Welcome home party celebrates return of Battleship New Jersey in Camden
CAMDEN, New Jersey (WPVI) -- The newly painted and repaired USS New Jersey had quite the homecoming on Thursday afternoon.
After nearly 12 weeks away from the Camden waterfront, the historic vessel traveled very slowly along the Delaware River.
Known lovingly as the original Jersey girl, the Battleship New Jersey was built by residents of South Jersey and Philadelphia more than 80 years ago - right at the Navy Yard .
After maintenance and a makeover there, she is back at home.
The ship spent about three months in dry dock, then made its way to Paulsboro last week.
On Thursday, it made the final leg of its voyage, traveling up the Delaware River and under the Walt Whitman Bridge.
"She is the most decorated battleship in U.S. naval history - she has 19 battle stars. She is most well-known for fighting in World War II," said Lisa Conte, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for the Battleship New Jersey.
Veronica Ferrick's husband, Joe, was assigned to the USS New Jersey during World War II.
"On Tuesday morning, we got up and came out from Chicago to be part of this wonderful celebration here," said Ferrick, a resident of Illinois.
A celebration for all, rich in history and national pride.
"It stands here for the new generations to come," said Battleship New Jersey board member Patricia Egan Jones.
The new paint job, with a third extra layer of paint, should allow for the battleship to go without another massive maintenance project for another 35 years.
