Decommissioned Ships and Their Potential Redux: Can the U.S. Navy Recommission Old Warships?

The United States Navy, while a formidable force, often faces the challenge of deciding whether to fully decommission or to recommission old ships. This decision hinges on a variety of factors, including the condition of the ship, its historical significance, and the potential benefits of bringing it back into service.

Conditions of Decommissioned Ships

Not all decommissioned ships are beyond repair. Some, like the USS Texas and USS The Sullivans, have been left to rot due to the exorbitant costs of maintenance and repair. The hull of USS The Sullivans is not seaworthy, and it would be cheaper to build a new ship than to fix it. Similarly, USS Texas has an engineering plant that is scrap metal and cannot be made operational again. However, there are cases where ships have been successfully returned to service.

Historical Commissions: Evidence of Recommissioning

Historically, decommissioning was not always a permanent state. For example, the USS Mohican, a Civil War-era ship, was decommissioned and recommissioned multiple times in just a few years. Here are the details of its commissions and decommissions:

Commissioned on 29 November 1859 Decommissioned on 9 July 1862 Recommissioned on 17 October 1862 Decommissioned on 18 April 1864 Reactivated on 7 October 1864 Decommissioned on 26 April 1866 Recommissioned on 18 August 1866 Decommissioned on 3 April 1868 Recommissioned on 7 June 1869 Decommissioned at Mare Island on 25 June 1872 and by the end of the year, sunk at her moorings. Broken up.

Despite the challenges, recommissioning has been a feature of naval operations. This is evident in the case of the famous battleships of the Iowa class.

Recommissioning of Iowa Class Battleships

The U.S. Navy has successfully recommissioned several Iowa class battleships in the past, including:

ShipCommission DateDecommission DateRecommission DateFinal Decommission Date USS Iowa BB-6122 February 194324 March 194925 August 195124 February 195828 April 1984 (Recommissioned)26 October 1990 USS New Jersey BB-6223 May 194230 June 194821 November 195021 August 19576 April 1968 (Recommissioned)21 December 196928 December 1982 (Recommissioned)8 February 1991 USS Missouri BB-6311 June 194426 February 195510 May 198631 March 1992 USS Wisconsin BB-6416 April 19441 July 19483 March 19518 March 195822 October 1988 (Recommissioned)30 September 1991

These battleships were commission and recommissioned multiple times, including in wars such as World War II, the Korean War, and the Reagan Administration's Strategic Defense Initiative in the 1980s. Today, the USS Iowa and USS New Jersey are museum ships in Los Angeles and Camden, New Jersey, respectively.

Can Recommissioning Still Happen?

While the U.S. Navy has a history of recommissioning old ships, current circumstances make it less likely to occur. Ships are decommissioned for a variety of reasons, often due to outdated technology, high maintenance costs, and safety concerns. However, there are still instances where recommissioning might be considered, such as strategic need or historical significance.

In Conclusion

The U.S. Navy has a record of bringing decommissioned ships back into operational service. However, the decision to do so now is complex and depends on various factors. Historical examples show that recommissioning is feasible, but the practicalities and financial implications must be carefully considered.