Battleship Dry Dock Departure Celebration was Historical! March 22, 2024

To quote Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, “WOW!”  The Departure Celebration  was a phenomenal time!   Thanks to the over 1,000 people who came out to experience the celebration and watch the Battleship be moved for the first time in over 22 years.  The site of her pushing away from the pier and turning around on the Delaware River was unbelievable!  A link to a time lapse video of the Battleship on March 21 is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qo47BlPZgoA 

A special thank you to the participants in the Battleship Dry Dock Departure Celebration goes to speakers during the celebration, which included NJ Gov. Phil Murphy, Con. Don Norcross, RADM Thomas Anderson USN, NJ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin,  Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr.,  Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, Master Chief Keith Cameron USN of the Submarine New Jersey (SSN-796), LCDR Chaplain James Johnson USN, and Battleship CEO Marshall Spevak.

Thanks also go to the Capt. Joe Benton and McAllister Towing, Creative Arts High School Jazz Band, String Band and Choir, Battleship volunteer and bugler Nan LaCorte, Navy Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 64 Honor Guard, Navy WWII veteran and Battleship volunteer John Quinesso Sr., Ken Kersch and the Battleship Gun Crew, Dietz & Watson for complimentary hot dogs, Wawa for complimentary merchandise, Pine Tavern Distillery and Farmers & Bankers Brewing for complimentary samples, Andreotti’s for bar service,  Donkey’s Place for cheesesteaks and everyone who had a role in the Departure event.

And a very very special Thank You goes to the Battleship’s volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to make the Departure Celebration and the Dry Dock Project possible!  Bravo Zulu!

Please join us at the Pier for the Battleship’s return event sometime in late May or June!  More details to follow!