USS Missouri Memorial Association Embarks on Major Restoration of the Mighty Mo's Aft Superstructure
Project Work Will Have No Impact on Tours of the Battleship Missouri Memorial
Pearl Harbor, HI – (May 7, 2019) – The USS Missouri Memorial Association has embarked on a major restoration of the battleship’s aft superstructure that is expected to continue through this summer and will have no effect on tours of the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
The $3-million project is being funded entirely by the Association and fulfills two important goals, the first of which is continuing with the Association’s commitment to preserve and restore the former USS Missouri to its overall appearance prior to decommissioning and retirement from service in 1992.
The second goal is preparing the iconic battleship to host the nation’s 75th anniversary of the End of WWII commemoration ceremony on September 2, 2020. The USS Missouri served as the site for Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces with the signing of the Formal Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945, formally ending World War II.
“The admission fees paid by guests who come to experience the incredible history of the USS Missouri have made this vital preservation of the aft superstructure possible,” said Michael Carr, president and CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. “We thank the public, the Navy and our neighbors throughout Pearl Harbor for their continued support, as we fulfill our mission on behalf of the Missouri and all those she protected during her half-century of service to our nation.”
Carr added, “We encourage residents and visitors to continue coming to the Battleship Missouri Memorial while the restoration is underway. There is no impact to the tours and the experience of seeing and walking the decks of the ‘Mighty Mo’ here on Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor.”
The aft superstructure is the Missouri’s second tallest section, standing about 80 feet above the main deck, or 100 feet above the waterline. The preservation work was a year in the planning and encompasses the after main battery fire control tower, after stack, yardarm and platforms, and other components above the battleship’s third level.
The focus of the restoration project is repairing and replacing severely corroded steel, as well as applying protective coatings and improving rainwater drainage to better shield the Missouri from the sun and the corrosive effects of moisture combined with salt air.
Completing the restoration project will involve the sandblasting of an estimated 12,000 square feet of steel superstructure to remove rust and prepare the surfaces for the application of a protective coating. An additional 8,000 lbs. of steel will be replaced. An estimated 500 gallons of paint will be utilized. The project is targeted for completion this August.
A highlight of the restoration work will be the installation of a replica radome used to operate the Missouri’s remotely piloted vehicle and the re-installation of the OE-82 communication antenna.
The placement of these two prominent pieces of equipment will move the Association a step closer to meeting its historical preservation goal of restoring the Mighty Mo to how the battleship appeared on December 7, 1991. On that date, the 50th anniversary observance of the attack on Pearl Harbor that thrust America into World War II, the USS Missouri completed its final operational mission leading a contingent of ships into Pearl Harbor for the commemoration ceremony.
Tours of the Battleship Missouri Memorial will not be affected by the restoration project. Work will be done in the evening hours after the Battleship Missouri Memorial has closed for the day. Traffic on Ford Island will also not be affected. The Association is taking all necessary steps to limit noise or disruption for residents and commercial operations on Ford Island and throughout Pearl Harbor. The project work area is covered by scaffolding and protective sheeting.
Two years ago, the Association successfully completed the repair and preservation of the superstructure, the tallest section of the Missouri. The superstructure rises about 110 feet above the main deck with a mast extending more than 50 feet above the main structure.
About the Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 8.5-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. General admission, which includes choice of an optional tour, is $29 per adult and $13 per child (4-12). Military, kamaaina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (toll-free) 1-877-644-4896 or visit USSMissouri.org
Please credit images to Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Link to image: https://i.imgur.com/0OXwmBx.jpg
Caption: The Battleship Missouri Memorial’s aft superstructure undergoes major restoration project.
Link to image: https://i.imgur.com/efIbi3D.jpg
Link to image: https://i.imgur.com/5wdpR9c.jpg
Caption: Crews prepare the decks of the aft superstructure.
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