WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast – Episode Summary
Title: Ryan Szimanski: A Curator's Journey
Release Date: July 16, 2025
Host: Marshall Spivak
Guest: Ryan Szymanski, Deputy Executive Director for Curatorial and Educational Affairs at The Battleship New Jersey
Introduction to Ryan Szymanski
In this episode, Marshall Spivak welcomes Ryan Szymanski, the Deputy Executive Director for Curatorial and Educational Affairs at The Battleship New Jersey. Ryan brings nearly two decades of experience working on museum ships, having started his journey as a part-time tour guide in 2006. His extensive background, including roles as a collections manager and maintenance lead, uniquely positions him to oversee the preservation and educational outreach of the Battleship New Jersey.
Journey into Museum Ships
Ryan recounts how his career path was influenced by a blend of necessity and passion. At 16, faced with the need to fund his college education, Ryan sought employment opportunities and stumbled upon museum ships. Originally aspiring to join the Naval Academy, he found himself captivated by the charm of World War II-era vessels, leading him to commit full-time to this field.
Quote:
"Somewhere along the way, I decided that I absolutely hate modern warships. They're ugly, they've got none of the charm that World War II vessels like this one have."
— Ryan Szymanski [03:16]
Preparing for the Role
Ryan's diverse roles on various ships equipped him with essential skills. His experience with dry docking the Coast Guard Cutter Taney and the USS Constellation provided critical insights that proved invaluable when undertaking the dry docking of the Battleship New Jersey. These experiences underscored the importance of meticulous maintenance and the challenges of preserving large maritime artifacts.
Quote:
"Even though those ships are significantly smaller and one of them is made entirely out of wood, there was so much crossover knowledge."
— Ryan Szymanski [04:25]
Early Days on the Battleship
Joining the Battleship New Jersey in late 2017, Ryan encountered a ship in need of revitalization. The vessel had experienced fluctuating staffing levels and varying degrees of maintenance deterioration. Upon his arrival, Ryan took on the formidable task of organizing and cataloging the ship's vast collection, which included decades-old paperwork and artifacts.
Quote:
"I spent a large part of probably my first six months working here just going through the various curatorial spaces and reorganizing things."
— Ryan Szymanski [09:17]
A Day in the Life of the Curator
Ryan describes his daily routine, which begins early with coordination meetings involving maintenance crews and volunteers. His role is multifaceted, balancing hands-on maintenance with digital outreach through the Battleship’s YouTube channel. This combination ensures the ship remains both a historical artifact and an active educational platform.
Quote:
"A large part of my day is spent at the computer answering emails... I'm supposed to be the expert who's been doing this for years."
— Ryan Szymanski [10:28]
The Dry Docking Project
A significant milestone discussed is the dry docking of the Battleship New Jersey. Securing a $5 million state appropriation in June 2023 was pivotal, enabling extensive preservation efforts. Ryan played a crucial role in planning and executing the move, which involved balancing the ship and ensuring structural integrity during towing.
Quote:
"It was more than I could have ever imagined. I was down below checking things and I came up on deck and realized that, oh, my God, we're already in the middle of the channel."
— Ryan Szymanski [14:17]
Challenges and Solutions During Dry Docking
The team faced unexpected challenges, such as discovering an unknown caulk compound covering riveted seams. Through collaborative research and tapping into the expertise of the Historic Naval Ships Association, they identified and sourced the correct materials to address these issues effectively.
Quote:
"We had a couple of sources, but we'd read them all to prepare for this and we'd see nothing at all like that. But we were able to find other people who had also run in these problems and figured it out in some instances the hard way."
— Ryan Szymanski [23:04]
Dry Dock Tours: A Community Engagement Success
Innovatively, the Battleship offered tours during the dry docking period, leveraging community interest to fundraise and maintain engagement. This initiative not only provided essential funds but also deepened the public's connection to the ship’s preservation.
Quote:
"We didn't think we'd get that kind of interest. We didn't think we'd be raising that kind of money."
— Ryan Szymanski [20:01]
Recognition and Feedback
Ryan highlights the immense pride in receiving accolades from active-duty Navy personnel, who commend the ship's condition, likening it favorably to current Navy vessels. This validation underscores the team's dedication and the ship's exceptional maintenance standards.
Quote:
"It's the best evaluation of our work that we could possibly receive."
— Ryan Szymanski [31:21]
Evolution of the YouTube Channel
Starting in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryan and Libby Jones launched the Battleship New Jersey’s YouTube channel to continue educational outreach. The channel has blossomed to over 271,000 subscribers, significantly enhancing the museum's visibility and support through crowdfunding and community engagement.
Quote:
"The YouTube channel has really shown me that there are actually hundreds of thousands of people like me out there."
— Ryan Szymanski [35:38]
Future Plans for the Battleship
Looking ahead to the latter half of 2025, Ryan is excited about expanding the ship’s tour routes by opening new spaces, including marine detachment areas and steering positions. These enhancements aim to provide visitors with a more comprehensive and immersive experience of the Battleship New Jersey's rich history.
Quote:
"I am most excited about opening new spaces to show people, like making the tour out longer."
— Ryan Szymanski [37:52]
Rapid Fire Highlights
In a light-hearted segment, Ryan shares personal favorites and insights:
- Favorite Compartment: "Combat Engagement Center. It leaves me in awe." [40:12]
- Favorite Battle to Study: "Leyte Gulf – I've gained a new appreciation for it." [41:14]
- Favorite Ship: "The Lexington class battlecruisers. I really like the design." [41:50]
- Favorite Artifact: "The powder bag, but also the ship itself is the macro artifact." [44:21]
- Proudest Accomplishment: "Working on the ship in dry dock, getting to be a part of that." [45:23]
- Wetsuit Moments: "Volunteers stepping up, like cleaning leaks or giving tours in extreme conditions." [45:44]
Closing Thoughts
Ryan emphasizes the collective effort behind the Battleship New Jersey's success, highlighting the indispensable roles of staff and volunteers. He invites listeners to support the museum by engaging with their content, contributing to ongoing preservation efforts, and spreading awareness.
Quote:
"There is a significantly larger team here at the museum than me, with equal or greater dedication to what I have that are making all this happen."
— Ryan Szymanski [36:52]
Conclusion
This episode offers a comprehensive look into Ryan Szymanski's pivotal role in preserving and promoting the Battleship New Jersey. Through his dedication, innovative outreach strategies, and collaborative problem-solving, Ryan ensures that this historic vessel remains a celebrated and well-maintained symbol of American naval heritage.