There is a startling difference between the USS New Jersey, and the USS Missouri, when it comes to the presentation of these great ships. Unfortunately the US Navy, or whoever is responsible for this, has their priorities wrong!
The Missouri is well maintained and presented. It looks as if it could put to sea as soon as a full head of steam was built up. The New Jersey on the other hand, as you can see in these pictures, seems set for the graveyard.
The f’c’stle is an utter disgrace, the deck is a mish mash of bits and pieces of planking, hammered in, without any regard for honour of this ship.
Why is this so?
The New Jersey is, I believe, the most honoured battleship; possibly warship. of the US Navy; seeing and being involved, in action in all theatres of the war, in which the navy was involved. The Missouri, beautiful ship that she is. has perhaps, only one real claim to fame, and that is it was upon this ship, that the Japanese signed the unconditional surrender which ended WWII in 1945
USS Missouri now stands guard at the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, which gives it pride of place as a museum vessel, and as such probably is the only reason that she is in such fine shape.
However, it is a national disgrace, and embarrassment to my mind, for greater vessels of the WWII US Fleet, to be allowed to suffer such an ignominious fate.
Another ship sharing the American disgrace is the USS Hornet, berthed at Alameda, in California; another ship with great name, and heritage to uphold, is being left to rot.
For SHAME!.
LordBeariOfBow 
Brian,
I think your website, as gen Z (are we up to Z yet? Where do we go from here? I have never understood this nonsense. Is there a gen A down to gen Z? Who are gen A etc anyway?) would say: “Is pretty cool”. Why not “hot”, but I suppose that is reserved, by them, to describe things of a sexual nature. No doubt your blog will cover things that are “pretty hot”, before long. I wish you a very long “rave” on your website.
All the best ,
Neill.
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Thanks Neill, did you view all the blogs or just the one? There are 14 or 15 of them now and I have a few drafts which I’ll be posting soon
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http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/
Hi Brian! I remember the drive several years ago to do the right thing for this proud ship. Take a look. And then book your trip! You can spend the night in one of the renovated bunks! I think your cry of shame hit a nerve somewhere! 😊🔔🇺🇸
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There doesn’t appear to be any up to date photo’s for me to judge on improvements if any.
I believe that in ’08 when I visited they had the stay overnights going. I recall how I felt ashamed that in a rear seaman’s mess there was an hamburger stall flogging burgers. Seemed kind of sacrilegious to me.
After visiting the ship I had a chat with a chap in the Info Office alongside, I believe he’d served on the ship. I did voice my disgust over the treatment of his ship in possibly strong terms 🙂
He’d written and published a book “American Battleships” subtitled A Pictorial History of BB-1 to BB-71 with prototypes Maine & Texas, which I purchased and he signed for me.June 28 2008 His name is Max R Newhart and he is/was on duty with the NJ.
A very good informative book and of great value to me as an amateur naval historian.
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http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/news-events/bb-62-images/
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20150326_Battleship_New_Jersey_receives__250_000_gift.html
Check out these sites. You’ll see a small photo of turrets on the deck–as at least partially renovated, as far as I can tell. The renovation began a few years ago and is being completed in pieces, funded by grants and public donations. Which you can read about in the other link! I thank you on behalf of residents and tourists for being one of the outraged visitors who clearly made a mark. I know from reading the history of the ship that things went downhill for it after they closed the Philly Naval Shipyard. A very sad event, indeed. It stands like a deserted ghost-town–most of it. A few tries at reviving it as a private venture, but nothing like it was when we arrived in 1983. At any rate, the links above should cheer you greatly–and perhaps entice you to another visit? If the unthinkable happens, I want to meet you in person and have for a cuppa whatever! 🙂
Elouise
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I think that perhaps they may have straightened out some of the mess on deck but I don’t think that enough has been done, from want of funds and effort from the Federal Government, who’s responsibility I believe it is, to keep and preserve these memorials from times that one hopes will never occur again.
As for my coming to the US again? I know that this will not happen the; my wife suggested I fly to Queensland the other week, she and our daughters went for a short holiday to celebrating our eldest daughters birthday,but the idea of being on a plane for an hour and 20 minutes did nothing for me.
When we went to the US in ’08 it was for our youngest daughter’s 3oth birthday. Emma, Poppy & Ruby’s mummy and Luke actually eloped and got married in NY and would liked to have moved there.
My wife has suggested I go visit my sister for a few days in Melbourne less than an hours flight, but I shudder, 13 hours to Las Vegas might get me motivated XD 👿
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I agree with you about who should be responsible for maintaining our key monuments and memories alive. As for air travel, I’m less interested in overseas travel now because of the prep work it takes–exhausted before I get to the airport–and then squished into tiny spaces for the duration. Etc.! Still, should you ever sprout wings and fly over this way, don’t sneak in and out of the country without that cup of tea or better….😊✈️🗽🦋🔔
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Don’t think I wouldn’t come if I could, even knowing the disgusting way we were treated by your customs & homeland security people on he last trip; I enjoy the US and I’d have dearly loved to have spent a lot more time in Pa, you may have noticed I have a small interest in history; and Philly is the home as far as I’m concerned in the US. It was a friend who lives in Pa who drove us to Philly; a lady I’ve known on the ‘net for many years, she lives in Millpont Pa and drove up to NY,we went to dinner,and the next morning drove us to Philly.
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What a wonderful friend! Sadly, things changed after 9/11. Which isn’t an excuse for anything-especially not for the situation in which we now find ourselves. Philly is a history buff’s heaven-even though some of its glory has faded over the years. I love all the public art and green spaces throughout the city. And the art museums, etc. All, of course, swimming in history. We lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside Boston for 5 years right after we were married. Also a historical treasure of a city (Boston). Well…as long as I’m alive and you’re alive, the welcome mat is out! 🙂
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I wanted to spend quite some time in Philly, but as we were in the US to celebrate and enjoy Emma’s 30th birthday I did as I was told. After NY we went to Boston for a few days which was great for me. I got to walk the decks of the USS Constitution; which in typical American fashion takes pride of place over a better sister ship, the USS Constellation; It’s like comparing the work of the Big Mo & the Big J.
By the bye can you tell me why Americans say ‘a historical treasure’ rather than ‘an historical treasure’; as the English; well those of us who like correct grammar, say? Like hospital, hotel we always say ‘an’ not ‘a’
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You’re such an obedient father/husband! 🙂
As for grammar, not all of us say ‘a’ instead of ‘an’ before ‘h’ words! My observation is that it’s generational and related to how much formal education we’ve endured. It also depends on the nature of the ‘h’ word. For example, none of us would say anything but ‘an’ hour. Yet most of us would say ‘a’ (uh) hotel. Go figure!
I loved Boston when D and I lived there in the late 1960s. Did you visit Durgin Park for a raucous sit-down meal at long tables with paper tablecloths? I did a post on that a while back. I’ll look it up and sent you a link. Probably tomorrow. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Elouise
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And it is Australians that are called a ‘weird mob’. I don’t recall a Durgin Park, but I must say that the best food we had, except for Hawai’i, was in Boston.
I’m looking forward to the link 🙂
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Here it is! http://wp.me/p32tHJ-2KL
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I imagine the Missouri is better taken care of for a number of reasons, such as it was chosen for the Japanese surrender site because Pres. Truman was from Missouri. But it does disturb me that the New Jersey has been so neglected! Same as the Hornet, probably overlooked because the USS Midway in San Diego gets so much attention. In this day and age when the school systems are beginning to really neglect history – they should all be taken care of.
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It’s an insult to the men who fought and died, who mostly were young men, who had volunteered to go fight, for not only their country, but what was right!
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You are quite right and I agree.
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I have only visited the USS NJ twice and it was several years ago (Corporate event and an 80th Birthday) and I can’t judge the quality as I have no expertise. As a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Battleship New Jersey would not exist without the support of donors and volunteers. It is because of the generosity of individuals, corporations and the public sector that we can continue to maintain the ongoing restoration, preservation and educational programs that take place onboard the ship. I can only guess that they do the best they can with the dollars they receive. You call it an insult to the men who fought and I agree it is a shame but restoration cost money and nonprofit organizations do the best they can. I understand that your post is your opinion and you have the right to it, but the legacies would be better served by a leg up statement to with the negativity. Why not add that they rely on funding from private donations. The same goes for the USS Hornet. I plan to visit the museum this year as it is where my father served during WW2. Regardless of its condition, I promote its great legacy as I know among other things, the organization relies on private funding.
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Thank you Maryann, I know and understand what you are saying, what I was trying to say is that I think it the government (which supposedly is the people working for the people using the peoples money)should be paying for the upkeep of these precious legacies and for the preservation of such vital possessions that rightfully belong to the people and for future generations of Americans,
When I visited the USS NEW JERSEY on the 35th June 2008 I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Max R Newhart, who was on duty there, ashore at the reception building. I voiced my feelings about this magnificent ship and he concurred whole heartedly with what I was saying. Mr Newhart has written an excellent book on American Battleships which of course I had to purchase and he very graciously autographed my copy.
This book 10 years on is never far from my side as I am at most times on the WWW and when things crop up I have his bible ready with answers.
Whilst visiting the USS HORNET I was humbled by the work being done there by the VOLUNTEERS again with very little help if any from state or federal governments, and also where it was stationed.
Why a ship with this ones history was hidden away in Alameda when it should be in pride of place at Fishermans Wharf instead of the Liberty ship and submarine is beyond me. It is an insult to the ship the men who served upon her, and the ship bearing the oldest name in US naval history.
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The Navy was forced to choose which ship to maintain (they can’t maintain them all) and the USS New Jersey didn’t make the cut (for financial reasons, it seems).
The Navy is not in charge of the USS New Jersey; it’s a non-profit which is trying to raise money for its upkeep. Still, Interesting ship with quite the history
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Brian, where are you at the moment, RPAH, Balmain rehab. or respite? Let me know and I’ll drop in for a visit later in the week. Neill.
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You might want to leave this comment on the latest post. Also, get inn touch with Sarah as she’s letting those who ask know what’s going on.
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