TOURS PLANNED FOR U.S.S. IOWA

If awarded to HSMPS, a fundamental long-term goal of turning the U.S.S. Iowa into a museum and naval memorial is to empower an educational asset that focuses on historical, sociological and technical disciplines.  The battleship is a vast archive of human experience, an enormous classroom of learning that spans both human emotions and thought. 

From the historical perspective, the IOWA class of battleships span an impressive timeline of our nation's history: WWII, Korea, the Cold War. the Persian Gulf conflicts.  Beloved by presidents, they were in every wartime theater and as diplomatic emissaries they were the Air Force One of their day.  To tour the battleship is to bring history alive. 

The technological prowess of these enormous ships is such that math, chemistry, computer sciences, structure and mechanical engineering all come into play.   To take a class of students aboard the U.S.S. Iowa is to immerse them in a steel chamber teaming with infectious technical know-how.  Overnight programs for thousands of young folk each year will significantly enhance this already rewarding experience.  The result will turn theory into practice and prove a great motivator.

A ship is more than just steel, it is alive.  It is home to its crew.  There is really nothing else like it in the spectrum of military and nonmilitary experience.  The larger the ship, the more this holds true.  In the field of Navy platforms, the U.S.S. Iowa (and her sister battleships) remain one of the most complex platforms ever designed, this is especially the case from an organizational perspective. 

Sample of projected tours to be offered aboard U.S.S. Iowa follow.  Note, all photos are in the public domain and available. Click on to enlarge and afterward click on back arrow on tool bar to return to this page:

WEATHER DECK TOURS:

Visitors can stroll IOWA's teak decks at will.  They will be able to marvel at the enormous three turrets sporting nine 16-inch main guns.  They will be able to climb five decks for awesome views.  Here they will be able to observe the missile launchers for anti-ship Harpoon and long range land and ship attack Tomohawk cruise missiles. 

02 Level This area is beneath bridge just behind turrent#2. President Roosevelt's cabin accesses this area.	Bow This view overlooks anchor chians and turrent#1 from the tip of the bow.	Gun Turret#3 This photo shows the area around gun turret#3 and was taken from the stern.	Turret#1 View from the bow of turrent#1.

 BELOW DECKS AND INTERIOR SPACES TOURS:

1.  WEAPONS:  Guided tours will show visitors ship's armament and armor.  This is a roving tour that will address the operation of IOWA's weaponry.  The big guns are protected by thick armor and operated by heavy equipment while being supported by complex targeting and solution driven fire control equipment.  Meanwhile, IOWA's offensive missile systems and short-range close-in anti-missile defense systems are operating off separate systems in different areas of the ship.  These areas will be visited. 

16-Inch Main Battery A cut-away image of the main battery. IOWA was fitted with three turrets (3-guns each). These guns are the largest in the world and can fire a 2,700 pound shell 24 miles.	5-inch Mount Photo of twin 5-inch mounts. Iowa has six turrents.	Main Plot Photo of main plot for aiming and firing the guns.	Fire Control Switchboard Fire control switchboard in main plot for controlling the guns.	A Phalanx CIWS Mount This close-in weapon system destroys incoming missiles. IOWA deployed with 4 platforms.
Harpoon Missiles Harpoon missiles are ship-to-ship missile systems with a 65 mile range.	TomoHawk Missile Systems These cruise missiles could hit land or sea targets and can have a range of 1,500 nautical miles. They could be nuclear tipped.

2. RUNNING U.S.S. IOWA:  Guided tours will escort folks to key areas of IOWA's operating and control functions.  Steering and steam generation will take visitors on a wide ranging tour of the ship that will be sure to generate a healthy appreciation for the ship's complexity.  This behind the scenes inspection will be equipment rich and technically robust.

Boiler Main Control Iowa has four boiler and turbine spaces, each with individual control systems.	Broadway Broadway is a passageway deep in the ship that connects main batteries forward and aft. It also connects all main engine rooms.	IOWA Radar Man After her modernization IOWA was packed with electronic gear.

3. GALLEY, BERTHS AND SUPPORT FUNCTIONS ABOARD U.S.S. IOWA:  Guided tours will take visitors to living spaces aboard the battleship, including the massive galley, President Roosevelt's and Captain's cabin, officer's wardroom., berthing spaces and post office.

Mess Decks IOWA's mess decks were crowded and open.	Galley Iowa main galley served food to enlisted crew and chiefs. At one time that number exceeded 2,600.	Racks Upgraded crew's sleeping quarters were less crowded and more comfortable.	Supply Office Supos kept the crew fed and the machinery with spare parts.

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