Photographic Moments of U.S.S. Iowa's Passage Through San Francisco Bay

Trademark 2002

Below you will find more photographs of IOWA's amazing transit within San Francisco Bay.  These shots below were taken by committee members George Bisharat and Mike McWilliams.  In total, HSMPS had six photo and film crews covering BB-61's movement within the Bay.  We hope you enjoy viewing these images, recording one of the most unique naval events in Bay Area and national history.  All photos are the property of HSMPS, reproduction without permission is prohibited.  

IOWA is towed past Mare Island, site of the first naval base on the West Coast.  IOWA is now approximately 20 miles north of San Francisco and in the North Bay, doing a leisurely 3 knots.  It took all day for IOWA to transit from the Golden Gate Bride to her final mooring in Suisun Bay, a distance of almost 30 miles.

IOWA passes under the Carquinez Bridge.  One of three fireboats (this one from the Vallejo FD) is astern throwing a plume of water almost a hundred of feet into the air. Also astern is the docked California Maritime Academy ("CMA") training ship GOLDEN BEAR.  IOWA's passage occurred on CMA's commencement day and hundreds of people came out to see BB-61's passage.

After passing underneath the Benicia Martinez Bridge, IOWA is carefully turned by Bay Delta's tractor tugs.  This was the final maneuver for IOWA after almost 6,000 sea miles, as she was nudged to her mooring with the reserve fleet in Suisun Bay, now merely hundreds of feet away.

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