Battleship USS Iowa comes back to life for its likely final voyager

Danny Tse

The USS Iowa has been refitted for its final voyage from the "Ghost Fleet" to Southern California, where it will be come an interactive navel museum. This battleship is the last of the Iowa-class battleships to become a museum.

nooshinjohn

She looked better before they put the Helipad on her stern. A full broadside from this Big Girl would list her 20 degrees, depending on which side she was firing over. The Iowa Class ships are truly a sight to behold, and everyone should see at least one. I have seen the Jersey already, and I will walk the decks of the Mighty Mo' by year's end.

Thanks for the post.

dkg999

There's just something about an Iowa class battleship that says "hey, we're here, and we ain't leaving until the sh$t stops on our terms".

[Deleted User]

I got to do some work on the Iowa as a contractor back in the 80's. Walking up the gangplank was a banner that covered each side that read "The Big Stick is Back !". Yes, she truly was a sight to behold. :cool:

George Grand

I believe that image you displayed is USS New Jersey. I have a nice repro of it signed by Richard Milligan who was the captain of the ship at the time, and from Red Bank, NJ.

It's not a full broadside either. Only one gun from each turret is letting loose.

nooshinjohn

George Grand wrote: »

It's not a full broadside either. Only one gun from each turret is letting loose.

Two guns from each turret were fired in this shot. if you look closely at the position of the barrels, especially on the aft turret, you will see that two barrels are in recoil. The same for the center turret, though they have recovered somewhat. The forward turret has two flame columns emerging from guns one and three.

Still not a full broadside, but considering that 6 2000 pound shells just got sent down range some 20 miles faster than the speed of sound... not bad at all.:cool:

obieone

WTH are they sending it to L.A.? I can think of several ports, where it would much more welcome.......like Charleston, Savanah, Wilmington(NC).

audiobliss

Wow. I've never really been into ships, but that is glorious and awe-inspiring. I'd love to be able to go see one some day.

Thanks for sharing!

tonyb

obieone wrote: »

WTH are they sending it to L.A.? .

Hopefully to blow it to kingdom come....if we are to be that lucky.:cheesygrin:

nooshinjohn

tonyb wrote: »

Hopefully to blow it to kingdom come....if we are to be that lucky.:cheesygrin:

I am ready to man a gun...

obieone

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I am ready to man a gun...

I call dibs on the TLAM's

drumminman

I toured the Mighty 'Mo in 1962 as a kid when it was docked in Puget Sound. Also toured the North Carolina many times, which is moored in Wilmington, NC.

Though the latter is an earlier design than the Iowa Class, it's still impressive! The first time you see one of these in person you can't believe how big it is. Pics don't do them justice.

dkg999

I realize that modern war/strategic defense has changed since the era when these types of ships were constructed. I cannot even imagine the resources it takes to protect one of these ships when it's close in proximity to a conflict zone. However there is just an in-your-face, here-comes-the-cavalry type of message when you sail a battleship up close along a countries shoreline and ask them to reconsider their course of action.

nooshinjohn

dkg999 wrote: »

I realize that modern war/strategic defense has changed since the era when these types of ships were constructed. I cannot even imagine the resources it takes to protect one of these ships when it's close in proximity to a conflict zone. However there is just an in-your-face, here-comes-the-cavalry type of message when you sail a battleship up close along a countries shoreline and ask them to reconsider their course of action.

Their retirement is sadly long overdue, but even worse is that we no longer have the ability to project naval power with impunity. These legendary battlewagons served with honor and distinction as the crown jewels of a 600 ship navy two decades ago. Today, I doubt we could put a third of that number to sea, and even then almost half would not be combat ready...

God help us if we ever need to project power beyond the horizon of our own shores on more than one front.

obieone

I was fortunate enough to see the Wisconsin up close, at my last sea command. We were berthed behind her in Portsmouth, at the shipyard.
Bloody hell, what an impressive array of armaments on that vessel, talk about 'loaded to the t*ts':eek:
It actually reminded me of that scene in Mask, when Jim Carey whips out all those guns. And that's pretty much what those ships said, just by showing up: "Go ahead, make my day!"

mrbigbluelight

Awesome pics !

Those little cutesy-pie twin 5" guns mounted amidships don't belong on the same ship. Sure they're computer controlled and automated, etc, but ... they don't work worth a hoot. About half a dozen rounds before a shell gets locked in the breech and the boatswains are called out to hose down the barrels.

If I remember correctly, the Iowa class battleships had a crews complement of something like 3 or 4 thousand ?!
Throw in another 1000, and you have enough for an aircraft carrier.

Danny Tse

After a week of delay due to stormy weather, the USS Iowa finally sailed underneath the Golden Gate Bridge today on its voyager to Southern California....

Syndil

Danny Tse wrote: »

...navel museum.

Really? Something like this?

chumlie

Nice pictures. Of the boat.

Danny Tse

Syndil wrote: »

Really? Something like this?

LOL