Spectators Gather Along Delaware River to See Celebrated USS Battleship New Jersey Pass By
Friday, March 22, 2024
CAMDEN CITY, NJ (March 22, 2024)(CNBNews)—On Thursday, March 21, a large crowd gathered at the home of the Battleship New Jersey to watch the historic ship depart for needed maintenance at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Congressman Donald Norcross, and Rear Admiral Tom Anderson each spoke about the Battleship's past and the men who served on it. After the speeches, the crowd rushed towards the river for an advantageous point to watch the ship leave its mooring.
Tugboats from McAllister Towing maneuvered it away from the dock. Once it was turned around, the Battleship moved slowly on the Delaware River toward the Paulsboro Marine Terminal. Crowds gathered at Freedom Pier in Gloucester City, Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, and Eagle Point in West Deptford to view it.
The Battleship will spend six days at that location as workers prepare it for a two-month stay at the Philadelphia Navy Yard; it will be moved on March 27. The Battleship had been moored in Camden City for the past 25 years. It was built at the Naval Shipyard during the late 1930s and launched on December 7, 1942.
At the departure ceremony, Joe Townsend, CNBNews photographer, said it was an uplifting experience.
"All there felt so much pride watching the raising of the flag colors! Cold and windy, but nobody felt it. Rear Admiral Thomas Anderson was a great speaker! He made everyone feel good to be an American! Many in the audience waved the American flag they were hiding. I jumped in the air when the Battleship fired the canon gun without me knowing it, and so did others in the audience. It scared the Be Jesus out of us! An elderly veteran threw a ceremonial reef into the water. I was surprised to receive a free coupon from Wawa, who handed out coupons for free coffee and sandwiches, and Deizt and Watson gave away free hotdogs. We felt so much pride despite the cold and wind that day."
The photos below were taken by Townsend.
photos credit CNBNews photographer Joe Townsend