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Finally Home Thousands of spectators crowded the Delaware River shorelines to welcome home the USS New Jersey as she returned to her birthplace at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on Veterans Day, November 11, 1999. This is also where to find continuing coverage of where the 'Big J' makes her final home. The most recent stories are at the bottom of the page.
November 12, 1999 -- A Hero's Welcome Thousands welcome home battleship USS New Jersey Well-wishers came early, stayed late Unsinkable memories of legendary ship For Camden and Bayonne, nothing left to do but wait Veterans greet New Jersey up close There when it was launched, old tug escorts battleship home If Camden wins, Philadelphia has just as much to gain Flotilla braves Delaware River current to welcome venerable ship At Fort Mott State Park, thousands greet ship in early morning Arrival brings back memories for veterans Huge welcome for ship impresses tug's skipper McGuigan's vision of a battleship in Camden Frequently asked questions about the USS New Jersey
November 13, 1999 Sea Victory earns medal for bravery	November 14, 1999 Maintenance work begins on battleship South Jersey salutes 'Big J' in tumultuous homecoming
November 16, 1999 Azzolina apologizes for murder comment	November 17, 1999 Board wants 'Big J' to use local businesses Azzolina's apology is appropriate
November 22, 1999 Historian's battleship dream is coming true	November 30, 1999 'Big J' will be backdrop for Dec. 7 ceremony
December 1, 1999 Remember Pearl Harbor --- and our battleship	December 3, 1999 Battleship bill pulled from Assembly committee agenda
December 8, 1999 Another New York City official objects to putting USS New Jersey in Bayonne	December 8, 1999 Rancocas students submit 7,000 signatures on battleship petition
January 6, 2000 Historian details the role politics played in battleship's creation Bayonne	January 7, 2000 Battleship USS New Jersey documentary to air Jan. 16
January 21, 2000 We got the ship! Next steps: Repair the battleship, build dock 'We're so used to losing, I can't believe we've got it,' says freeholder Opinion - `Big J' headed home thanks to South Jerseyans' efforts	January 22, 2000 Battleship party to honor public's role
January 23, 2000 Paperwork, cleanup on tap for battleship Opinion - Winning our battleship gives region reason to celebrate	January 24, 2000 'Big J' may be used for children's sleepovers
January 27, 2000 Public invited to free party for battleship at E-Centre	January 30, 2000 We got the ship! And South Jersey responds Home at last: A great day for South Jersey Letters to the editor
February 1, 2000 -- From birthplace to birthplace From Dream to reality: Hard work brought ship to Camden Review by Congress is next step Residents united to bring ship to Camden County to hold battleship party Plenty of work on ship needs to be done With its biggest battle won, Home Port Alliance sets sights om fund raising Exhibits designed to teach and entertain Ship museum may help area tourism Lessons learned from other ship-museums Groups urge Navy to upgrade, reactivate Iowa-class ships
Feburary 2, 2000 More state aid proposed for battleship Commission must hand over money folks gave for 'Big J'	Feburary 4, 2000 Chef's ice sculpture of battleship will adorn Sunday's victory bash
Feburary 6, 2000 Camden battleship plan 'very superior'	Feburary 7, 2000 Battleship victory celebrated
Feburary 8, 2000 Bill to boost funding for USS New Jersey by $7.2M sent to Assembly	Feburary 12, 2000 South Jersey Speaks Out: Great possibilities for 'Big J' Living museum Showcase battleship, and they will come `The Fleet's In'
Feburary 16, 2000 Battleship group cautions about solicitations	Feburary 22, 2000 $950,000 awarded for battleship repairs
Feburary 25, 2000 Two S.J. Democrats make bid to abolish Battleship Commission	Feburary 26, 2000 Vet receives medal for battleship work
Feburary 27, 2000 Editorial: Could take law to get `Big J' funds	Feburary 29, 2000 Editorial: Deserving recipient of service medal
March 2, 2000 Battleship suit nipped in the bud	March 4, 2000 $7.2M in `Big J' funding passes hurdle Battleship may be city's `jewel' on the Waterfront
March 8, 2000 It was a blue-ribbon day when South Jersey got the `Big J'	March 12, 2000 Lost letter to postpone transfer of battleship
March 18, 2000 Coalition places ads for 'Big J' contractor	March 21, 2000 Lawmaker seeks review of decision on battleship Another step toward return of USS New Jersey to Camden
March 22, 2000 Second lawmaker seeks review of `Big J' decision Lawmaker says battleship review request not sour grapes	March 25, 2000 Lawmaker seeks probe of decision on fate of 'Big J'
March 30, 2000 South Jersey congressmen say battleship's move is on track	April 11, 2000 It's now official: USS New Jersey coming to Camden Navy to move USS New Jersey to Camden in next few months
April 12, 2000 Bickering over `Big J' hurts N.J.	April 18, 2000 EPA looks for contamination on battleship USS New Jersey
April 25, 2000 Selection of site for battleship scrutinized	May 29, 2000 DRPA may oversee state funds for battleship
June 22, 2000 DRPA vice chairman to oversee 'Big J' funds	July 1, 2000 Battleship could be in N.J. by mid-July
July 11, 2000 Deal near on transfer of USS New Jersey	July 12, 2000 Opinion: Move quickly to dock 'Big J' in Camden
July 21, 2000 Secretary of Navy signs `Big J' contract	July 25, 2000 USS New Jersey's fans celebrate ship victory
July 26, 2000 `Big J' prepared for last trip	July 27, 2000 Schwarzkopf to speak from battleship See photos of the ships journey to Camden Photographs of the 'Big J's' homecoming
July 28, 2000 USS New Jersey returns home to cheers, tears	July 29, 2000 'Ship of hope'
August 5, 2000 USS New Jersey opening to public free for two days	August 8, 2000 Warship prepares to receive visitors
August 10, 2000 Young and old engrossed by tour of battleship.	August 10, 2000 Free tour of battleship New Jersey draws thousands
August 11, 2000 Tours of duty: Battleship preview draws 11,000 visitors.	August 16,2000 `Big J' towed to Broadway Terminal for renovation work
August 17, 2000 Paul Barrett was a driving force in bringing the USS New Jersey to Camden's Waterfront	August 25, 2000 Willingboro firm hired to oversee battleship's refurbishment
September 8, 2000 Battleship panel finally endorses Camden site	September 18, 2000 Ex-crewmen hope to hold reunion on `Big J' in 2002 Ex-crewmen may get say in `Big J' restoration
September 26, 2000 Alliance seeks bids for `Big J' conversion	November 11, 2000 Leader of battleship New Jersey effort quits
December 3, 2000 Tour shows time's toll on battleship Museum plans bogged down in issues and egos Online Photo Gallery of the Battleship tour	December 5, 2000 Battleship pier could be dogged by construction delays
December 10, 2000 USS Missouri curator offers advice for `Big J'	December 12, 2000 Battleship alliance OKs plans for larger museum
December 20, 2000 Battleship is being decked for the holidays	January 5, 2001 More volunteers needed aboard `Big J'
January 9, 2001 Whaleboats arrive for battleship	January 14, 2001 Opinion: Adhere to `Big J' legacy; open alliance meetings
January 18, 2001 Volunteers enlist for duty	January 27, 2001 Ship officials to reconsider closed talks
January 29, 2001 Battleship curator has experience, enthusiasm	February 7, 2001 New `Big J' pier plan wins permits
February 16, 2001 It's a big weekend for `Big J' Cost of `Big J' pier has risen to $10M	February 18, 2001 Local folks donate items to Big J
February 19, 2001 Battleship models spur old sailors' hearts, memories	February 24, 2001 Camden-bred artist shares portrait of `Big J'
March 2, 2001 DRPA authorizes $8 million for battleship pier	March 5, 2001 Volunteer finds `Big J' lives up to name
March 12, 2001 Program director hopes to attract funds, visitors	March 19, 2001 Monday, March 19, 2001 Teen has a big job on Big J
March 23, 2001 Kids temporarily banned from battleship	March 26, 2001 `Big J's' sister battleship Iowa heads to new West Coast home
March 29, 2001 Battleship guided to new Camden pier

Finally Home		'Big J's' Homecoming
1939-1983	1990-1997	1998	1999

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