How To Watch Battleship New Jersey Make Her Historic Departure From The Camden Waterfront

CAMDEN, NJ — The nation's most-decorated battleship will make history this week, when she leaves the Camden waterfront for the first time in decades. You can celebrate Battleship New Jersey's voyage at the pier, from various spots along the way or by watching the livestream.

The ship, officially named USS New Jersey (BB-62), will leave the waterfront Thursday for dry-docking — a process of removing a ship from the water to enable work below the waterline. USS New Jersey hasn't been dry-docked since the early 1990s.

Dignitaries, veterans and the public will gather on the Camden pier for a free celebration on the day of departure. From there, tugboats will pull her for the first leg of the journey to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal.

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The 61,000-ton, 887-foot ship will finish her voyage March 27, when she'll reach the Philadelphia Naval Yard for major maintenance. USS New Jersey will return to Camden once the work — estimated to take eight weeks — is complete.

In half a century, Battleship New Jersey earned more Battle and Campaign stars (19) than any surviving Navy ship. The ship, now a museum, is one of the state's most-prominent visitor attractions.

Here's how to watch the battleship make her journey in-person or via livestream on Thursday.

Celebration, Departure Times

Here's the schedule for Thursday:

• 10 a.m.: the pier's gates will open
• 11 a.m.: the celebration begins
• 12:10 a.m.: Battleship New Jersey will depart for Paulsboro
• 1-1:30 p.m.: estimated time to pass under the Walt Whitman Bridge
• 4 p.m.: estimated arrival at Port of Paulsboro

Celebration Happenings

The following dignitaries and veterans will speak at the celebration:

• Governor Phil Murphy
• Congressman Donald Norcross
• Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen
• State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin
• Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr.
• Rear Admiral Thomas Anderson
• Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak

The celebration will also feature live entertainment, food, bar service and, of course, the ship's departure from the waterfront.

Parking In Camden

Those driving to the celebration can park for free at Lot #1, across from the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Transportation will be provided from the lot to the Battleship Pier.

Watching The Livestream

Battleship New Jersey will broadcast a livestream of the ship's departure on its social-media pages. The livestream will track the ship's progress from its home dock to the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Public Viewing Areas

The public can watch the ship's journey from several viewing areas: the Camden Waterfront, Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, and the RiverWinds Complex in West Deptford.

There will also be viewing opportunities from Freedom Pier in Gloucester City.

View maps of public-viewing areas below:

Traffic

Expect increased road traffic and pedestrian congestion near the riverfront locations in Camden, National Park and West Deptford. Drivers must follow local traffic patterns and obey all parking laws.

Forecast

The event is weather-dependent. Camden has a sunny forecast for Thursday, although it could be chilly and windy.

As of this writing, the National Weather Service expects a high near 46 and a west wind of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.

For more information, visit Battleship New Jersey's dry-dock webpage.