for a delicious shrimp platter and enjoy a house cocktail while you gaze across the harbor at the USS Texas.

Lodging Near Battleship Texas

The Harbor House Hotel and Marina at Pier 21 is the only hotel in Galveston that overlooks the Galveston Harbor and the USS Texas. Harbor House sits on the site of an early Galveston Steamship Terminal and provides a unique vantage point for watching the activity of a working port, including spectacular views of the USS Texas in drydock.

Where the Texas Coast begins.

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Posted 4/16/2024 by Galveston Historical Foundation

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Visit Galveston is the official destination marketing organization for Galveston Island, Texas.

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Battleship Texas State Historic Site

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Battleship Texas State Historic Site - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Battleship Texas Foundation offering limited dry dock tours in Galveston through December

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Battleship Texas Foundation begins seasonal dry dock tours around the ship out of the port of Galveston.

Tickets are going for $150 per person for tours that will be available every Sunday through December.

The Battleship was commissioned in 1914 and is the last surviving dreadnought that fought in both World War I and World War II.

It's undergoing an extensive $35 million repair at Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation's shipyard to refurbish the hull.

People must sign up online in advance because tickets will not be sold at the gate.

The guided walking tour lasts about an hour and will be on the dry dock deck, not the actual battleship.

Visitors will be required to sign a liability waiver and photo release.

The foundation said the facility has a strict dress code, and those visiting must wear full-length pants and closed-toed shoes with good traction.

Eye protection and hard hats will be provided.

For more information you can visit the Battleship Texas Foundation website .

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Get away to Galveston for a tour of Battleship Texas and more

Visitors can take a hard hat tour of the exterior of Battleship Texas, which is being renovated in Galveston. Pam LeBlanc photo

Midway through a tour of Battleship Texas , now dry- docked in Galveston for repairs, I squat down, waddle under the belly of the hulking vessel, and rest my hand on her keel.

I doubt too many folks have tickled the underside of a battleship deployed in both world wars, yet here I am.

This hard hat tour is just one part of a whirlwind trip to Galveston that includes bird watching, a stop at Moody Gardens, a brewery tour, playing in the waves and some excellent food and drink.

Tour the Battleship Texas

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The ailing USS Texas moved from LaPorte to Galveston last August, after crews discovered she was leaking 1,500 gallons of murky water a minute.

“She was rusting from the inside out,” tour guide Bob Lunsford says as he leads our group of 15 visitors, all wearing yellow hard hats and safety glasses, during a nearly two-hour tour on a muggy afternoon.

When the ship was launched in 1914, she was considered the most powerful battleship in the world.

I try to imagine her bustling with activity. She was built to accommodate 1,000 sailors, including a surgeon and a dentist, who originally slept in hammocks hung in her berth. Later, fold-down beds, tables and chairs were added. Remarkably, she suffered just one battle fatality during her days of active duty.

The ship was designated a museum in 1948, and had been docked at the San Jacinto Battlefield and Historic Site. There, years of exposure to mud and brackish water took a toll. Once she arrived in Galveston, it took workers more than 12 hours to settle her out of the water. She’s expected to spend another year here, then she’ll go back in the water before getting another year of repairs.

The Texas Legislature appropriated $35 million toward those repairs in 2019, and added another $25 million during the most recent legislative session. The non-profit Battleship Texas Foundation hopes to raise an additional $25 million to cover costs of her restoration.

A lot of the current work is focused on the torpedo blisters, a second skin designed to absorb impact and protect the ship’s interior in case she’s hit by weapons.

“You want the torpedo blisters to shred, not transmit the force of the explosion,” Lunsford says.

Tours are offered Sundays through the end of January. When renovations are complete, she’ll likely stay in Galveston, although a specific location has not been announced.

Tremont House

After the tour, we dropped our luggage at the historic Tremont House downtown. The entrance of the hotel, one part of which occupies an old dry goods warehouse, stands just down the block from the ornate Powell Arch , built for the city’s Mardi Gras celebration in 1986. It’s close to everything, from the shops and restaurants along the Strand to the Grand 1894 Opera House on nearby Postoffice Street.

We cleaned up, then headed down to Toujouse Bar in the lobby to meet some friends. For a classic cocktail, try the Side Door, the hotel’s take on a New York Sour, complete with bourbon, egg white and a cabernet floater. The Tremont’s rooftop bar is undergoing renovations and will reopen in 2024.

Bar hopping

The Grand Galvez on Seawall Boulevard recently underwent a renovation. Pam LeBlanc photo

From there, we headed to the beachside Grand Galvez , which recently underwent a renovation of its own.

The vibe is all Great Gatsby iInside the stunning, flamingo-colored building, which opened in 1911. We stepped across black and white marble floors on our way to the lobby bar. There, we settled onto a couch beneath a blood-red chandelier the size of a hippo. Brass railings, mosaic floors featuring flowers and seashells, and a restored 1915 Ford Model T Speedster add to the retro atmosphere.

And the drinks? Thumbs up.

RELATED : Experience the holidays at JW Marriott San Antonio

Galveston Island State Park

After three years and $10 million in renovations, Galveston Island State Park reopened its beach facilities this spring at the west end of the island.

We spent a few minutes checking out the improvements, including new multi-use campsites (they’re pretty exposed and clustered together). A boardwalk makes it easy to access the beach, and the new headquarters building is worth a stop. Then we booked it  to the bay side of the park, where birdwatchers flock to see herons, egrets, gulls, terns, ibis and more.

Don’t forget mosquito spray if you hike. We spent 30 minutes on the Eskimo Curlew Loop, where you can see a giant sculpture of the bird now thought to be extinct, and the bugs feasted on me. Still, the trails, which wind past ponds and into tall grasses, are worth a stop.

Rainforest Pyramid

I usually avoid zoos and artificial habitats, but if you’re into birds, stop by the Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens.

We spent nearly two hours strolling through the steamy, glassed-in structure, where birds flap from tree to tree and fish the size of sofa cushions ply the waters.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off a turquoise- and teal-colored beauty called a blue-bellied roller. A native of Africa, the stocky little bird landed on a tree branch near me and ruffled its feathers.

In all, the exhibit encompasses more than 1,700 plants and animals, and most of them roam at will.

Galveston Island Brewing

Like beer? Drop by Galveston Island Brewing , where we got splashed in beer as we watched head brewer Jason Stromberg man the canning line.

The brewery is known for its Tiki Wheat, but today you’ll find 18 different beers on tap. Stromberg’s favorite? “Sour beers,” he says. But really, he just loves beer and yeast and says “being able to take a living organism and create something is a fascinating thing.”

You can’t buy it in Austin, but you can get it at liquor stores, groceries, and bars all over Houston and Galveston.

Oh, and guys: ? Don’t miss the bathroom, where you can pee into a urinal crafted out of a beer keg. Or so I hear.

LaKing’s Confectionery

I can’t visit Galveston without stopping by LaKing’s Confectionery , where you’ll find glass jars filled with rock candy, cases loaded with hand-dipped chocolates and baskets filled with salt water taffy. The shop uses vintage equipment to make more than 50 types of candy from old-time recipes and sells an array of more modern sweets, like gummy bears and jelly beans, too.

Hungry yet?

Galveston’s got some great seafood restaurants, and I tried a few for the first time this visit.

A night at Rudy & Paco downtown feels a little like stepping into the 1920s. It’s dimly lit, the wait staff is impeccably trained, and the menu features redfish, scallops and other Gulf seafood. I went for the pecan-crusted redfish, but the best thing I ate was the ceviche.

For a more affordable night on the town, try BLVD. Seafood on Seawall Boulevard, where we blissed out eating some of the best fried shrimp and soft-shelled crabs we’ve ever tasted.

But the best discovery of all is the Maceo Spice & Import Company, which sells its own spice blends along with a muffaletta that got the stamp of approval from my husband, who hails from a small town in Louisiana.

RELATED : Women, wind and waves: Surfing for adventure

A dip in the Gulf

The Pleasure Pier entertainment district is located on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. Pam LeBlanc photo

Galveston sometimes gets a bad rap because the water isn’t Caribbean blue.

The local water’s café au lait- hue comes from sand and sediment that gets stirred up in the shallow waters. The waves are still terrific fun to play in, and I made two forays to take a dip. You’ll find 32 miles of beaches, and parking is available right on the Seawall.

Looking for an excuse to make the three-plus-hour trip to Galveston?

The 50th incarnation of Dickens on the Strand , a Victorian-inspired festival featuring parades, costumed vendors and live entertainment, is set for Dec. 1-3.

The Galveston Railroad Museum offers a one-hour Polar Express train ride to the North Pole through Dec. 23. Moody Gardens gets decked out for the holidays with ice sculptures, an ice slide, holiday films and a mile-long trail of illuminated displays through Jan. 6. And the Grand 1894 Opera House presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 1 and 2.

Getting there:

It takes about three and a half hours to make the 200-mile trip from Austin to Galveston.

We love the Treemont House downtown or the Grand Galvez on Seawall Boulevard.

Take a hard hat tour of Battleship Texas , explore the Strand, swim in the ocean, go birdwatching at Galveston Island State Park or visit the Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens.

Eat & Drink:

For fine dining go to Rudy & Paco , for excellent seafood try BLVD. Seafood and for muffulettas go to Maceo Spice & Import Co . 

Don’t worry about the chocolatey color of the Gulf – that’s from sediment and sand that’s stirred up in the shallow water. Park along the Seawall and take a dip.

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Battleship Texas New Home at Pier 21 in Galveston

• posted by: Gulf Copper
• September 1, 2023
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GALVESTON, Texas – After years of planning, the Battleship Texas Foundation is nearing final agreements with both Landry’s Inc. and the Port of Galveston to dock the historic USS Texas permanently at Pier 21.

Tony Gregory, President/CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation, announced Thursday that the Foundation is approximately 60 days away from signing contracts with both parties. Landry’s operates several attractions adjacent to Pier 21, including the Harbor House Hotel and Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks. If finalized, the agreements would provide a long-term home for the deteriorating but iconic 110-year-old battleship following recent restoration work.

Mark Ashwell, Director of Business Development at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair, where restoration on the USS Texas began in September 2022 stated, “This will be a great enhancement for Galveston City and its people, as it will keep the iconic battleship in Texas and improve the overall tourist experience on the island.

The Battleship Texas will allow people from all over the country to tour the battleship to feel nostalgic and see the once state-of-the-art technology and engineering marvel of the only remaining World War I Dreadnought.”

Gregory noted that the Foundation would be financially responsible for the maintenance of the battleship under the proposed contracts. He expects total operating costs to be significant but declined to cite specific figures, as the Foundation relies predominantly on donations.

Mayor Craig Brown confirmed the city’s support for docking the floating museum in Galveston to augment its lineup of attractions. However, details are still being discussed before any binding pact is made.

The USS Texas is the last remaining combat veteran of World War I and served in both World Wars, escorting convoys across the Atlantic and providing fire support in Pacific battles. After nearly 60 years of maintenance by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Texas Legislature granted operational control to the Battleship Texas Foundation in 2019, along with $35 million in repair funds.

Structural repairs and waterproofing foam recently cut water intrusion from 2,000 gallons per minute to just 50, greatly extending the ship’s life. Gregory estimated a 90% chance the battleship will find its permanent home in Galveston. Final agreements are expected within two months, ending years of uncertainty for the deteriorating historic warship.

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See The Unique Chance To Visit The Mighty USS Texas Museum Battleship While She Is In Drydock

The USS Texas was the first battleship museum, and today people can see it on a unique tour in drydock.

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Why the battleship uss texas is so significant, retirement & preservation as the first us battleship museum ship, visiting the uss texas in dry dock today.

• Key takeaways:
• The USS Texas is a significant naval museum as it is the last remaining dreadnought battleship and symbolizes the rise of the US Navy.
• The battleship served in both World Wars and earned five battle stars in World War Two.
• The USS Texas has been preserved as the first US battleship museum ship and is currently undergoing repairs in dry dock, offering visitors a unique opportunity to see a battleship out of the water.

The battleship, the USS Texas, is one of the most important naval museums in the country. The USS Texas is the last of the dreadnought battleships around today and so is a unique attraction. The United States boasts many of the world's greatest navy museums, from five preserved aircraft carriers to the sailing vessel the USS Constitution (still a part of the Navy) .

Impressive navy museums can be found all around the world - one unique warship to see is the iconic Swedish Vasa which capsized and sank 20 minutes into her maiden voyage. In the United Kingdom, visitors can see the HMS Victory (the ship that fought Napoleon) .

The 1800s were dominated by the European navies (particularly the Royal Navy), but as 1900 dawned, times were changing. The Imperial German Navy was challenging the Royal Navy, and the nascent American Navy was growing. The USS Texas was commissioned in 1914, right around the time of the outbreak of World War One, and heralded the meteoric rise of the US Navy. The US Navy had achieved parity with the Royal Navy at the end of the war and was supreme at the end of World War Two.

• Commissioned: 1914
• Decommissioned: 1948
• Class: New York Class Battleship
• Displacement: 27,000 tons

The USS Texas survived World War One without engaging with any enemy ships. She did fire once in anger at submarines, but it may have been a false alarm.

By World War Two, she was one of the surviving battleships that the USA had at its disposal after the attack on Pearl Harbor. But the aging ship was used in the Atlantic to escort convoys to Britain and then to support Allied landings at Normandy.

Late in the war (after the Japanese Imperial Navy was badly beaten), she was transferred to the Pacific, where she aided with naval gunfire support with the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

At the end of the war, the US Navy had so many ships one would trip over them, and the aging USS Texas was quickly decommissioned in 1948.

In total, the USS Texas earned five battle stars in World War Two.

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The USS Texas was spared from the scrapyard and became a museum. She is the only capital ship to have served in both World Wars. She is important as the only dreadnought battleship remaining today.

She was the first battleship to become a museum and became the first battleship to become a US National Historic Landmark.

Today the USS Texas is managed by the Battleship Texas Foundation and is under the jurisdiction of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She was one of the key attractions at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site (the battlefield site where Texas won its independence).

The USS Texas had been deteriorated over the years and getting ever more leaky. Finally, she was removed from her birth and has been placed in a dry dock for much-needed repairs and maintenance in Galveston, Texas. As of the time of writing, July 2023, repairs are underway. It is not yet known where she will go in Texas after her repairs are completed.

Related: 10 Things You Will Learn At USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

Just because the USS Texas is in dry dock undergoing repairs doesn't mean she is closed to the public. Instead, it represents a unique opportunity to see a massive battleship hauled out of the water in dry dock for repairs.

From May 2023, dry dock tours have been offered, enabling people to get up close to the mighty battleship. These tours are limited and so people should plan in advance. They are only offered on Sundays and run every half hour from 8.00 am to 11.30 am. The tours are between an hour and a half and two hours long. These special tours are a little pricey for visiting a museum ship ($150), but the unique experience makes it worth it.

Battleship USS Texas Dry Dock Tours

• When: Sundays Every Half Hour, 8.00 am to 11.30 am
• Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
• Cost: $150.00

Visitors should check their website before going (the ship is under repair and so the tours may be canceled at any time). There is also a strict dress code for visitors entering the facility (enclosed toe shoes, full-length pants, and eye protection, and hard hats are required).

Participants also need to be 16 or more years old, and they are required to sign a liability waiver.

Another significant museum (and hotel) ship in the United States currently undergoing repairs is the famous oceanliner, RMS Queen Mary .

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Howard Kramer's, The Complete Pilgrim, Religious Travel Site

AMERICA’S BATTLESHIP MUSEUMS

May 16, 2020 By Howard Kramer 2 Comments

USS Missouri (wikipedia.com)

Between 1895 and 1945, the United States navy commissioned 64 battleships. A number of these have managed to escape Davy Jones’ locker and are now open to visitors.  From America’s oldest surviving battleship in Texas to two of the most famous battleships in Hawaii, here are five of the best battleship museums in the United States:

Houston, TX (New York class; launched in 1912)

www.tpwd.state.tx.us

The USS Texas (BB-35) is the oldest surviving battleship of the dreadnaught era.  Commissioned in 1914, it is also the only remaining American battleship that saw action in World War I.  Between the wars it served as the American flagship, and was used for presidential escort duties in the Atlantic.  One of the few American battleships that was not at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked in 1941, the Texas was one of the first in action, and was present at several of the largest amphibious engagements of World War II, including naval support of the Normandy invasion as well as the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

The USS Texas was decommissioned in 1948, but went on to an impressive retirement.  It was acquired by the State of Texas, where it was refurbished as America’s first battleship museum.  It was also the first World War II battleship to be declared a national monument.  In addition to being one of the largest battleships constructed prior to World War II, the Texas was also one of the first ships to boast most of the technological naval advances of the mid-20th century.  Over the course of her service the Texas earned five battle stars, and is one of the most decorated ships still afloat.  It is currently moored in the Houston Ship Channel where it is part of the San Jacinto Battlefield State Historic Site.

USS North Carolina

Wilmington, nc (north carolina class; launched in 1940).

www.battleshipnc.com

The USS North Carolina (BB-55), or Showboat, was one of the last battleships commissioned prior to America’s entry into World War II in 1941.  Originally scheduled to be sent to Pearl Harbor with the rest of the Pacific fleet, it narrowly avoided that disaster by being assigned to patrol duty on the east Coast instead.  It was rushed to the Pacific theater to relieve the devastated fleet at Pearl Harbor in 1942.  The North Carolina was the first American battleship to go on the offensive against the Japanese, and participated in countless engagements from Guadalcanal in 1942 to Tokyo Bay in 1945.  The North Carolina’s service ended almost immediately after the war, and she was permanently decommissioned in 1947.

The USS North Carolina remained inactive for several years before finally being towed to North Carolina in the 1960s.  It was opened to visitors soon thereafter.  The only surviving ship of the North Carolina-class, the North Carolina is also the best surviving example of early World War II naval design.  This is due, in large part, to its swift decommissioning after the war.  It is now located at the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial site in Wilmington.

USS Alabama

Mobile, al (south dakota class; launched in 1942).

www.ussalabama.com

The USS Alabama (BB-60), or Lucky A, was the first American battleship to be launched after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  Commissioned later in 1942, the Alabama’s first, assignment in the war was to work with the British navy in escorting convoys across the Atlantic.  The bulk of its service was in the Pacific theater, where it generally served as an escort ship to various aircraft carriers.  It participated in many of the major engagements towards the end of the war, notably at the Battle of the Philippine Sea.  The Alabama received the Lucky moniker due to the fact that it incurred virtually no damage and almost no casualties during the war.  She was one of the first American ships on the scene when the Japanese surrendered in 1945.

The USS Alabama was decommissioned in 1947, and after nearly two decades was transferred to Mobile and opened to the public.  Like the North Carolina, the Alabama is in nearly pristine World War II commission, thanks to its luck and quick removal from service.  For this reason it has appeared in a number of films and television shows.  The Alabama is now moored permanently at the Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, along with the submarine USS Drum.

USS New Jersey

Camden, nj (iowa class; launched in 1942).

www.battleshipnewjersey.org

The USS New Jersey (BB-62), or Big J, was one of the longest-serving American battleships of the 20th century, and one of the last to be used in a combat capacity.  Launched on December 7, 1942, the one-year anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, the New Jersey was one of the chief battleships active in the Pacific theater.  It served as a flagship under several admirals, and witnessed action in a number of major campaigns.  After World War II it was decommissioned, only to be recommissioned for the Korean War.  This occurred twice more, once during the Vietnam War and again during the later years of the Cold War.  She received her final decommission in 1991.

The USS New Jersey was one of the last American battleships on active duty.  At its retirement it had earned over twenty battle stars and was the most decorated naval vessel in American history.  It also boasted the most advanced naval weaponry ever on a battleship, much of which can still be seen today.  The New Jersey is now permanently moored at the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden.

USS Missouri & USS Arizona Memorial

Honolulu, hi (iowa class; launched in 1943; pennsylvania class; launched in 1915).

http://www.ussmissouri.com ; www.nps.gov/valr

The USS Missouri (BB-63), or Mighty Mo, was arguably the most famous American battleship of World War II, and the last to be in active service, having outlasted the New Jersey and Wisconsin by a few months.  One of the last battleships ever constructed in the United States, it was officially commissioned in 1944, just in time to participate in the final campaigns in the Pacific.  Although it saw nearly continuous action during this period, the Missouri gained fame not for its military service, but as the location where the Japanese formally surrendered to the United States, ending World War II.  It would later see service in both the Korean War and the Gulf War.  The Missouri was the last American battleship to ever fire its guns in combat.

The USS Missouri received its final decommission in 1991.  It was later moved to Pearl Harbor and refurbished as a museum ship.  Close by is the USS Arizona Memorial.  The Arizona, the most famous ship to be destroyed by the Japanese at the Battle of Pearl Harbor, lost nearly all of its crew during the attack.  The remains of the Arizona still lie at the bottom of the harbor, over which is a memorial to the men who died that day.  Together the Missouri and Arizona are among the most visited naval museums/memorials in the world.

Other Sites

USS Massachusetts (Fall River, Massachusetts) – BB-59, South Dakota-class; located at Battleship Cove, which also features other vessels, including the submarine USS Lionfish

USS Iowa (San Francisco, California) – BB-61, Iowa-class; part of the ghost-fleet located at Suisun Bay; not currently open to the public

USS Wisconsin (Norfolk, Virginia) – BB-64, Iowa-class; located at the Nauticus National Maritime Center

About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

November 1, 2017 at 4:01 am

Again the battle ships needed to be bigger ( much wider)and longer. It also needed smaller and more numerous water tight compartments and deeper draft so even multiple bombs would never reach the magazine. If this had happened we would of seen the entire US fleet engaging one ship and it would of escaped. The design flaws made it fail.

November 20, 2017 at 5:46 am

Sounds like you know what you’re talking about (more than me anyway). I presume you were in the Navy?

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See the stunning tour beneath the Battleship New Jersey fans are paying $225 to experience

T ours of the Battleship New Jersey as it sits in dry dock began this month, giving visitors a rare chance to see the hull of a fully exposed battleship and an opportunity to walk beneath a massive piece of American history.

The USS New Jersey , the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history, left its home pier on the Camden waterfront and was towed to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for major repairs on March 27.

Public tours are being offered on weekends through the end of May while the battleship undergoes restoration at the shipyard.

Tickets and can be purchased through the Battleship New Jersey museum’s website for $225. The tours are limited to people ages 16 or older. Veterans who served on the battleship can get discounted tickets for $170.

As of Thursday, more than 70% of tickets have been sold, according to officials.

For Libby Jones, who has been the Battleship New Jersey museum’s director of eduction for six years, the guided dry dock tours are a big change of pace.

The first weekend of tours, which began on April 6, completely sold out. People from around the country and the world have come to see the 887-feet long decommissioned warship out of water, said Jones, who serves as a tour guide.

“We’ve seen people from all over,” Jones said. “We saw folks from Switzerland ... somebody came from the Philippines just for a tour.”

Before joining the dry dock tour, visitors are reminded to dress appropriately and wear steel-toed shoes and sturdy pants because it’s an active worksite. Complimentary commemorative branded hats and protective eyewear are provided, along with steel toe covers for those who need them, officials said.

The tours, conducted in groups of about 10, begin at the top of the dock with museum directors delving into the history and ongoing work being done on the battleship.

Then, visitors descend into the dock, approximately 50 feet deep, to get an up-close look at the hull and the ship’s 18-foot tall propellers. And those taking the tour can touch the vessel.

Tour guides then switch on the lights on their hard hats to lead the group underneath the 45,000-ton ship for an experience that has never been offered before. The ship is currently elevated on about 360 blocks, a few feet above the ground, so those attending need to crouch down beneath the ship during the tour.

While there have been no injuries reported, children under 16 are not allowed on tours because it is an active worksite, musuem officials said. And, because climbing steep flights of stairs to get into and out of the site is required, the tour is not wheelchair or walker accessible.

Towards the end of the tour, as the group makes its way to the front tip of the vessel, visitors will find some of the best views for photos, guides said. When you look up at the ship from the front, you get a feel for just how massive the battleship is, Jones said.

Depending on the day the tour is booked, the public can get to see various stages of the battleship’s restoration.

Workers are repainting the ship’s hull, repairing the anti-corrosion system underneath the ship, and inspecting the through-hull openings. Also, the ship’s zinc anodes, used to prevent corrosion, will be replaced with aluminum, a better choice for the ship’s freshwater environment in the Delaware River.

Earlier this month, workers were power washing the hull to remove mud, old paint and any leftover debris, before it gets coated with fresh paint.

About 5,200 gallons of paint will be used to repaint the ship’s hull a traditional red color, said museum curator Ryan Szimanski.

Dry dock tour tickets are still available but nearly sold out, officials said.

“We’ve got slots left, but they’re selling quick,” Jones said.

Mandy Trunzo, of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, first became a Battleship New Jersey supporter about 18 years ago when she brought a group of Girl Scouts on an overnight tour of the ship in Camden. She was among the first set of people to secure a ticket for the first week of sold-out tours.

“This was an amazing once in a lifetime experience for my fiancé, Vincent, and I,” Trunzo said. “To be able to go underneath a 45,000-ton battleship is an amazing experience.”

The entire dry dock repair process, which will cost about $10 million, is expected to take about two months. Afterwards, the ship will return home to Camden, where it has served as a museum for 25 years.

Funding for the project came from various sources, including $5 million from the 2024 state budget, a $750,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust and a $3.25 million bond issued with backing from Camden County. The museum is working to cover the rest of the repair costs through its private fundraisers, officials said.

The Battleship New Jersey, also known as “Big J,” is the adorned with 19 battle stars. As an Iowa-class ship, it holds the distinction of being among the last American battleships to serve in World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War.

The Philadelphia Navy Yard dock, where the battleship is being repaired, is significant because it’s where the ship was originally built and launched in 1942, a year after the Pearl Harbor attack. The last time it entered to dry dock was in 1967 when it was reactivated for the Vietnam War, Szimanski said.

Decommissioned museum ships must undergo dry docking for maintenance every 20 years, according to Navy regulations. However, this is the first time in decades the Battleship New Jersey has undergone a major maintenance project, officials said.

When the vessel was first tugged away last month to make its way to Paulsboro for the first step of its repair journey, the sendoff was witnessed by hundreds on the Camden waterfront. The event may have been the the last opportunity for veterans who had served on the decorated ship to see it move again. Many watched again a few days later when the ship was towed from Paulsboro to Philadelphia to enter dry dock.

Judging by the response the museum has had from the dry dock tours, the excitement won’t be dying down anytime soon, said Jones.

“I don’t think it’ll die down until we’re very comfortably back in Camden,” she said.

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Nyah Marshall may be reached at [email protected] .

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Watch CBS News

Inside the Battleship New Jersey's "historic homecoming" to the Philadelphia Navy Yard

By Nikki DeMentri

April 18, 2024 / 6:28 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It is a full-circle moment and a "historic homecoming" for Battleship New Jersey at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The USS New Jersey is now temporarily docked in South Philadelphia while undergoing maintenance.

"We're at the Philadelphia Navy Yard at dry dock number three, which is the same dry dock she was built in, in the early 1940s (and) returned to in the late 1960s," CEO Marshall Spevak said standing on the ship's main deck. "This is a historic homecoming for the battleship."

Last month, the battleship was on the move for the first time in more than 30 years. The ship first stopped at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal before moving to the Navy Yard a week later.

This week, CBS News Philadelphia got a first-hand look at the important work being done while the nation's most decorated battleship is dry-docked. Ryan Szimanski, the vice president of education and curatorial affairs, took us on a tour.

"This is a side of them that nobody gets to see," Szimanski said.

All of the work being done is happening "under the waterline."

"The Navy would be dry docking a ship like this every 2-5 years," Szimanski said, "but that doesn't mean that you or I would ever get in there to see it."

The "critical hull maintenance work" focuses on three areas: repainting the hull, inspecting the through-hull openings and "fixing the cathodic protection system" by replacing dozens of anodes.

"This is a $10 million project over the course of two months," Spevak said, "so a lot is happening very quickly."

It's quite the sight to see: four 18-foot, 20-ton propellors out of the water. The New Jersey is sitting on more than 300 blocks, which support some 45,000 tons of ship above.

"Not all ships get saved, so it's extremely special the Battleship New Jersey was chosen," Szimanski said.

Crews recently started applying the first coat of paint on the hull.

"We're putting three different coats on. Each coat is a different color," Szimanski said. "That way the painters can see what they've painted and what they haven't and over the next 30 years, we can see, as that paint wears away, what color is it worn down to? Is it time to start planning for the next dry dock?"

Back on the main deck, Spevak said not only does this project fulfill the mission to preserve, but it also allows them to continue educating the public. Every weekend, aside from the day of the Broad Street Run, they offer public tours.

"It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to actually walk underneath the battleship," Spevak said.

He noted more than 3,500 tickets have been sold so far. Tickets can be purchased on the battleship's website.

"It's all going to go right back into this project and help cover our overhead expenses," Spevak said. "We have no other revenue coming in during this time that were here at the yard so the dry dock tours are really helpful to us and keeping us going."

Battleship New Jersey will remain at the Navy Yard for another month and a half before heading back down the Delaware and reopening in Camden in mid-June.

• Pennsylvania
• South Philadelphia
• Philadelphia

Nikki DeMentri is a general assignment reporter with CBS Philadelphia. The Central New Jersey native is thrilled she is sharing the stories of where she grew up.

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