On this historic day in February 2018, the USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor unwrapped the Painstakingly restored superstructure of the legendary Battleship Missouri. This monumental $3.5 million project, wholly underwritten by the USS Missouri Memorial Association through revenues garnered from its visitors, returned the “Mighty Mo” back into 1991 magnificent glory after a massive project lasting four years.
The restoration of the superstructure was complex and tricky work from both the engineering and preservation perspectives. More than 17,000 pounds of steel have been replaced, and almost 27,000 square feet of surface area sandblasted to remove rust and corrosion. A coat of special paint was applied to allow rainwater to drain properly off the surface and to protect the steel for years to come. Astoundingly, all of the work happened in the evenings so as not to interfere with daytime tours.
The restoration of the superstructure was the first of the big steps we need to take towards our goal of preserving this iconic ship and its legacy for generations to come,” mentioned Michael A. Carr, president and CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association.
The newly reopened areas on the Navigation Bridge include the Chart House, Captain’s At-Sea Cabin, Pilot House, and Conning Tower. An immersive audio experience, recorded with help from active-duty sailors, whisks guests back in time to December 7, 1991, when the Missouri marked the 50th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack during its final operational mission.
“We wanted to make it real, to make it engaging, something that really tells an incredible story about the ship,” said Carr.
The project also permitted the installation of replicas of two SLQ-32 electronic warfare antennas and a radome, part of equipment belonging to the Missouri before it was decommissioned in 1992. Details like this underline how far Association members have gone in adhering to historical accuracy, thus bringing the Mighty Mo closer to its configuration at the close of its 48-year service in World War II, the Korean War, and Operation Desert Storm.
The USS Missouri is an icon of American strength and resilience,” said Carr. “In preserving her, we ensure her story will continue to inspire and educate generations to come.”