CAMDEN, NJ – In 1968, during a rigorous shakedown cruise, the USS New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship of the United States Navy, pushed the boundaries of naval engineering and capability. Not only did the ship achieve a top speed of 35.2 knots (approximately 65.2 kilometers per hour), but it also demonstrated its rapid stopping ability in an extreme test conducted by its captain. This historic event stands as an awe-inspiring display of both the technological prowess of the Iowa-class battleships and the daring spirit of their crews.
The USS New Jersey was powered by eight fuel oil boilers and four propellers, delivering an astounding 212,000 shaft horsepower. This incredible engine configuration allowed the ship to reach speeds that were nothing short of remarkable for a vessel of its size and firepower.
During the 1968 shakedown cruise, the USS New Jersey accomplished a feat that would make it into the annals of naval history. The ship achieved a speed of 35.2 knots and impressively sustained this pace for six continuous hours. This was not just a cursory sprint; the ship was pushing its engineering to the limits, testing what was possible with the technology of the time.
In an audacious maneuver, the ship’s captain ordered the transition from “all ahead flank” to “all back emergency,” challenging the engineering team and the vessel itself. This extreme shift required the USS New Jersey to come to a complete stop after running at its top speed. It took the massive battleship about two miles to halt entirely, a distance that showcased both the ship’s immense power and the effectiveness of its braking system.
The 1968 shakedown cruise of the USS New Jersey serves as a testament to the technological advancements and engineering feats of the Iowa-class battleships. Achieving and sustaining such high speeds, and then stopping within a relatively short distance, displayed the ship’s capability to respond to extreme conditions—an essential quality in naval warfare.
Today, this episode remains a storied part of the USS New Jersey’s legacy, contributing to its status as one of the most formidable and technologically advanced battleships to have ever sailed under the flag of the United States Navy.
The U.S.S. New Jersey is now a floating naval museum along the Delaware River in Camden.