American Battleship Museum Storymap

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Established on August 14, 1965, Battleship Cove is the largest collection of US Naval ships in the world. This museum houses different battleships, a destroyer, a submarine, and PT boats as well as many different types of naval exhibits. The USS Massachusetts is one of the main attractions of Battleship Cove. This particular ship was the first American ship to fire a 16" projectile. The ships located here presents stories of America's past and allows visitors to take a trip back in time. The Cove's maritime museum provides educational programs, community programs, and different events.

2. Battleship New Jersey Museum

The Battleship New Jersey Museum was developed to preserve the famous USS New Jersey at its permanent resting place in Camden, New Jersey. The Iowa-class battleship was introduced during World War II and also saw action in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Lebanese Civil War. With a total of 19 battle and campaign stars, it is the most decorated battle ship in the U.S. Navy’s history. The New Jersey was decommissioned for the final time in 1991. In 2000 the ship was moved to Camden and converted into a floating museum. Today the ship remains open to the public and offers interactive tours, meeting spaces, educational programs, and overnight stays. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. Independence Seaport Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum is an exhibit of warships along with various other artifacts and information involving the Delaware River. The museum is located right along the river on Pennsylvania's side at 211 South Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia PA. The Museum was founded in 1961 but the history that will be discussed dates all the way back to 1639. This port is significant because of its early involvement in the importation of slaves into what is now Pennsylvania. William Penn played an important role in all of this for he is one of the main reasons Pennsylvania was such an early advocate against slavery. The Independence Seaport Museum lies on such a historical site. The Museum offers various tours of the war ships they have (via online appointment) at $18.00.

4. Nauticus Museum

Located on Norfolk's downtown waterfront, Nauticus is 120,000 square-foot science and technology museum dedicated to naval history and science. The museum includes many exhibits on maritime technology, and emphasizes interactive experiences--including "real-time" information on ships going past the museum, and escape rooms on board the real USS Wisconsin, one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy.

5. USS North Carolina

The USS North Carolina, presently stationed in Wilmington, NC, and labeled a Historic Site, was the lead ship of all North Carolina-class battleships and earned 15 battle stars, making it the most decorated American battleship of WWII. It was used in battle situations between 1941 and 1947 and screened aircraft carriers from air attack and supported troops ashore using close air support in the Pacific theater. Today, the USS North Carolina is a self-guided museum that is available to all including seniors, students, teachers and military personnel, offering educational programs, behind the scenes tours and personal events. The history behind this battleship, and the men who served aboard, are what make it an official NC Historic Site.

6. USS Texas

The National Historic Landmark USS Texas is permanently docked at this location as a state historic site. It was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company and launched on May 18, 1912. It received 5 Battle Star Awards before being decommissioned 21 April 1948. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Battleship Texas Foundation assists in raising financial assistance and historical awareness about the ship. Visitors are allowed to tour certain parts of the ship, however special tours do allow access to closed off areas.

7. Battleship USS Iowa Museum

Battleship USS Iowa was launched on August 27, 1942 and was the first of a new fleet of "fast" battleships. It was also the lead ship in the last class of U.S. Navy warships to be built by the United States. It served from World War II until 2011 with periods of deactivation. It is now operated as a naval museum in the Los Angeles World Cruise Center.

8. USS Missouri

The USS Missouri is an American battleship that is best-known for its role as the site of the ceremony that ended the war between the United States and Japan. Representatives of the Japanese Emperor signed a document that signaled their former surrender on September 2, 1945. The ship was one of many built in World War and was commissioned in 1944 by the daughter of Missouri resident and Vice-President Harry Truman. The ship saw action in several battles in the Pacific, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The Missouri was also instrumental in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. It now serves as a battleship memorial and is moored at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

9. USS Arizona

The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor commemorates the 1,102 of the 1,117 sailors lost on December 7, 1941, the day that would live on in infamy and propel the United States into WWII. Over 1 million people visit the memorial annually. It is only accessible by boat and is built over the hull of the USS Arizona. The vessel was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

This Tour is a Digital Story Map.

American Battleship Museum Storymap

Created by Kyle Warmack on January 14th 2018, 10:17:04 am.

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A nationwide tour of museum battleships. Since World War II, American seapower has been virtually unchallenged around the world. Her battleships have often been the symbol of that power, despite the fact that they were relatively obsolete by the end of World War 2--aircraft carriers and guided missiles made it difficult for the floating battlewagons to compete. This tour only includes existing museum ships, not memorials of bygone vessels (which deserve a tour all their own). An exception is made for USS Olympia--technically only a "protected cruiser." However, this vessel, which served as Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay, was the most powerful ship in the US fleet at the time and the direct ancestor of WW1 and WW2's "true" battleships. She is included to provide a more comprehensive perspective on battleship development.

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American Battleship Museum Storymap

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