MY ship.... the USS IOWA BB61

hogwylde · Mar 7, 2014

Here's a GREAT video on the recommissioning of my ship when in the Navy. The USS Iowa BB61. I was there at the ceremony when George Bush presented Capt. Gneckow the ship as well as when they show sailors rebuilding schools in Central America.

I take great pride in having served on the USS IOWA and love to see people's reactions when they hear I served on her. We were the envy of the fleet.

The video is worth the 7:55 view.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kxz8kvznhpm3yuy/Iowa.wmv

snowman · Mar 7, 2014

Thank you, sir, for posting that, and thanks for your service.

I would be interested in more info if you get a chance. For instance, what is her status now? What changes were made to her to bring her up to date? -Were there targeting enhancements to help with the accuracy of the main guns? Where was her last engagement? -Desert Storm?

Just a few things that interest me -I've been watching videos on the old battleships, and think those main guns firing is one of the coolest sights there is in the use of military weaponry.

Regards,
Andy

kwselke · Mar 7, 2014

While researching the Battle of Okinawa I ran across this picture of the entire Iowa Class in some government archive. It had little to do with my research, but the image touched me; so I saved it.

shouldazagged · Mar 7, 2014

As a class, some of the most beautiful warships ever built.

hogwylde · Mar 7, 2014

snowman said:
Thank you, sir, for posting that, and thanks for your service.

I would be interested in more info if you get a chance. For instance, what is her status now? What changes were made to her to bring her up to date? -Were there targeting enhancements to help with the accuracy of the main guns? Where was her last engagement? -Desert Storm?

Just a few things that interest me -I've been watching videos on the old battleships, and think those main guns firing is one of the coolest sights there is in the use of military weaponry.

Regards,
Andy

Wow! Where do I start?

Enhancements? How about adding Tomahawk and Harpoon Missiles? How about the Phalynx system.....4,500 rounds of 20mm per min?!

As far as the 16" guns were concerned, I laid the projectile down flat so it could be loaded into the breach and then added 660# of powder to fire the beast! We were accurate in firing "Volkswagens" up to 32 miles.

I could go on and on......

rburg · Mar 7, 2014

OK, the 16" guns were a standard as I understand it. But one of the WWII battleships had 20" guns. Was it the German or the Japanese?

gm272gs · Mar 7, 2014

It is my understanding that the Yamato and her sister the Musashi were the largest battleships, at 72,809 long tons & 862 ft.

They each carried nine 18.1 inch main guns.

kwselke · Mar 7, 2014

rburg said:
OK, the 16" guns were a standard as I understand it. But one of the WWII battleships had 20" guns. Was it the German or the Japanese?

The Yamato and Mushashi had guns of 18.1". The velocity of those guns was less then the 16" guns on the Iowa Class ships. A duel would have favored the Iowas due to range. The Yamato class was killed by air power.

gm272gs · Mar 7, 2014

That's still 25 feet shorter than the Iowa, but a whole lot more displacement (17,099 long tons more).

gm272gs · Mar 7, 2014

kwselke said:
The Yamato and Mushashi had guns of 18.1". The velocity of those guns was less then the 16" guns on the Iowa Class ships. A duel would have favored the Iowas due to range. The Yamato class was killed by air power.

I'm no expert, but those 18.1" guns had a range of 35 miles.
The range of the 16" guns was just over 23 miles.

The Iowa (I believe) would have had the edge nonetheless, because of the (advanced for the time) guidance on her Mark 7 guns. The analog computer they used was much better than what the Japanese had.

kwselke · Mar 7, 2014

gm272gs said:
I'm no expert, but those 18.1" guns had a range of 35 miles.
The range of the 16" guns was just over 23 miles.

The Iowa (I believe) would have had the edge nonetheless, because of the (advanced for the time) guidance on her Mark 7 guns. The analog computer they used was much better than what the Japanese had.

You're probably right. Here's a picture of the Yamato.

zzzippper · Mar 7, 2014

Sorry, BB63 ruled the waves!

Badkarma 1 · Mar 8, 2014

I served on her sister the USS MISSOURI BB-63. Nice to see another "Battleship Sailor" in the room!!

"GUNNER'S MATE, Bringing THUNDER from the SEA!"
And the picture shown above was once entitled:" The Four Sisters Reunited"
Dale

Beemerguy53 · Mar 8, 2014

The USS New Jersey, BB-62, is docked at Camden, New Jersey, right across the Delaware River from downtown Philadelphia. In addition to the regular tours and other events held there, every June, the New Jersey Craft Brewers Association holds its BeerFest on the New Jersey.

Admission includes a tour of the ship, including one of the 16" turrets, the bridge, the Admiral's quarters, the wardroom, the galley, crews' quarters, and other areas. When the tour is over, you emerge on the fantail, under a tent, and sample microbrews to your heart's content while a band plays...what a great way to spend an early summer afternoon!

The attached photos were taken on my visits to the New Jersey over the years...

Just another 22 shooter · Mar 8, 2014

Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri........What was the fourth? I must be getting old; I can't remember

gm272gs · Mar 8, 2014

USS Wisconsin (BB-64).

5BeansintheWheel · Mar 8, 2014

Just another 22 shooter said:
Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri........What was the fourth? I must be getting old; I can't remember

BB64 Wisconsin

The last 2 ships where never completed.

I think from what I have read, the posted picture of the 4 completed ships steaming together is the only time they steamed together.

USN Ship Types--Iowa class (BB-61 through 66)

Patrick

gm272gs · Mar 8, 2014

kwselke said:
You're probably right. Here's a picture of the Yamato.

Now that was funny.

The Yamato was sunk by aircraft, dropping bombs on her. I still think that the Iowa could have done her in - if given the chance - however.

The first time I ever saw one of the projectiles from those 16" guns was on display in the museum at Annapolis. They are impressive.

5BeansintheWheel · Mar 8, 2014

gm272gs said:
Now that was funny.
The Yamato was sunk by aircraft, dropping bombs on her. I still think that the Iowa could have done her in - if given the chance - however.

The first time I ever saw one of the projectiles from those 16" guns was on display in the museum at Annapolis. They are impressive.

Ching Lee and the fast battleships almost had the chance to cross the T.

The world wonders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Battle of Leyte Gulf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Patrick

vonn · Mar 8, 2014

Pretty sure the New Jersey provided fire support in RVN in 1968. Big guns are awesome!

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