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Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
Permission granted to come aboard the Battleship New Jersey, the most decorated battleship in U.S. history.
When visitors first witness the Battleship New Jersey, they are amazed at its sheer size. Nearly three football fields long and over 11 stories high, the Battleship New Jersey was the longest battleship ever built. Marvel at its three turrets, each with three 16-inch guns, which used to fire a six-foot long projectile weighing as much as a Volkswagen Beetle an incredible 23 miles. Once visitors step onto the "Big J's" teak deck, they realize that this is one incredible vessel.
Built in the Philadelphia Naval Yard and launched on Dec. 7, 1942, the grey lady looks pretty good for her age. Along the tour route you'll see a few of its upgrades over the years, including the installation of Tomahawk and Harpoon missile launchers and the Phalanx defense system — a computerized gun that could fire off 3,000 rounds a minute.
But the highlights of the New Jersey don't stop with its weapons. Visitors can also learn more about what it was actually like to be stationed on the Ship through self-guided tours of the General Quarters and "City At Sea," which is a guided tour designed to help you experience how life was lived on this floating vessel. The "City At Sea" tour takes visitors through parts of the Ship never seen before by the public, like the Medical Facility, the Dental Facility, the Post Office, the Machine Shop, the TV Studio, the Brig, and the Barbershop.
There's plenty of fun for the family, too. Kids can build their own battleships from giant puzzle pieces, pose for pictures on a High Line chair that transferred sailors from one ship to another while at sea, and depending on their age, ride the 4D Flight Simulator and battle with an enemy aircraft in a dog fight over Iwo Jima.
Who says you have to be a Navy Admiral to view the New Jersey, the most decorated Battleship and surviving warship in U.S. History?
BRING THE FAMILY
Pack your PJ’s and spend the night aboard ship . As part of the Battleship New Jersey’s encampment program, the whole family will sleep in bunks, chow down in the crew’s mess, and “stand watch” just like real sailors.
COME PREPARED
The Ship's narrow companionways and ladder-type stairs make it tricky for people with walking difficulties to move from deck to deck. And it isn't really accessible to wheelchairs.
WHO KNEW
BB-62 was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and launched on December 7, 1942- just one year after the Pearl Harbor Attack brought America into WWII.
JERSEY DEVIL SIGHTINGS
The Jersey Devil knows better than boarding the Battleship New Jersey. While many of the county's finest sailors courageously defended our nation on this ship, the Jersey Devil was holed up in his lair. He wouldn't have the nerve to show his beady-eyed face here.
VOLUNTEER
The New Jersey offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. As a volunteer, you could participate in memorial events onboard the ship, join in exclusive behind the scenes tours, work with veterans and youth groups, participate in special events, attend specialized lectures and tours and work with men and women who share a common interest in learning about, studying, and teaching our nation’s naval history. All tour guides must be 18 years of age and complete the onboard training program. For more information, contact the Office of Volunteer Affairs at (866) 877-6262, ext. 224 or email them at volunteers@battleshipnewjersey.org.
SUPPORT
YOU can directly impact our mission to continue the "Big J's" on-going maintenance, restoration and public education programs by becoming a "Crew Member" of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. Membership range in level from a $40 individual membership to $500 benfecator packages. For more information, please contact the Development and Membership Department at (856) 966-1652, ext. 102 or development@battleshipnewjersey.org.
TAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT
Take the Ride RiverLine to the Entertainment Center. Walk around the Tweeter Center to reach the Battleship.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Listen to the “Big J’s” expertly-trained tour guides for a list of rules while on-board the ship. You will see lots of cool stuff that makes the Battleship unique, such as weapons systems, berthing areas, command and control centers, and on-board museum exhibitions. Make sure that you pay attention so you know which displays are off limits and which ones are hands-on.
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