norfolk battleship tours

Visit the Battleship USS Wisconsin (BB 64) in Norfolk, Virginia

As you look at a battleship, you immediately sense its power. Huge guns, a sleek profile and a superstructure bristling with equipment signal that this ship means business. Battleships dominated the seas from World War I to World War II and served with distinction in the US Navy all the way through Operation Desert Storm. USS Wisconsin (BB 64), the third of four Iowa-class battleships to be built, now rests in honorable deactivated status in Norfolk, Virginia , as part of the Nauticus ​museum complex.

History of the Battleship USS Wisconsin

The battleship USS Wisconsin was commissioned in 1944, three years after her keel was laid in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . USS Wisconsin supported operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II , earning five battle stars. The battleship was decommissioned in 1948. "Wisky" was brought back to life in 1951 to serve in the Korean War , earning another battle star during that conflict. Decommissioned in 1958, USS Wisconsin spent almost 30 years in mothballs before being refitted and recommissioned in 1988. USS Wisconsin served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, maintaining a significant presence in the Persian Gulf, providing critical support to the forces dedicated to liberating Kuwait and earning a Navy Unit Commendation. The mighty battleship proved too expensive to maintain in the face of post-Gulf War budget cuts, and USS Wisconsin was decommissioned once again in 1991.

After spending several years in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the battleship moved to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1996 and to Nauticus shortly thereafter, thanks in large part to the veterans who served on board and the people who developed the concept of a world-class maritime museum in Norfolk. "Wisky" is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the city of Norfolk, Virginia. 

Touring the Battleship USS Wisconsin at Nauticus

To see the battleship, you'll need to head to Nauticus on Waterside Drive in Norfolk, Virginia. This maritime museum includes hands-on exhibits covering the period from the late 1800's to the present day. You can design a ship, help uncover the remains of the Civil War-era USS Monitor with a robot arm and get acquainted with the sea creatures of the Hampton Roads area. Special exhibits focusing on maritime themes and battleships add to the Nauticus experience.

You can take a self-guided tour of two levels of the ship, including the main deck, officers' wardroom, galley, mess deck, chapel and sailors' berthing. Docents are available to answer any questions you might have about the battleship.

If you want to see the ship's bridges, the Captain's stateroom, Admiral's stateroom and Combat Engagement Center, you will need to buy a Gold ticket, which includes a guided tour of these spaces. Your tour will take you up and down ladders (narrow metal stairways) and into cramped areas of the ship; there is no elevator. If you are physically able to take this tour, you will find it quite interesting, as you will be seeing the places where combat decisions were made during the heat of battle.

Special guided tours, which cost extra, are offered three times daily. One of these tours takes you to the spaces included in the Gold ticket. The other takes you to the engine room.

USS Wisconsin's massive superstructure and 16-inch guns, which fired shells weighing 2,700 pounds each, dominate the main deck. The gun turrets could rotate so that all nine guns could fire a full broadside, with a range of up to 23 nautical miles.

As you stand on this meticulously-maintained teak deck, you'll begin to realize that this 887-foot ship was home to nearly two thousand sailors, all trained to work together to achieve a common goal. Sometimes away from home for months at a time, the sailors had "steel beach picnics" on the main deck's helicopter landing area, competed in athletic contests against other ships' crews and drilled, prepared and practiced for engagement with hostile forces. Today, officers and sailors who served aboard Wisky hold reunions in Norfolk every two years so they can share memories, swap sea stories and see their beloved battleship once again.

Tips for Visiting Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin

• Limited handicapped parking is available; call ahead for information. All other visitors will need to park in one of the public (pay) garages near the Nauticus complex. Tip: If a cruise ship is in port, no handicapped parking will be available.
• The museum is wheelchair-accessible, as is the main deck of USS Wisconsin. There are two elevators with second and third floor access.
• The Ship Experience Access Room (SEAR) was developed for visitors that want to experience the Battleship, but are unable to physically take the tour.
• The museum has a few wheelchairs available for visitor use on a first-come, first-served basis. Assisted listening devices are also available.
• Nauticus' Dockside Café serves burgers, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads and Caribbean bowls. It is temporarily closed for renovations.
• The museum's Banana Pier Gift Shop sells souvenirs, books, apparel, toys and more.

Nauticus Address and Contact Information

One Waterside Drive

Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 664-1000

Nauticus' Battleship Wisconsin Website

Nauticus is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours may be limited on other holidays. Call the museum for more information.

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Norfolk Visitor > Things to Do > Battleship Wisconsin

USS Wisconsin Tours

The USS Wisconsin is open for tours in Norfolk, Virginia. The Battleship Wisconsin BB-64 was one of the famous Iowa-class ships. It was commissioned on April 16, 1944 and reported for duty in the Pacific.

The USS Wisconsin helped neutralize Japanese sea, air and ground forces occupying the Philippine Islands. It also supported landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The Battleship Wisconsin's World War II service ended transporting troops back to the US. The Battleship later saw action in the Korean War and during Operation Desert Storm.

Now docked next to Nauticus Museum in Norfolk, the battleship is open to the public. The history of the Battleship Wisconsin is displayed inside Nauticus.

Don't miss a tour of the USS Wisconsin . The main deck and sections of two upper decks are open for you to explore on a self-guided tour. Guided tours of the engine room and command & control areas are available.

Hours of operation are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily (Memorial Day to Labor Day). The rest of the year it is closed on Monday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Saturday) and noon to 5:00 PM (Sunday).

CRUISING TODAY AT 11AM AND 2PM - SEE YOU ON BOARD!

Narrated Norfolk Naval Base Tour

TripAdvisor's #1 Tour in Norfolk

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 2 hours

This Norfolk Harbor Cruise is Your Front Row Seat to the Naval Fleet!

The two-hour Norfolk naval tour departs daily from Nauticus, home of the Battleship Wisconsin. The captain provides an entertaining and fascinating commentary aboard this Coast Guard inspected vessel.

Cruising the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River, tour one of the world’s busiest seaports including the world’s largest naval base, home of the Atlantic Fleet, made up of destroyers, guided missile cruisers, submarines, aircraft carriers and more. Guests enjoy plenty of comfortable seating, an air-conditioned enclosed deck, an open-air shaded upper deck, snack bar, and souvenir shop.

• Chevron down Norfolk Naval Tour Sights

The Victory Rover cruises the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads Harbor.

We cruise past Old Fort Norfolk, The Battleship Wisconsin, Downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth, BAE and Metro Machine Shipyards, Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Coast Guard Station Portsmouth, Craney Island Fuel Depot, Norfolk Southern Coal Piers, Lamberts Point Cargo Terminals, Norfolk International Terminals, and the highlight of the cruise – The Norfolk Naval Station – the world’s largest naval base. Naval Station Norfolk is home to destroyers, aircraft carriers, cruisers, amphibious assault ships, and submarines – just about every type of ship in the Navy’s armada.

During the cruise, we will also see a large amount of harbor traffic including tugboats, barges, yachts and commercial ships.

• Chevron down Victory Rover/Norfolk Battleship Tour Combo Ticket

The Victory Rover/Battleship Wisconsin combo ticket includes a two-hour Naval Base Cruise aboard the Victory Rover as well as admission to Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin. The combo ticket is discounted and no other discounts or coupons may be applied. The combo ticket must be used in one day and can not be split up for different days. You should allow about 2-3 hours for Nauticus and Wisconsin. Nauticus and the Wisconsin close at 5 p.m., so if you choose to cruise at 2 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. you should plan your trip accordingly.  When you arrive please check in at the Victory Rover Ticket Window at Nauticus to get your Battleship Wisconsin admission.

• Chevron down Terms and Conditions

Rover Marine, Inc Terms and Conditions

Thank you for cruising aboard Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises

• Booking party admits a full understanding of the character of the Vessel and assumes all risks incident to travel and transportation. Booking party acknowledges that extra caution should be always taken when moving about the vessel due to the possibility of unexpected movement/motion. Booking party agrees during the cruise to follow the directions of the vessel’s master and crew, and to obey such rules as Vessel Owner or designated master may from time to time promulgate. Booking party agrees to comply with all laws and regulations, and with all onboard health, environmental and safety policies, and procedures.
• When booking it is warranted that all members of the booking party are physically and emotionally fit to travel and engage in cruise related activities at the time of departure.
• Rover Marine will allow for refund or reschedule with 24 hours notice. If we are not sold out and have not started turning people away, we allow refunds or reschedules up until the cruise departs.
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• We are UNABLE to compensate any guests who miss their cruise due to traffic or any other circumstance.  Our cruises depart promptly at their scheduled time – please be sure to allow ample time to park your car and make your way to the ship.
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• Rover Marine reserves the right to refuse service or remove guests from a vessel at any time if determined, in the Captain’s sole discretion, to be necessary (1) for appropriate safety reasons, (2) if a guest causes discomfort, inconvenience, or annoyance to other guests or crew members, or (3) if a guest’s behavior is deemed to threaten the safety, good order or discipline.
• For the safety of our crew and guests, all purses, handbags, and backpacks are subject to search before boarding. Rover Marine reserves the right to not allow any bag, parcel or other item and to deal with any unattended object, bag, backpack, or luggage in such way as Rover Marine considers appropriate. Any Passenger who refuses any such search or screening may be denied boarding or disembarked and no refund of the fare will be issued.
• Weapons, firearms, contraband, ammunition, explosives, incendiary devices, or other dangerous items are strictly prohibited aboard the vessel.
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• The use of illegal or controlled substances, including smoking marijuana, is not permitted at any time. The smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes or other products that produce a vapor or smoke is also prohibited anywhere on board.
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• Passenger shall be liable to and shall reimburse Rover Marine for all damages to the vessel, its furnishings, and equipment, caused directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any misconduct, willful or negligent act or omission on the part of the Passenger or any minors accompanying the passenger.
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• In consideration for the fare paid and services received, it is agreed that Rover Marine shall not be held liable for the intentional or negligent acts of any persons not employed by Rover Marine, and that Rover Marine shall have no liability as a consequence of Passenger’s decision to participate in any recreational activity or event. Rover Marine makes no representations or warranties, implied or otherwise, in regard to the reliability of charterers, caterers, or other independent contractors who may provide services on board the vessel, nor does it assume a duty of safety or responsibility for the independent acts of charterers, independent contractors, their employees or agents.
• Rover Marine shall not be liable to a Passenger for damages for emotional distress, mental suffering/anguish or psychological injury of any kind under any circumstances, except when such damages were caused by the gross negligence or intentional conduct of Rover Marine and resulted from the same passenger sustaining actual physical injury.

These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

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Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus

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Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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The Battleship Wisconsin

1 Waterside Dr Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 664-1000

Description

Berthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Explore its deck through a self-guided tour or, with an additional charge, our guided Topside Tour that will take you back in time to experience this majestic ship that earned five battle stars during WW II.

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Battleship Wisconsin

Category: Museums & Historic Homes

1 Waterside Dr Norfolk, VA 23510 757-664-1000

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Berthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Explore its deck through a self-guided or audio tour that will take you back in time to experience this majestic ship that earned five battle stars during World War II.

Memorial Day-Labor Day: Daily, 10am-5pm; Rest of the year: Closed Mon; Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, Noon-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours subject to weather.

Nearby Dining

• Todd Jurich's Bistro 150 West Main St (425 feet SE)
• Cafe Crema 101 West Main Street (558 feet SE)
• Mermaid Winery 101 Granby St (600 feet SE)
• Benny Damato's 131 Granby St (641 feet E)

Nearby Shopping

• The Banana Pier Gift Shop at Nauticus One Waterside Dr (70 feet SW)
• Selden Optometry 209 Granby St (725 feet E)
• Vino Culture Wine Shop 130 Granby Street (728 feet E)
• Details on Granby 132 Granby Street (743 feet E)

Nearby Attractions

• Nauticus 1 Waterside Dr (118 feet NW)
• Sail Nauticus 1 Waterside Dr (157 feet NW)
• The Homecoming Town Point Park (228 feet S)
• Hampton Roads Naval Museum 1 Waterside Dr (241 feet SE)

Nearby Parking Garages & Surface Lots

• Town Point Garage 110 West Main St (461 feet SE)
• West Plume Street Garage 135 West Plume St (493 feet E)
• Boush Street Garage 112 W. City Hall Ave. (763 feet NE)
• Garage at The Main Hotel 100 East Main St (841 feet E)

These are the last remaining US battleships, now serving as floating museums after modern warfare made them obsolete

• Touting large-caliber guns and torpedos, battleships carried intense firepower and heavy armor.
• With the advancement of military technology, the need for battleships dwindled.
• There are only eight US battleships still afloat, now converted into museum ships.

Having large, heavily armored warships was a tactical advantage in the 20th Century.

But as military technology and weaponry advanced, battleships became obsolete. Battleships were the apex of power in the era when gun battles dominated naval fights, and they still proved useful for decades in firing retrofitted missiles and hammering enemy coasts with guns. Each 16-inch gun could fire a round that weighed around 2,000 pounds.

Less than a dozen battleships are still afloat in the world — eight of which once belonged to the US Navy — now serving as museum ships honoring the historic battles they served in.

USS New Jersey

First launched in December 1942, USS New Jersey , an Iowa-class battleship, earned more battle stars than any other US battleship in history.

Nicknamed "Big J," the New Jersey served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, during which it was the only battleship to be reactivated.

The warship was decommissioned for the last time in 1991, entering the reserve fleet while the details of converting it into a museum ship were being ironed out. In 1999, Congress allowed Big J, under the management of nonprofit Home Port Alliance, to be turned into a museum ship.

Since 2000, Big J has been moored across the channel from USS Olympia, but the museum ship is back on the move for the first time in decades.

On March 20, the New Jersey was moved from its dock in Camden, New Jersey, heading for the Philadelphia Navy Yard for maintenance work.

First launched in May 1912, USS Texas was the oldest battleship afloat in the United States and the last surviving dreadnought in the world.

The New York-class battleship served in both World Wars, undergoing a major overhaul during the interwar period. It was fitted with 14-inch guns and could strike targets up to 13 miles away.

The Texas was decommissioned in 1947 and became the first permanent museum battleship in the US, owned by the people of Texas and administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In August 2022, the ship was towed to Gulf Copper Dry Dock and Rig Repair in Galveston, Texas, to undergo extensive repairs costing more than $20 million.

Earlier this month, the museum ship moved from the dry dock to a nearby wet berth , but more work on the ship's topside is still underway. The ship is set to reopen to the public by the end of next year, the Battleship Texas Foundation said.

USS Massachusetts

The sixth ship to bear the name of the state, USS Massachusetts was known for firing the first and last 16-inch shells of World War II. At 680 feet long, the warship was powered by four steam turbines, giving it a top speed of nearly 28 knots, and could carry three Kingfisher floatplanes.

First launched in September 1941, the South Dakota-class battleship, affectionately dubbed "Big Mamie" by its crew, was armed with nine 16-inch 45-caliber guns, 20 5-inch, 38-caliber dual-purpose guns, and an antiaircraft battery of Bofors guns and Oerlikon autocannon.

The Massachusetts made one of the longest-range gunfire hits against a moving enemy target at a range of 28,000 yards. During the Battle of Casablanca, Big Mamie fired at the French destroyer Milan serving with the naval forces of Vichy — the government that collaborated with Nazi Germany after France's fall — which was fighting to defend French territory near north Africa.

The ship was decommissioned in 1947 and stripped of 5,000 tons of equipment to be used for other naval vessels. At the request of Massachusetts citizens, Big Mamie was donated to the state in 1965 instead of heading to a scrapyard.

Located in Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts, the warship is considered the most unaltered battleship in the world.

USS Alabama

USS Alabama, a South Dakota-class battleship, was launched in 1942 after the US entered World War II. At the height of WWII, the 680-foot warship had a crew of 2,500 members and was the only American ship to be honored by the Soviet Union.

The Alabama's active service was short-lived after the US Navy found it had a surplus of ships following the end of the war, and it entered the Navy's reserve fleet just five years after launching.

Twenty years later, the vessel was struck from the roster in 1962 and destined for the scrapyard until Alabama residents began a campaign to save the ship. The battleship was awarded to the state and preserved by the nonprofit organization, the USS Alabama Battleship Foundation. The ship is permanently moored in Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama.

USS Wisconsin

USS Wisconsin , an Iowa-class battleship, was the second-to-last battleship built by the US and the last battleship to ever fire in combat.

Called "the Wisky" by its crew, the warship served in the Pacific during World War II, later spending a year as a training ship after Japan formally surrendered. It was one of the first ships to be reactivated for the Korean War.

In 1958, the Wisky reentered the reserves for three decades before being recommissioned to participate in the Persian Gulf War. As part of Reagan's naval initiative, the ship was refitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles and drone-based technology.

It was officially decommissioned in 1991 but was chosen to remain battle-ready for emergency situations. In 2006, the Wisky was determined to be too old to modernize and is now permanently moored as a museum battleship in Norfolk, Virginia, which officially owns the vessel since 2010.

USS Missouri

Commissioned in 1944, USS Missouri , nicknamed "Mighty Mo," was the last — and the largest — battleship built for the US Navy.

Might Mo survived the downsizing of the Navy's fleet in the late 1940s, remaining in active service as the only commissioned battleship from 1947 to 1950 at the order of President Harry S. Truman.

In 1955, the Missouri entered the "mothball fleet" and was moored in the naval yard in Bremerton, Washington, open to the public until being reactivated with the rest of the Iowa class in the 1980s.

It was finally decommissioned in 1992 and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association. The ship was towed to Pearl Harbor in 1998, moored less than 500 yards behind the sunken battleship, USS Arizona.

USS North Carolina

The lead ship in its class, USS North Carolina was the first battleship built by the US in nearly two decades — and one of the last battleships ever created.

First launching on June 13, 1940, it was the newest battleship in the US Navy by the time the US entered World War II. The ship measured 728 feet. Its sleek design at the time gave the North Carolina an edge over dreadnought-era warships, making it faster and more maneuverable, reaching speeds of 28 knots.

The North Carolina was fitted with 29 large-caliber guns and several 40 mm and 20 mm antiaircraft guns.

In the 1960s, the ship was placed on the chopping block after the Navy decided only to keep Iowa-class ships in its fleet. The North Carolina was donated to the state and towed to its final resting spot on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina, where it remains open to the public.

USS Iowa, the lead ship in its class , was the last battleship to leave the US Navy. First launched in 1943, the 887-foot battleship was one of four battleships built by the US and was the longest-serving battleship in the Navy's history.

After World War II, the Iowa was briefly decommissioned and added to the reserve fleet before being reactivated during the Korean War. Following the end of the war, the ship reentered the reserves for 24 years.

In the 1980s, the ship was selected for an extensive refitting under President Ronald Reagan's Naval Expansion Initiative. The vessel's antiaircraft guns and secondary batteries were removed and refitted with ballistic missiles.

But in 1989, a massive explosion occurred inside one of the Iowa's turrets, killing 47 crewmen and severely damaging the ship. The blast led to its final decommissioning in 1990.

The ship was officially struck from the roster in 2006, remaining in cold layup until it was donated as a museum ship in 2011. The Iowa left the Navy in 2012. Now operated by the nonprofit, Pacific Battleship Center, the vessel is permanently moored at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California.

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News | Baltimore-bound cruise passengers arrive in Norfolk

NORFOLK — It is safe to say that most of the Carnival Legend cruise passengers did not think their vacation would end this way.

The sun had not yet risen as the cruise ship — which departed Baltimore’s port several days ago — docked at 4 a.m. Sunday at the Half Moon Cruise and Celebration Center. Downtown was quiet, many still asleep or attending a sunrise Easter service, as an impressive fleet of charter buses circled the cruise center. By 6:45 a.m., the ship’s passengers were working on their next phase of travel. For many, that meant a four-hour bus ride back to Baltimore.

Ships typically return to the port from which they leave, but when disaster struck midway through the cruise, staff had to work fast to find a port available to receive vacationers. The solution: Norfolk.

During the trip, officials closed the Port of Baltimore to all incoming and outgoing ship traffic after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning when it was struck by a container ship. The bridge carrying Interstate 695 collapsed in moments, sending several vehicles into the Patapsco River.

Last week, Carnival Cruise Line announced the ship will operate out of Norfolk, and Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will do the same. Each ship can carry more than 2,000 people.

Lines of sun-kissed cruise-goers towing suitcases began to form as the sun crested over the horizon, many donning Carnival-themed attire and fresh sunburns.

The weather Sunday morning in the Mermaid City was likely much different than conditions they were enjoying in the Bahamas just days ago. Cab drivers parked alongside buses, waiting on customers, and some spoke to each other about how Sunday was likely to be a money-maker as cruise passengers opted to rent cars or fly back to Baltimore instead of braving the bus ride.

Sandy Crow, of Manassas, and her sister Kathy Grant, stood outside Nauticus, waiting for Crow’s husband to pick them up. Crow said she heard about the bridge collapse from another passenger.

“What a tragedy,” she said.

Crow said she has been to Norfolk before, highlighting the Norfolk Mac and Cheese Festival, and the two had been celebrating a sisters’ trip together over the past week. After finding out about their future arrival in Norfolk, Crow said driving home was the preferred option.

“The captain and the whole crew was so good communicating with us. Within a day, we knew we where were going to be. It was all handled beautifully,” Crow said. “It’s about three hours (to Manassas). It’s better than taking a bus for four or five hours, and then it would be another two hours. My husband just said, ‘I’ll just drive down there.'”

As cruise ships reroute to Nauticus, the Port of Virginia is ready to receive diverted cargo traffic from the Port of Baltimore. The collapsed bridge blocks the only channel in and out of the port on the Patapsco River.  The port will be unable to receive shipping traffic until the channel is cleared , and stands to lose an estimated $15 million per day in economic activity.

Some passengers who spoke to The Virginian-Pilot said they heard the news of the tragedy from the captain, and the crew handled it the best they could. Despite the tragedy, many said the trip was still a good one although it is ending differently than they had originally planned.

For other passengers, the trip does not even end in Baltimore. Jackie Plum and her family took their Spring Break trip out of Baltimore, but they are actually from Michigan.

“When they announced that the the bridge collapsed, I think the cruise ship handled it really well. They made it as stress free as possible,” she said. “We kind of changed our plans at the last minute because so (the reroute) is adding, like, an extra four hours to our drive. Now, we have to go four hours back to Baltimore and then eight hours to Michigan. We were trying to get off the ship as fast as we can, and at the last minute, we decided to rent a car at the airport.”

For the foreseeable future, Norfolk will be welcoming more passengers, including a Royal Caribbean cruise later this week on April 4.

“You know what? Stuff happens,” Crow said. “The only thing I’m upset about is people lost their lives.”

Eliza Noe, [email protected]

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Want to walk beneath a massive battleship? Here’s how to take a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ tour.

• Published: Mar. 31, 2024, 9:01 a.m.

• Nyah Marshall | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

As the Battleship New Jersey sits in the dry dock at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for the next two months undergoing maintenance, the public will be able to tour underneath the iconic vessel for the first time in its long history.

Earlier this month, the battleship left its home port on the Camden waterfront after nearly 25 years of serving as a museum. It was towed away by tugboats to start a multi-month repair journey. The sendoff was attended by hundreds, including Gov. Phil Murphy and veterans who served on the ship.

The USS New Jersey arrived in Philadelphia Wednesday after a stop in Paulsboro for a ballasting project, which involved flooding its tanks with 500,000 gallons of water to balance the vessel in preparation for dry docking.

While at the Navy Yard, the battleship will be out of the water, offering viewers a rare chance to tour beneath its massive hull. Tours will run almost every Saturday and Sunday in April and May, starting April 6, according to battleship museum officials.

Dry dock tour tickets and can be purchased through the Battleship New Jersey museum’s website for $225. The tour is limited to people ages 16 or older. Veterans who served on the battleship can get discounted tickets for $170.

As of Thursday, over 1,700 tickets have been sold and the first tour date on April 6 is sold out.

The ship currently sits up on about 360 blocks, a few feet off the ground, officials said.

Guided tours will provide an opportunity to witness the ship and its propellers out of the water, and allow visitors to learn more about its history and significance, said Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey.

“You’re literally going to be able to walk underneath the ship, touch underneath of the ship, the hull and be able to walk around on the floor of the dry dock itself,” Spevak said.

The historic battleship USS New Jersey was towed from a temporary berth in Paulsboro to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where it was placed in dry dock for maintenance. Phil McAuliffe

Visitors will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing restoration and repair work on the ship as it prepares to return to Camden.

Workers will repaint the ship’s hull, fix the anti-corrosion system underneath the ship and inspect the through-hull openings. The ship’s aluminum anodes, which are used to protect metal structures from corroding, will also be replaced.

Decommissioned museum ships must undergo dry docking for maintenance every 20 years, according to Navy regulations. However, it has been 33 years since Battleship New Jersey underwent maintenance, Spevak said.

Because the Philadelphia Navy Yard is an active outdoor worksite, visitors on tours are asked to dress appropriately, including wearing steel-toed shoes and sturdy pants. A commemorative branded hat and protective eyewear will be provided for free on the tour, officials said.

The Battleship New Jersey is known as the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history. It’s the fastest, longest Navy battleship and has served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf wars.

The Philadelphia Navy Yard is the site where the battleship was originally constructed and launched in 1942, just a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Once the dry-docked repairs are complete, the ship will return home to Camden, where it will once again serve as a living museum and a memorial to those who served aboard the battleship.

Stories by Nyah Marshall

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Nyah Marshall may be reached at [email protected]

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Battleship Wisconsin Turns 80: Let's Celebrate

If you’ve been waiting for the opportune moment to visit Battleship Wisconsin – Norfolk’s resident testament to 20th Century American sea power – well, a birthday is as good as any!

The ship, launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944, officially turns 80 this year and its keepers are prepping for a monthlong party for this craft that saw action in World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War.

From April 1-30, Nauticus will be packed with a full calendar of events and programs honoring the Wisconsin’s rich history. Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights:

Birthday Bash & Ice Cream Workshop (April 13)

Mingle with Wisconsin veterans, explore the ship with enhanced programs, and even learn the fascinating connection between ice cream and World War II victory at a special workshop! VIP tours available on April 14.

Nauticus After Dark: Battleship Blast! (April 25)

This exclusive 21+ event lets you enjoy the Battleship’s stunning views and historic features after-hours, complete with themed drinks and the Battleship Wisconsin Commemorative bottle of Ironclad Bourbon.

Battleship Birthday Family Overnight (April 27)

Spend an unforgettable night aboard the battleship! This unique experience includes a VIP tour, engaging activities, and breakfast in the historic wardroom – perfect for families of all ages.

Free Military Admission (April 1-30)

Nauticus is partnering with World of Warships to offer complimentary admission to active duty and veteran service members, with discounts for dependents.

More Ways to Celebrate

If that’s not enough, April promises even more fun for everyone.

• Daily Programs: Take a guided tour of the battleship, learn to sail, or catch a special “WisKy Wednesday” program on the Nauticus YouTube channel.
• The Norfolk Grille’s .80 Cent Specials: Throughout April, enjoy rotating specials priced at just 80 cents!
• April Toddler Time: Bring your little ones (ages 3 and under) for a special educational program celebrating the Battleship’s commissioning.

For details on these programs, head over to the Nauticus website: Battleship Wisconsin Turns 80! for start times and to purchase tickets.

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William Delahunt, congressman who eased international adoption, dies at 82

The seven-term massachusetts democrat also negotiated with venezuelan leader hugo chávez to import heating oil for low-income families in his state during winter.

Former U.S. congressman William Delahunt, a seven-term Massachusetts Democrat who helped ease international adoption and negotiated with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez to import heating oil for low-income families, died March 30 at his home in Quincy, Mass. He was 82.

His death was announced by the office of a family spokesman, George K. Regan Jr. The statement did not cite a specific cause.

Mr. Delahunt served on the Quincy City Council, in the Massachusetts State House and for two decades as district attorney in Norfolk County, on the outskirts of Boston, before winning election to Congress in 1996 at age 55. His congressional district included the South Shore of Boston as well as Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Remarking on his already long career, Boston Globe columnist Thomas Oliphant jokingly described the newly elected Mr. Delahunt as “one of my favorite freshman congressmen, mostly because … he’s like a freshman in college who has already done a tour in the Marines and spent a couple of years working construction.”

Peter Ubertaccio, a professor of political science at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., described Mr. Delahunt as “an old-school urban Democrat” but one who “worked easily and often with Republicans” — a profile that aligned him well with his generally Democratic district, which also included more conservative towns along the coast.

Henry J. Hyde, an Illinois Republican who chaired the Judiciary Committee during part of Mr. Delahunt’s service on the panel, told the Globe that while “some of the amendments we get are offered for purely political purposes to make a statement or otherwise are off the wall,” Mr. Delahunt brought a “level of common sense.”

Mr. Delahunt, who also served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, combined his international expertise and concern for constituents in 2005 when he helped broker a deal with Chávez to ship millions of gallons of discounted home-heating oil for use by low-income Massachusetts families during frigid New England winters.

He dismissed the controversy that ensued over his engagement with Chávez, an authoritarian left-wing president and fierce critic of the United States.

“I made an effort to secure a similar program from Exxon, from Chevron, from all of the major American oil companies and was met with either silence or a polite no,” Mr. Delahunt told the Globe in 2011. “The choice between being criticized by some or having brokered that agreement — that’s an easy choice.”

Also on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Delahunt was among the members of Congress who supported the loosening of Cold War-era restrictions on Cuba.

“The work I really reveled in was the stuff with international implications,” he told the Globe when he stepped down in 2011. “Opening up the debate on Cuba, on the fact that what we have is a failed policy, and making efforts to improve the image of the United States worldwide in the aftermath of the Iraq War.”

Mr. Delahunt was known as a chief advocate for the Child Citizen Act of 2000, which eliminated bureaucratic obstacles for American families seeking to obtain U.S. citizenship for children they adopted abroad.

He had experienced those bureaucratic struggles firsthand when he and his then-wife adopted their daughter Kara in 1975 during Operation Babylift, the evacuation from Saigon, in the waning days of the Vietnam War, of Vietnamese children who had been placed in orphanages.

William David Delahunt was born in Quincy on July 18, 1941. His father was a salesman for the U.S. Rubber Co., and his mother was a secretary for the municipal government.

Mr. Delahunt received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1963 and a law degree from Boston College in 1967.

He practiced law while beginning his career on the Quincy City Council and then in the Massachusetts State House. Gov. Michael S. Dukakis (D) appointed him as Norfolk County’s top prosecutor in 1975.

Ubertaccio described Mr. Delahunt as an “innovative prosecutor” who focused on sexual assault and domestic violence cases before those crimes “pierced the public consciousness.” He also was credited with establishing a civil rights unit.

“He makes it impossible for them to say Democrats are soft on crime,” then-U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a fellow Massachusetts Democrat and Judiciary Committee member, told the Globe of Mr. Delahunt in 1997. “Billy has locked up more people than everyone else on the committee put together. He is a liberal with his head on his shoulders.”

Mr. Delahunt won his congressional seat, which had been vacated by the retirement of Rep. Gerry E. Studds (D), after a contentious primary recount.

Former state representative Philip W. Johnston was initially determined to have won the Democratic nomination, but weeks before the November general election, a Superior Court judge examined hundreds of challenged ballots and declared Mr. Delahunt the winner by 108 votes.

Mr. Delahunt defeated the Republican challenger in 1996, Massachusetts House Minority Leader Edward Teague, and never faced a serious reelection battle thereafter.

Mr. Delahunt’s marriage to Kati Hermani ended in divorce. Survivors include his fiancée, Julie Pagano of Quincy; two daughters from his marriage, Kirsten Delahunt of the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston and Kara Delahunt Bobrov of Milton, Mass.; and two grandchildren.

After his retirement from Congress, Mr. Delahunt opened a consulting and lobbying firm that at times attracted scrutiny for fees received from clients who had been the beneficiaries of federal funds he had helped secure while he was in office. Mr. Delahunt insisted that his work allowed him to remain active in areas of public affairs where he had expertise and passion.

He said that he would have retired from Congress earlier had it not been for the intercession of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), a close friend and, as it happened, one of his constituents, as a resident of Hyannis Port, on Cape Cod.

“What have you done for me lately?” Mr. Delahunt recalled Kennedy asking him in jest. “Hey, I need someone to cut my grass!”

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Battleship Overnights

Come spend the night on the historic battleship Wisconsin ! Enjoy informal conversations with enlisted Navy volunteers and retired naval officers. Hear personal stories, ask questions, and see areas of the ship not open to the general public.

Visiting the area on a family vacation or are you local looking for something unique and fun to do with the kids? Stay aboard the historic battleship for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Explore areas of the ship not open to the public with naval experts, then sleep in the original berthing! See how our military lived and fought for our great country!

Included: Overnight aboard the battleship, a VIP guided tour of the ship with our experienced tour guides and close the evening with activities and a movie. In the morning enjoy breakfast in the Officers Wardroom.

*We must have a minimum of 6 campers (1 family or group together) to proceed with the Family/Adult Overnight, and a maximum of 24 campers total for the evening. Children must be 4 years and up and always supervised. The Battleship is not baby-proof in any way. Dates depend on Battleship availability, year around, weekends, and weekdays.

Do you have a youth group looking for something unique and fun to do? Enjoy a tour of the ship with enlisted Navy volunteers and retired Navy Officers. Hear personal stories, ask questions, and see areas of the ship not open to the public. Your group will have a team building activity geared for all ages and close the night with a movie.

Included: Overnight aboard the battleship, a VIP guided tour of the ship with our experienced tour guides and close the evening with activities and a movie. In the morning enjoy breakfast in the Officers Wardroom. Your group will also receive free admission to Nauticus and the battleship the day of your Overnight.

*We must have a minimum of 25 campers and a maximum of 140 campers total for the evening. *Children must be 5 years and up and always supervised. *Dates depend on Battleship availability, year around, weekends, and weekdays.

Are you a local or out-of-town business looking for something unique and fun with teambuilding exercises? Book your corporate retreat aboard the battleship!

Included: Overnight aboard the battleship, a VIP guided tour of the ship with our experienced tour guides and a teambuilding activity. In the morning enjoy breakfast in the Officers Wardroom.

Add on: Dinner in the Officer’s Wardroom (dining room), alcohol may also be requested in advance. A/V equipment available upon request.

* We must have a minimum of 25 campers and a maximum of 140 campers total for the evening. *Children must be 5 years and up and always supervised. *Dates depend on battleship availability, year around, weekends, and weekdays.

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