Trademark 2002

Now you can see the U.S.S. Iowa (BB-61) moored at the inactive ship facility in Suisun Bay, California by taking a cruise with Bay View Charters, www.bayviewcharters.com, 800-817-8774, phone 707 747-5443, fax 707 751-1856, e-mail bvcharters@aol.com.  No, you need not charter the boat.  Instead, board with others on regularly scheduled cruises.  These two-hour trips aboard the 40 foot M/V JOURNEY are very reasonably priced and leave from Martinez, California (30 miles north of San Francisco) and take you to within 500 feet of the battleship.  During these cruises, you get a great view of one of America's most historic and powerful ships.  As you linger off the starboard side of the IOWA, the breath and majesty of the BB-61 are simply staggering to behold and the photographic opportunities outstanding.  This is definitely one of the best ways to see the IOWA, which is not open to the public.  While viewing the battleship, you are also treated to a tour of one of the largest reserve fleet sites on the West Coast, destroyers, cruisers, oilers, merchant ships--an amazing fleet of almost 100 vessels. 

HSMPS staff and former IOWA crewmembers often take these trips to the IOWA, answering questions about the battleship and her future here in the Bay Area.  This is a real chance to hear first hand, stories from former crew members about President Roosevelt's trip aboard IOWA, the surrender ceremony marking the end of World War II when IOWA steamed alongside sister ship MISSOURI, or what is was like being on the gun line during the Korean War.  Want to know how it felt to fire IOWA's main battery and serve our nation in some of its most defining and historic moments?  This may be an opportunity to learn from those who were served on the IOWA.  Hear how the IOWA was brought to Suisun Bay.  Come aboard Bay View Charters and meet some of those who worked directly with the Navy and Congress in bringing this 58,000 ton battlewagon to the Bay Area.  Learn about the process of  relocating the IOWA to the Bay Area, including the strength of support within Congress and the Navy.  Meet the folks who can tell you why IOWA's top mast is off and how the pilots at the Panama Canal all wanted IOWA ball caps when she passed through the locks.  Find out where IOWA may go after she is retired from the reserve fleet.  Want to understand how she will get to San Francisco as a museum and memorial?  This is your chance.  Maybe you will even want to join the Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square ("HSMPS").

Fine food and drink are available as well.  You can linger on deck or sit in the main deck cabin and get a fabulous view.  Everywhere you go or look, you will find something new to see and learn in a very enriching and exciting environment. 

Bay View Charters is donating a portion of the proceeds earned toward supporting HSMPS and our effort to preserve the IOWA here in the Bay Area.  Your very economical and rewarding experience aboard Bay View Charters to see the IOWA supports the preservation of our collective history and  rich naval legacy.   See you aboard!

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