Iowa class battleship Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Four battleships of the Iowa-class battleships (BB-61 through BB-64) were built in the early 1940s in the United States. Two other Iowa-class ships, Illinois and Kentucky, were scrapped prior to completion.
The Iowa class were constructed at two Navy Yards:
- Iowa (BB-61), built at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York;
- New Jersey (BB-62), built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard;
- Missouri (BB-63), built at the New York Navy Yard; and
- Wisconsin (BB-64), built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard
Currently, three of the ships are on display at the following locations:
USS New Jersey
On October 14, 2001, USS New Jersey opened as a museum at Camden, New Jersey.
USS Missouri
Located 1,000 yards from USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, Missouri was opened as a museum 29 January 1999. The museum is operated by the USS Missouri Memorial Association, a non-profit organization.
USS Wisconsin
Berthed in Norfolk, Virginia
General Characteristics (USS Iowa)
Class History
The Iowa class was the last battleship line built by the United States before switching over to an aircraft carrier based navy. The Iowa's were unique for several reasons. First, these ships were designed as "fast attack" battleships. Secondly, all of them were designed to fit through the Panama canal with two feet to spare on either side. Third, all four of the Iowa class battleships were recommissioned and refitted under the Reagan administration as part of Reagan's "600-ship Navy" plan. Fourth, these ships actively particiapted in the U.S. navy thoughout the latter half of the twentith century. Lastly, all four of the ships are still in existance, which is unusual because the navy usually uses derlict ships to test weapons on before scuttling them or selling them for scrap.
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