Based in Fall River, Massachusetts, Battleship Cove is the nation’s largest collection of historic naval vessels. The nonprofit war memorial and historic military museum emphasizes naval heritage and dedication to honoring the veterans who served in defense of our country. Home to five National Historic Landmarks and Official Veteran Memorials on both state and national levels, Battleship Cove has been providing the preservation of military heritage since 1965.
Its signature landmark, the USS Massachusetts (BB-59), needed some restoration and a fresh coat of paint. Battleship Cove selected Arch Painting to repaint the iconic battleship. It was an opportunity to help preserve one of America’s most celebrated World War II battleships and ensure that future generations can continue to learn and experience a living piece of naval history.
Historical Significance of USS Massachusetts
Known affectionately as “Big Mamie” by her crew, the USS Massachusetts is one of the most distinguished battleships of World War II. Commissioned in May 1942, she entered combat during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. During the Battle of Casablanca, the battleship fired the first American 16-inch naval shells in combat during World War II and engaged the French battleship Jean Bart, helping secure Allied objectives.
Following operations in the Atlantic, the USS Massachusetts served extensively in the Pacific Theater. The ship participated in campaigns across the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. In the final months of the war, her powerful guns bombarded industrial targets on the Japanese home islands. She is also credited with firing one of the last 16-inch rounds of the war.
USS Massachusetts decommissioned in 1947 and remained in the reserve fleet until removed from the Naval Vessel Register in 1962. She was saved through fundraising efforts led by former crew members and Massachusetts schoolchildren. In 1965, she arrived in Fall River to begin her second life as a museum ship and memorial.
The Challenge
Exposure to New England’s harsh coastal environment presents ongoing preservation challenges. Constant exposure to salt air, moisture, UV radiation, and seasonal temperature fluctuations can accelerate corrosion on steel surfaces. As the flagship attraction of Battleship Cove, the USS Massachusetts requires continual maintenance to preserve both its structural integrity and historic appearance.
Arch Painting was tasked with preserving exterior areas of the ship, specifically the flag bridge port and starboard hull, as well as the spotlight tower. The project required meticulous surface preparation, corrosion mitigation, and the application of specialized marine-grade coatings designed to withstand the demanding waterfront environment.
The Solution
To return USS Massachusetts to its original glory, the crew used Macropoxy 646 primer to prep the areas and Acrolon 218 two part epoxy as the top coat. The paint color is Interior Haze Gray, a federal standard color commonly used for military and marine applications on metal surfaces.
Working closely with museum staff, Arch Painting developed a timeline that minimized disruption to museum operations and visitor access. Crews performed detailed inspections, removed deteriorated coatings, treated corrosion-prone areas, and applied high-performance protective paint systems matching the ship’s historic naval appearance.
Safety procedures, environmental controls, and careful project planning ensured that restoration work met both preservation standards and operational requirements.
Results
The completed painting project restored the USS Massachusetts‘s iconic profile, significantly improving the appearance of the ship while enhancing protection against corrosion and weathering. Visitors once again experienced the ship as it was intended to be seen, while Battleship Cove gained confidence that its signature landmark would remain protected for years to come.
Conclusion
For Arch Painting, the project demonstrated expertise in managing complex preservation work on a nationally significant landmark. For Battleship Cove, it represented another important step in safeguarding a treasured symbol of American naval history.
Most importantly, the restoration helped ensure that the USS Massachusetts continues to stand proudly over Fall River’s waterfront, honoring the sacrifices of those who served and educating future generations about the role this legendary battleship played in securing victory during World War II
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