Fort Miles works with Battleship New Jersey to preserve 16-inch gun barrels

Members of Fort Miles Historical Association traveled Oct. 17 to New Jersey to select big shells that will travel to Delaware for the fort’s 16-inch gun barrel from the Iowa-class USS Missouri. The shells were found in a Navy scrapheap in Virginia. FMHA has been working with USS New Jersey representatives to preserve relics of this country’s naval history. The association found eight Iowa-class 16-inch gun barrels that the Navy had stored at the St. Julien’s Creek facility in Norfolk, Va., and has worked to find homes for them before they are destroyed.

“We’re doing our part to see that this part of the country’s history is saved. These barrels might seem unimportant but they played an important role and should be preserved,” said Dr. Gary D. Wray, FMHA president.

In 2012, three barrels were relocated: one from the USS Missouri that is on display at Fort Miles; a USS Arizona barrel that traveled to that state; and a third barrel shipped to Cape Charles, Va.

Since then, efforts have continued to save the remaining barrels. Three may go to Camden, N.J., to join the Battleship New Jersey’s exhibits.

Directors of the New Jersey have generously offered to donate two 16-inch shells to Fort Miles for a new display of the USS Missouri barrel that is planned for next year. Each shell weighs more than 2,700 pounds.

Four FMHA board members traveled to New Jersey to select the shells that will be moved to Delaware.

“We were very impressed with the hospitality from the New Jersey battleship group,” said Mike Dunkes, FMHA secretary. “We were given a great tour of the ship, including inside a gun turret. That’s not a part of the ship that the public sees, and showed us the inner workings of a 16-inch gun.”