Battleship New Jersey Gets Stuck In Point Pleasant Canal

The Battleship New Jersey, the most decorated ship in United States Naval history, is stuck in the Point Pleasant Canal.

For the past 19 years, the retired Battleship New Jersey has been a museum in Camden. Unfortunately, current economic difficulties forced the museum to close temporarily. Since the docking fees in Camden are extremely costly, the museum's management wanted to find a less expensive alternative. Retired Naval Commander Jonah "Skipper" Schiff, a Point Pleasant native, thought that a dock on the Manasquan River would make a great temporary home. Things just didn't go as planned.

"It was just a slight miscalculation," explains Commander Schiff. "Our plan had been to bring the great lady up the coast and straight into the Manasquan River. Our weather expert, Professor Storm Vento and his assistant, Finn Marian, predicted smooth sailing, but the Professor and Marian were wrong,  A nor'easter came up from the sou'west." The unexpected storm caused some problems for the skeleton crew moving the ship. "The weather started getting rough and the mighty ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the skeleton crew, the New Jersey could have been lost."

The Skipper made a quick decision to get the New Jersey into safe harbor and off the sea. He steered her up the Barnegat Bay towards Point Pleasant. For early risers along the Bay, it was an incredible sight. "Everyone was so happy to see the great ship. You should have heard the howls as we gingerly moved her up the bay," said Schiff. 

The Skipper knew that the hardest part of the trip would be navigating through the narrow Point Pleasant canal, but his years of experience led him to believe they could do it. "We were doing ok, at first," he said. "We were going very slowly as we started into the canal. I still think we could have made it if not for the bird strike." Bird strike is a term used when birds crash into an airplane, or in this case a ship.


Commander Schiff  explained that a gull crashed into a window on the bridge. The bird bounced off unharmed, but it was enough for the helmsman to momentarily lose concentration. The huge ship veered slightly to the right and got wedged along the base of the bulkhead. That's where the ship is still sitting, just before the Bridge Ave. bridge. 

"The ship is unharmed, but she's stuck pretty good," said the Skipper. "We're going to have to bring in some tugs and try to back her out." The New Jersey will have to remain in place for at least a couple of days, then she will be moved back to sea and up the Manasquan river. Commander Schiff hopes this time will go better.

"We came so close, but we'll get her where she belongs soon enough. I just better not see that gull again!" said the Skipper.




Comments

  1. John johnsomSeptember 14, 2020 at 4:14 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. John johnsomSeptember 14, 2020 at 4:32 PM

    The timing of this months Strawberry moon and a large tropical low pressure system off the coast have created unusually strong currents in the canal. As a result of the strong currents, several rescue vessels including tugboats that arrived on scene from Port Newark and a coastguard cutter from Manasquan we’re just swept into the battleship and capsized. The resulting blockage has caused a water levels in the canals to rise rapidly causing flooding in adjacent neighborhoods

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. disneymomSeptember 15, 2020 at 6:01 PM

      Did they move it??

      Delete
    2. SISeptember 18, 2020 at 3:46 PM

      No they are going to make it into a bar to compliment all the summer drunks that come to the shore.

      Delete
    3. P.E. DormontOctober 5, 2020 at 8:00 PM

      I must have missed the rising waters news! That is great!! Governor Murphy should be super pleased to know that his plan is working. I read in the Incumbent Press that moving the New Jersey into the canal was his plan to bottle it up and keep the Bay from emptying into the Atlantic through the Inlet. Manasquan and Point Pleasant should be ecstatic that the Summer Bennies will still have a bay to use for recreation and spending loads of taxable cash.

      Delete
  3. UnknownSeptember 14, 2020 at 5:38 PM

    I am so sorry to hear you had to shut down, why couldn't the Battleship New Jersey get some of that COVID 19 funding. What a disgrace.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2020 at 5:38 PM

    Is this for real?

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2020 at 5:52 PM

    This live webcam shows the Ship Still in Camden NJ.....http://battleshipcams.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2020 at 6:15 PM

    Ummm, New Jersey is still tied up to her pier in Camden. This is a bunch of rubbish.

    ReplyDelete
  7. PantherliciousSeptember 14, 2020 at 6:26 PM

    This is the coolest thing to happen in Point Pleasant since Antonella Barber

    ReplyDelete
  8. BrianSeptember 14, 2020 at 7:19 PM

    This is fake please site where you got this information from

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P.E. DormontSeptember 16, 2020 at 7:29 PM

      Please cite where you learned to use the word site.

      Delete
  9. DrewSeptember 14, 2020 at 9:02 PM

    Impossible! First, there was not "Nor'easter in NJ last week. Second, you just don't pull up anchor and sail away with a ship that size that was turned into a museum. There's months of preparation not to mention Coast Guard involvement. Lastly...you CANNOT sail an Iowa class Battleship into the Point Pleasant Canal. That ship has difficulty in the Panama canal. And in tight quarters they would use tugs. Also that ridiculous story of a bird flew into the windshield cause the boatswain to veer out if the chanel. These ships don't turn like a small 24ft. Chris craft boat. What the next story from the Beacon?; Giant ape climbs Empire State building?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark CSeptember 15, 2020 at 10:54 AM

      Skipper, Professor and Marian, Howls, Gingerly, Gull Again :)

      Delete
    2. Capt Jack SpleemSeptember 15, 2020 at 9:04 PM

      What!?! You don’t believe the skipper and Mariann? Gull ible ?

      Delete
  10. MikeSeptember 14, 2020 at 9:21 PM

    These comments are fascinating.... completely fascinating...

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2020 at 9:37 PM

    Does anyone remember Gilligans Island? Go back...read it again...particularly the bold typed words and the phrase "The weather started getting rough and the mighty ship was tossed." Go ahead sing it. pretty cute

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownSeptember 14, 2020 at 9:59 PM

    Lightened my day. Thanks for the fun.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mark CSeptember 15, 2020 at 10:51 AM

    Brilliant! Was actually about to take a drive over to Bridge Ave, then I read the article. Nice job :).

    ReplyDelete
  14. GUNKSeptember 15, 2020 at 9:43 PM

    Drew..really?

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownSeptember 17, 2020 at 2:48 PM

    Hey , That would make a great place to catch big blackfish without getting hung on the ledge. And BTW- I am not the Drew from above gang. I am the original Drew from Dunkle!

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownMay 23, 2021 at 5:39 PM

    That was a great spoof . However it would be a great local attraction for the area. And having knowledge of the area's history of Forts and Bases.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Express" Federal Prison to Open in Point Beach

Image
On the corner of Arnold Ave. and River Ave, in Point Pleasant Beach is an empty building known as Arnold Hall.  The old building has been without tenants for quite a while, but now someone is finally moving in. It may be somewhat of a shock to learn that the building will be used as a federal prison. "It will actually be a what is called an 'express' federal prison," said Warden Shawn Shank. "It will be a small prison used to temporarily hold prisoners, usually when they are being transported for some reason."  Warden Shank explained that Point Pleasant was the perfect location. "You have a train station, easy access to multiple airports, and it's close to major highways. We can even bring in fugitives by boat if we have to." Warden Shank will be running the small prison with Director Red Emption. Together, Shawn Shank, Red Emption, and a few corrections officers will oversee up to 8 prisoners. "Our aim is to make this a model penal instit
Read more

Former NY Giant Tommy DeVito Will Be At Livoti's Grand Opening

Image
After what seems like forever, Brick is finally getting an Italian grocery store. When Corrado's dropped the ball, Livoti's Old World Market stepped in to pick it up and run with it. The grand opening of Livoti's in Brick on March 7 promises to be a big event with plenty of food and fun for everyone.  For those who are fans of Italian food, and Italian quarterbacks, there's a good chance they may see former NY Giants quarterback Tommy "Cutlets" DeVito. DeVito's agent, Sean Stellato, made the arrangements for his client to be at Livoti's on opening day. "Ya know, everybody loves Tommy 'Cutlets'. After his three and a half game career with the Giants, Tommy became a superstar," said Stellato. "I been gettin' offers all over the place, Corrado's was beggin' him to come, but Tommy said no way. He told me, it was Livoti's or nothin'!" Macon Pastah, the general manager of Livoti's, had nothing but praise fo
Read more

Nude Beachgoers Take Nude Polar Bear Plunge on Point Pleasant Nude Beach... Nude

Image
Frigid ocean water did not deter nude beachgoers from jumping waves in the nude for a nude charity. A group of about thirty nude people and a few nude dogs gathered on Point Pleasant's nude beach to take a nude "Polar Bear Plunge" this weekend. A Polar Bear Plunge is an event where beachgoers will run into chilly ocean waters in order to raise money for a good cause. The difference with the Point Pleasant nude event is that no one wore any swimwear when they hit the nude beach. Organizer and nude enthusiast, Bertha Daye-Suit, said the day was a great nude success. "What a wonderful nude day for anyone who enjoys running nude into icy water! Plus, we raised a lot of money for a great nude cause while being nude!" The nude swimmers collected over $2,000 for Nude Americans Keeping Everything Decent (NAKED). "The purpose of NAKED is to raise awareness that there is nothing indecent about being nude," said 78-year-old Bertha Daye-Suit, as she stood nude on
Read more

Point Pleasant Boro Girl Wins Largest Stanley Bottle Ever Made

Image
Hydration is extremely important for everyone, and no one knows this better than the Stanley Water Bottle Company. Stanley went from being the bottle of choice for hunters and campers, to being the most important status symbol for America's teens and tween girls. These oversized bottles with their germ-exposed straws and internal lead seals, are practically required if a schoolgirl expects to have any sort of social life. That's why every girl in America is jealous of 11-year-old Kara Boutstatus, winner of the largest water bottle ever made by Stanley. "I'm not that surprised I won," says young Kara. "The way the contest worked was that the more bottles you own, the more chances you have to win, and I have, like 173 bottles, not counting the new one." Kara's family has devoted a large part of their kitchen to the storage of their daughter's bottles.  "People might say we indulge our daughter too much," says Mrs. Ima Boutstatus. "Bu
Read more

Giant Horseshoe Crab Caught Off of Bay Head

Image
When Dr. Sandy Benthic of the Rutgers D epartment of  Marine  and Coastal Sciences saw the specimen she was speechless . "I had never seen anything so beautiful in my life," Dr. Benthic said. Most people may not consider horseshoe crabs beautiful, but Dr. Benthic, who has been studying them for her entire career, believes that beauty is more than shell-deep. "Limulus Polyphemus (the technical name of horseshoe crabs) is a living fossil. They date back about 450 million years. Absolutely  remarkable animals. But what we have here is even more amazing. I never thought I would see such a well preserved  Limulus Polyphemus Gigantus! And it's 47 feet long!" Limulus Polyphemus Gigantus is the Latin term for the Giant Horseshoe Crab. Unlike their near-shore cousins we are used to seeing, Giant Horseshoe Crabs make their home at the bottom of the deep ocean where they burrow into the sand and can grow to be over 50 feet long. Researchers have rarely seen them and very f
Read more

Naked People Enjoy First July 4 on Point Pleasant Nude Beach

Image
About two months ago, Point Pleasant Beach opened part of its beach to nude sunbathers. It has proven to be a great success. Naked people from far and wide have been coming to Point Pleasant to worship the sun without bathing suits. This 4th of July weekend has been especially meaningful for the nudists. "I've been working on this beach since it opened," said Officer Sunny Buhnz of the Point Pleasant Police, "and I can tell you that most of the people who come here really appreciate their freedom to be naked." Officer Buhnz has gotten to know many of the regulars at the nude beach. "They're just normal everyday people who don't embarrass easily. The interesting thing is that almost all of the folks who come here seem to be senior citizens, which I guess makes sense. Point Beach has always been a family place, and a lot of these people have been coming here since they were kids, only now they're coming with no clothes on." The nude beach vis
Read more

Point Pleasant Approves First Nude Beach

Image
Point Pleasant Beach has decided to allow nude sunbathing in a designated area of the beach. Advocates of being naked hail this move as a great stride forward for those who either can't afford swimwear or who cannot abide the discomfort of wearing any clothes. Council member, Eve Desnuda, has been the driving force behind the nude beach initative, "I just went to the council with my proposal and showed 'em what I got," said Desnuda. "I just laid bare the advantages of having a section of beach designated for those who wish to exercise their right to assemble without clothing and who want to enjoy the freedom of an all-over tan. By opening up to this underserved population, we should actually increase tourism." Some details are still being worked out, but Desnuda promises that all will be revealed in due time. "For now, some things are still under wraps, but you can expect full disclosure as we get closer to the start of the season." The beach will
Read more

98-Year-Old Mantoloking Resident Recalls Working with Oppenheimer on A-Bomb

Image
With the success of the Oscar winning film, Oppenheimer, a new generation has become familiar with the Manhattan Project and the efforts to create the first atomic bomb. The most brilliant minds in America gathered in Los Alamos, New Mexico and created the weapon that they believed would bring an end to World War II. It was hard work and very serious business, but one scientist managed to bring a lighter side to the project. He was a twenty-two-year-old graduate student from the University of Chicago named Adam Bahm.  "I wasn't the greatest physicist," says Bahm. "I was probably the dumbest guy at Los Alamos, but Enrico Fermi, the genius scientist, wanted me there because he said I made him laugh. He told me, 'if I gotta work with Oppenheimer, I'm gonna need a wisenheimer.' Fermi warned me that Oppenheimer was kind of grim, and it was true. He really took the fun out of making weapons of mass destruction." Bahm delighted in teasing Oppenheimer. He s
Read more

Price Gouging for Eclipse Glasses Tops $500

Image
Excitement has hit a fever pitch as everyone waits for the Moon to pass between the sun and Earth.  Although this actually happens every single month, today will be an eclipse, meaning we will be in the dark shadow of the moon for a little while. In the past, people might descend into madness as the day unexpectedly would turn to night. For us, the madness has come in the form of desperation to get protective glasses. People are reporting that eclipse glasses are selling for $500 or more. Brielle resident, Lou Kinnup, says he paid $1800 for five pairs of protective glasses. "I wish I had gone to the library sooner when they were giving out free glasses, but I totally forgot," says Kinnup. "I didn't see that I had any choice. I didn't want my wife and kids and dog to miss this thrice in a lifetime event." Officer Pat Youdown of the Brick Police Department advises everyone to avoid buying eclipse glasses from price gougers. "I advise everyone to avoid bu
Read more