New Jersey Battleship was on our summer vacation bucket list. This is our second visit to the battleship. Sidhu had memories about the ship visit but Esha was too young to remember anything. So on Saturday 8th July after lunch, we decided to go to NJ Battleship. Again we got the pass from the library. At the time we reached the parking lot just opposite the Aquarium rain began, heavy rain.
We waited in the building looking at weather updates on our phones. Like us, there were many others too from different countries waiting for the rain to subside. There were some live events outside the building opposite that and got out of the building.
After a few steps, we returned to the building and waited for another couple of minutes. The last entry was 4 pm and we need to walk to the battleship to reach there, so we parked the car a little away from the ship. Without much thought, we four walked through the rain, drenching ourselves along the way. And on the way, I was a little doubtful whether they will be closed for the day as it is raining, but we got an entry to the AMERICA’S MOST DECORATED BATTLESHIP (USS New Jersey (BB-62) — United States Navy Battleship). The Battleship will allow guests to pull the trigger and fire a salute from the ship’s saluting gun and we heard one sound as we entered the ship. We saw exhibits of artifacts from the largest battleship’s past, and we are put into the exhibit as we go through the tour route.
Admiral Halsey commanded the biggest battleship and the 5th Fleet. He was known for his aggressive tactics and decisive leadership style. Stretch out on the bunks where the sailors slept. Esha too lay down on one. According to rank, officers were given different rooms and there was dining too. Full tours of the Battleship New Jersey are physical and require climbing and descending steep steps (called ladders by the Navy).
The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial provide an up-close look at the nation’s military history. There were people of all ages and interests and we all enjoyed our visit to this floating U.S. Navy museum of the nation’s largest battleships ever built. From World War II to Korea, Vietnam, and active duty during the 1980s, this is among the can’t-miss U.S. Navy museum ships open to the public today. A wealth of history is waiting for us at the battleship. But we didn’t get a chance to see the inside of the gun turret.
We had a good and informative time at the battleship and by the time we end our tour we saw a bus full of kids. They carry bags and everyone wore white T-shirts. They are campers who stay at the battleship that night. And the rain was pouring all through the way back home.
