A Periscope’s Perspective of Lightning Protection

In 1959, Edmund Scientific Co. contracted Warren Lightning Rod to protect a rare periscope from a WWII-era Japanese submarine, now thought to be the last of its kind. In 1970, Edmund expanded their facility, relocating the periscope. Warren again installed lightning protection.

A periscope from a WWII Japanese submarine at the docks next to the Battleship New Jersey
A periscope from a WWII Japanese submarine on display at the Battleship New Jersey visitors center

Edmund eventually donated the periscope to the Battleship New Jersey Museum in 2001. But due to a lack of funds, the periscope sat in storage until 2019, when it was installed in the ship’s visitor center on the Delaware River in Camden, NJ.

Battleship New Jersey
The Battleship New Jersey; largest battleship ever build by the United States

Warren Lightning Rod again stepped in, this time volunteering to protect the periscope at no cost to the Battleship Museum. As a token of their appreciation, the Battleship New Jersey then offered to install a plaque near the docks to commemorate the work Warren had done to protect the periscope over the course of 60 years.

periscope inside Battleship New Jersey visitor center
A view of the periscope from inside the Battleship New Jersey visitors center