Move of U.S.S. New Jersey Delayed

The USS New Jersey will not be moved on Labor Day because of construction delays, according to the nonprofit group coordinating the vessel`s restoration. The 60-year-old retired battleship is being restored as a museum and tourist attraction, and the group had set Labor Day as a target date for the ship to be towed to the new Delaware River pier that will be its final mooring.

The Home Port Alliance said delivery of some materials needed to safely moor the ship at the new location was delayed by a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.

The group plans to meet Sept. 5 for an update on construction progress and to schedule a new moving date.

The ship is expected to open to the public about two weeks after it reaches its destination on the Camden waterfront near the Tweeter Center. An alliance spokeswoman said it is still anticipated that the ship will open before the end of September.

It is currently docked at the South Jersey Port Corp. and must be moved about a mile and a half.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News