Battleship New Jersey's Machine Shop with Ken Kersch

Today we're back in the Machine Shop, this time with USS New Jersey crew member from the Vietnam War, Ken Kersch.

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[leelawrence]

Hey just to let you know I was the LPO on BB62 from 1985 to 1987. The surface grinder was obtained in early 1986 from the Defense Reutilization Depot in Northern California. We used it alot, and it was originally positioned where the Bridgeport mill is. Where the surface grinder is now positioned was an electroplating sink. The Standard Modern lathe was installed in April 1986 prior to the 1986 WesPac cruise. The Bridgeport was installed after I transferred so I don't know when it was installed.

[fozbstudios]

Ken got sad hen talking about the broken tool. That said a lot. Thank you for your service then and now Ken

[davidduma]

Ken is GREAT!
Get him his favorite beverage and keep the camera rolling. Let him tell more sea stories like fixing the pump from the other ship.

[DoomOfConviction]

Must be awesome to come back after 50 years and all tools are still there and intact!

[zapityzapzap]

Texas Tech Univeristy's Mechanical Engineering machine shop has three 14" lathes similar to the Sidney that came out of USN ships that were decommissioned after WWII...most of us liked them better than the newer "digital" lathes.

[berryreading]

More stories from Ken! Also I'd like him to give a tour of the welding shop, unless a former welding shop sailor is available 👍

[fuglyfeet]

I am a retired machinist started in 1976 until 2017. A lot of shops i worked in had decomissioned navel machinery in them. Lathes, milling machines and vertical id grinders. I really liked this video. Thanks

[idkmachining]

What an awesome, detailed look at the incredibly well equipped machine shop of a battleship!

[MrTexasDan]

As a former machinist for 20 years, this video speaks to me! Thanks so much Mr. Kersch for showing us your old digs, and especially the most versatile machine on the planet, the Bridgeport mill. I plan to get one for my home shop (with power feeds).

[hughstephenson]

My father was on the ssn Sealion on Dec 7 1941. They were assigned target towing duty so we're away from Pearl during the attack. A IJN flight group found them before they cut the gear loose and dived (wouldn't have done much good in clear water anyway). They fought off 8 planes. One or two had bombs which came close enough to dent the pressure hull. I used to have all his pics of his WWII service ships. The Sea Lion was not sunk but was patched up and sent to the mainland for drydock. Dad was transferred to the Hornet..

[SynergyStudios]

I might have to try 3D printing one of those turrets, those are cool!

I'd love it if you guys did videos about various repairs you do around the ship today. You're awesome Ken!

[philwalmsley]

Ken, Ryan and team that was awesome. Thanks Ken for taking me on a tour of your machine shop. I have to say that the Bridgeport is my favorite. Additionally, the brass turrets are very cool.

[dickmantooth]

Imagine the amount of planning and the number of people that are required to fully man a battleship. Definitely eye opening to see all the different roles that are needed to make one of these ships run Can't imagine the pressure on the captains and admirals every second of the day to make sure they are able make their ships run properly and achieve what they are meant

[hacksinashack]

As a new generation machinist seeing this more in depth video of the machine shop is very enjoyable. Getting a tour from a veteran machinist whom served on the ship is an extra treat. I would be like a kid in a candy store in there.

[patcb]

Thanks Ken. Too bad we did not get to see the smile of shame on the drill press. The table on the radial drill was not bad at all.

[WvlfDarkfire]

Thank you for your service and thank you for the education Ken Kersch

[walkerm]

Amazing what this guy remembers. I was on the USS Coral Sea in the 70s. I was a BT working in aft evaps. I don't remember much about anything. Lol

[johnpavlovic]

Back in the 70's I was taking machine shop classes in a vo-tech in Malvern AR and all the equipment was mil-surp and I used the same type of machines. We also had some machines that had been converted from over head belt drive. It brings back fond memories of when i learning my trade.

[cameronmccreary]

Nice shop! When I had my own shop in the 1980's I had a Lagun mill with the slotting head on the rear end opposite the turning head. It did wonderful work. The Bridgeport is the most versatile of all the Mills.

[PaulieB]

Thanks for your service, Ken!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸