Historic ship museum saved by US state funding

Scrubbing the deck of Battleship New Jersey

The restoration of government aid was the last-minute saviour for a US maritime conservation project that is now a floating museum.

The Battleship New Jersey museum had £1.1m in grants signed off by Governor Chris Christie on Tuesday 29 June. The Governor’s original proposal was due to cut all funding for the warship.

The Governor’s u-turn was a relief for those connected with the maritime heritage museum.

Museum president and chief executive officer, James Scmuck said without aid this year, the historic ship would have been forced to close by September despite the many cost-cutting procurements the museum has made.

Scmuck commented: "We are at a critical point in our ability to continue. Without funding, we are facing closure."

Battleship New Jersey is a World War II era ship. She is the most militarily decorated of all the US Navy battleships and opened nine years ago as a museum. It is on both the state and national registers of historic places.

[source: Courier Post Online]