Can Battleship NJ Still Move Under Her Own Power?

I found your channel because my husband was a sailor on the battleship New Jersey in the late 80's, he died two years ago, but he loved his ship so much that he had it tattooed on his right arm. Timothy always wanted to take me to see his boat and I followed the news about it, which continues to reach what was his email account, so I found the news of this event that I would like to be able to go and witness. I wish you the best, thank you for preserving this wonderful piece of history of the country that my husband served and loved.

The people who know how to operate the ship are now 50 years old or older. When New Jersey was last returned to service there was a call for sailors who served on the ship during Vietnam and Korea. Institutional knowledge, the stuff that isn't in the instructions, is disappearing fast.

I am a licensed USCG Engineer, near 70 years old. One of the steamboats I was on was built during WW2, (the SS Green Forest). The very high steam pressure and temperatures that are on the main steam lines would at a minimum require many hp gaskets to be replaced after sitting for so many years. And you would need an experienced er crew that knew how to startup, and operate 8 boilers simultaneously 24/7. That said, the US Navy should keep at least one of these mighty steamships running, and moving on goodwill tours.

I feel honored to have been on the New Jerseys last West Pac deployment and to have seen her fire her 16 inch cannons from a mile away. BM2 Cox USS Wabash AOR-5 1984-88

I think there's really small print that allows them to reactivate the ships if the world is about to be destroyed by aliens. (I know Ryan hates that movie, but the battle scene is SO cool, especially the actual veterans manning their stations.)

C’mon! In the movie Battleship they had the Mighty Mo fired up and underway in just a few minutes, can’t be that hard!

I was a Gunners Mate on the USS Missouri BB63 center gun turret two . You guys are doing a great job . we were both docked at long beach great times.

That was a GREAT talk!!! 👍 Thank you! I was an engineer on nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and served on the GW during Operation Southern Watch. I really enjoy any solid Navy-related nostalgia! These “museum ships” have such purpose that it truly cannot be understated! I will never forget the very first time that I got to tour the USS Intrepid in NYC when I was a young boy. I also still remember that day maybe a decade-or-so later when I got my first orders to a carrier and “went up” to just look around and appreciate it! I was on the catwalk and in awe thinking “Wow! Now, I made it!” 😊 There are certain people that will simply be sailors for life as you just can’t take the Navy out of them. 25 years after my honorable discharge, I still talk about it as if it was yesterday. Much of that awe was instilled in me during that tour of the Intrepid. These ships help bring the next generation of sailors and officers into the Navy as those destined to serve will ‘simply know’ the day they board their first naval vessel. Anywho, that was a fun trip down memory lane! I will definitely be tuning-in for more. I am a 100% [VA Certified] Disabled Vet, so getting to see her in person is no longer so easy for me even though I live only about an hour away. I will also try to make a donation because I am truly passionate about your cause! That said, you are very knowledgeable, did you have the opportunity to serve as a sailor or officer as well? I’m just curious, but you have my utmost respect either way! 🇺🇸🫡 Update: I made a $50 donation. Happy New Year! 👍

Has the navy expressed interest in inspecting the ship while in drydock? New Jersey could be a good test subject to see what mothballing work has been successful over the last 30 years, and apply that to ships in the active fleet going into mothballs in the future.

Been here since the pandemic and just fell in love with this ship and your dedication to it Ryan.

Here in San Francisco, SS Jeremiah O'Brian is billed as a functional liberty ship. Other WWII boats like the USS Pampanito and USS Hornet overlook the SF bay, but SS O'Brian can actually sail under her own steam, and that is very impressive.

1982 west of Hawaii, I was a radarman on board USS Fox CG-33 we had become one of her MANY sisterships and were meeting her for the first time. Someone on the other side of CIC yelled out "max out your range." I didn't ask why, just did it. 25 miles was normal range on SPS 40. At about FORTY MILES there was a HUGE thick return. Never seen anything paint like that. I got some one to sit on my scope and went to the signal bridge to watch. Scary big. I wish all the flat-earthers could have seen its approach. First mast, then superstructure, then MORE superstructure, then MORE! By the time it got within 12miles (horizon) it looked impossibility close. Our little 440ft aluminum guided missle cruiser was like a TOY compared to her majesty. Got goosebumps thinking about it. Was an honor being air picket for her

I really cant stress this enough. The audio quality has really gone up on the videos' in the last 18 months. And that makes the channel a heck of a lot more enjoyable to watch.

I served on USS Ranger CV-61 from 1980 to 1984 and she had a steam plant similar too, though more advanced, then New Jersey's. After 30 years, I can't imagine that ANY of the gaskets for any of the joints or valves are still good. There are hundreds of thousands of these seals and I think ALL of them would have to be replaced. That said, the Navy still operates a few steam powered ships. 6 of the remaining Wasp class LHD's are still in service and are powered by steam plants similar to New Jersey's. So, the knowledge at least, is still there.

Thanks for continuing updates. I have followed along while in the hospital and other facilities from September 17 to February 8th due to ill health and started back up a few says ago.

You have the coolest freaking job ever, this summer I want to come see the battleship and meet you, you’re a personal hero in the sense that you are so committed and so devoted to the care of this beautiful ship. It means so much to so many service members.

Even if it is not disabled, Ryan had shown us how the museum had substituted parts of the steam plant with similar in appearance but not rated as the replaced parts. So in short, it is very dangerous to operate the steam plant. Even if the Navy re-acquires it, since the ship was discommissioned before the implementation of Level 1 requirements for high pressure steam plants, it will be a huge challenge to make it Level 1 compliant.

Been around since the beginning. Had a number friends who served on her in a number of her deployments. She is an elegant ship.

I'm honored that my family and I were able to visit such a legendary battleship a few years ago before being restored again..

My dad served on a battleship (USS Maryland, BB46), so I am curious about Battleships. I totally understand everything said on this segment. I know that the Maryland was an older ship, but I still love learning new things about theses ships.