USS Iowa Museum

The Battleship USS Iowa Museum is a maritime museum located at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, United States. The museum's main artifact is the USS Iowa (BB-61), lead ship of the Iowa class of battleships.

This article is about the museum ship. For the battleship before its retirement, see USS Iowa (BB-61). For other uses, see USS Iowa.
USS Iowa Museum
Established2012 (2012)
LocationPort of Los Angeles, California
United States
Coordinates33.7416°N 118.2775°W / 33.7416; -118.2775
TypeMuseum ship
Nearest parkingOn-site
WebsitePacific Battleship Center

History

USS Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship of the last class of U.S. Navy battleships to be built by the United States. The battleship was originally commissioned in 1943,[1] and served during World War II, the Korean War, and through the Cold War. Iowa earned 11 battle stars during her career and hosted three U.S. Presidents, ultimately earning the nicknames Battleship of Presidents and Big Stick. Iowa was awarded to the Pacific Battleship Center on September 6, 2011 for display at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California – home to the United States Battle Fleet from 1919 to 1940.

On October 27, 2011, the battleship was relocated from Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet to the Port of Richmond, California for painting and refurbishment.[2] On May 27, 2012, Iowa was towed underneath the Golden Gate Bridge on her 75th anniversary for final placement at the Los Angeles Waterfront.[3] Iowa opened in Los Angeles on July 4, 2012 to a crowd of over 1,500 supporters and veterans at Port of Los Angeles Berth 87.[4] The USS Iowa Museum offers daily tours, group programs, education visits, special events, filming, military ceremonies, and is in the process of starting an overnight program.

Daily tours include visits to see the largest guns (16"/50 caliber) on a U.S. Navy ship,[5] officers ward room, President Roosevelt's cabin, armored bridge, missile decks, enlisted berthing, mess decks, helicopter deck, and other areas. The ship is located at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center and has over 2,100 parking spaces available.

Iowa has played various roles in films and television series including NCIS: Los Angeles, American Warships, Bermuda Tentacles, The Rookie, and Dark Rising. Iowa is home to annual American-focused events including the City of Los Angeles Veterans Appreciation,[6] a Memorial Day Celebration,[7] and September 11 remembrance.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Naval Vessel Registry". www.nvr.navy.mil. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  2. McGlothlen, John (October 27, 2011). "USS Iowa on the move". Gazette. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  3. Chawkins, Steve (May 27, 2012). "Bay Area crowds see battleship Iowa off on final voyage". L.A. Times. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  4. Littlejohn, Donna (July 3, 2012). "Veterans take a bow at July 4th USS Iowa commissioning". Daily Breeze. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  5. "Mark 7 16-inch/50-caliber gun". fas.org. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  6. "Veterans Appreciation Festival at USS Iowa". Press Telegram. November 10, 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  7. "Service Members Honored at Memorial Celebration on USS Iowa". KTLA. May 27, 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  8. "9/11 Observance aboard USS Iowa, San Pedro". Daily Breeze. September 11, 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
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