What is That Thing Painted on the Battleship?

Keep it Ryan. It is part of her history.

Please keep it!

I vote for keeping it. It is another trivia quetion for the history of the ship.

Unanimous

Not necessary to keep it as it was conditional, and would have been removed if in service. Like painting white band on gun turrets when countries sent warships to monitor the Spanish Civil War in 1936.

Either keep the draft mark or just paint a nondescript line at the waterline forward for draft reference.

Work has already been put in in order to maintain that unique marker. With that said- it is a unique piece of history that you have successfully preserved- just as well keep it.

I believe you have to keep it now that you’ve made a video about it. Curator’s Law No. 258.

Keep it...

I'd say her period in mothballs is part of the ship's history, so it should be kept.

Concur with most. Leave the water level mark.

The waterline mark is part of her history. A vote for keep it.

Keep it on; it's a pretty interesting story, and certainly a part of the ship's life.

Keeping the mark is perfectly rational.

Keep it on. It's part of her history.

Leave the draft marker where it is. It's one more useful tool to make sure the battleship isn't taking on water. It's not like the New Jersey is going to go back into active service any time soon.

Keep it.

Keep it

Keep it.

I say keep it.

Keep it. Call it practical history.

Keep it. It is now a part of the ships history, and it's not pointless graffiti. It was added for a definite reason, and said reason has not gone away..in a contingency unforeseen...they could be a useful indicator...

Keep it.

I'd keep it, mainly because it's something special and another story to tell to the public and it's part of the ship's long life.

Keep it, but maybe just paint it a darker color?

👍

I'd keep it on the port side for "daily checks" but restore the 1990 "normal" markings on the seaward side.

Keep it. interesting story.

Agreed....Keep it as its something interesting and provokes discussion.

She’s decommissioned so leave it as a reminder of her time served and to let her remember she’s retired

Please leave it.

It’s part of the ships history. Keep it.

Sure, keep the mark. Who knows, there may be an enemy midget sub lurking in the river ... crewed by a 90 year old zealot who wants to sink the New Jersey???? 😂

I say keep it mothballing is part of her history

Don't paint over the mark.

Rather than raw comments, why not post up a poll?

Having the symbol in place helps people with limited knowledge of the ship see that the position in the water is "normal" for the current status. I would vote to keep the symbol in place.

Keep it they painted it on when she was decommissioned in Long Beach

Seeing as you asked our opinion. I would say keep it even though you don't absolutely need it. You come to work, with just a quick glance you know your ship is not sinking. I personally would find it a reassuring way to start my work day.

Keep it - offers an opening to talk about mothballing and preservation.

I'd leave it.

keep it! it's a piece of history now.

Ought to address Iowa's problem with not being able to afford dry docking

The Ship has so much more history than just 1990. While i definitely think it makes sense to keep the majority of the ship as it ended service. The more details added related to it whole history is better. It gives more to talk about and connect with.

It's a keeper - it must be one of the few real marks and features that were applied during her mothball period

I'd also keep the draft mark.

I’d keep it. Serves a purpose, even though there are other checks and balances.

keep it.

Keep it.. it just looks cool :)

I think it would be good to keep the draft marks. They are part of the ship’s history and are interesting. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺