Sierraben, big fan of the Hornet here. Back when I was a Scout I slept over on the Hornet courtesy of their liveaboard program. A few weeks ago I went back and the place is even cooler now than a few years ago. The engine room tour is SWEET. By the way, the Hornet CV-8 that launched the Doolittle raid on Japan in 1942 was sunk. The Hornet in Alameda is CV-12, and is hailed as the greatest Navy ship of all time. The Hornet's planes sunk more tonnage (including the Yamato) and shot down more enemy planes than any other US ship in history.

As far as the Iowa desicion, I've never seen a dumber group than the San Francisco Board of Stupidvisors. These people are so unbelievably anti-American and anti-military it boggles my mind how they hold elected office. No wait, it doesn't. The people of San Francisco agree with them.

 

The news account I saw indicated Stockton would be thrilled to get the ship. If so, sounds like a good home.

 

fordmarshall111, Not all of us agree with "them". These are transplants from other parts of the country.

I wish they go back to their home states; and the other transplants too.

Yep, the original sank in '42. BTW, 2 U.S. destryoers also tried to sink her, because she was too far gone. They pumped over 400 5'' shells and 9 torpedos into her. It took jap warships firing 4 22'' torpedos to finally sink her.

remf, Stockton is in deed lucky to get the Iowa , as so was Hawaii (USS Missouri).

I wouldn't mind sending "them" (S.F.Board of Stupidvisors) to the Aleutian Islands.

 

I wonder how well "THEY" know their history (past or current).

1. There is a WWII submarine docked at fisherman's warf right now. The USS Pampanito. Attracts over 100,000 visitors a year.

2. The Iowa fought in the Pacific campaing during WWII. Was overhauled in San Francisco in January of 1945. I'm sure she called SF home on many other occasions.

3. I don't really recall ever hearing of any anti-war protests in SF during WWII. In fact, IIRC, SF was a major staging port for much of our Pacific war effort.

 

They loaded the B-25's onto the Hornet for the Doolittle Raids here.

"They" either don't know or care about the history, which gave them the opportunity to do what ever "they" do.

They have their own agendas. I just wish they would take it to a different place, like Bogata or medellin, Columbia.

See how long "they" last.

 

I was just glad to walk the deck on the Missouri up in Seattle b4 they towed her over to Hawaii. I would have liked to go inside for a complete tour tho.

 

My Dad was on the USS Grouper (Late WW II) submarine, and was on the comissioning crew of the USS George Bancroft (Ben Franklin SSBN). We flew out with him for its decomissioning a few years ago. Pretty darn impressive to see all these old sailors together.

 

I wish there was a way to float the Iowa up the Mississippi and berth it somewhere on the eastern edge of her home state... but I'm glad that somewhere out there there's a place who wants the old girl and will take care of her.

The Iowa State Historical Society has the ship's bell on display... I've seen it a few times. Seems like every kid in Iowa went there for a field trip in elementary school.

 

To bad they don't just put her back into commission and bombard San Francisco with her.

J/K, wouldn't want to endanger Sierraben!

- Chris

 

Hey, I'd be the one pushing the firing button for her 16" guns; towards "them".

 

Oh ok, disregard my post then, fire at will!

http://www.afn.org/~scotsman/photos/uss.iowa.jpg Heres a picture for you Sierra

- Chris

 

yes sir!

"FIRE IN THE HOLE"

My kind of firepower.

I wonder if they make one of those guns in a holster mount?

Hey, Fleetweek should be here in October; hopefully along with the Blue Angels.

Can't wait.

 

Tomcat,

Impressive photo!! I especially like the shape of the water around the guns showing the blast radius, very cool!!

Randy

 

The USS North Carolina is berthed permanently in Wilmington, N.C. It's been there since 1966, and they keep opening up more and more of it to the public. Last year we could go through the targeting areas and the magazines. It's a sister ship to the Iowa and Big Mo.

The engine room looks better than the US Navy ships I was stationed on in the '70's and '80's.

 

The USS Texas is the last surviving Dreadnought Battleship in the world, the british who created this type of battlewagon making all others obsolete do not even have one. The Texas served in the Pacific during WWII providing support for Marine landings. As for size, in comparison to the mighty Iowa Class Battlewagons(the last class of battleship made in the US and the last battleships to be used in the world, though another class was being started late during WWII production was halted as the end of the war neared and what was produced of these ships were used for spare parts) the Texas was a rowboat incomparison in armor gun caliber and size.
Of the 4 ships,IOWA, MISSOURI, WISCONSIN & NEW JERSEY, The NJ not seeing much use, I remember growing up in Philly seeing her moored in the Navy Yard awwing at the size and being saddened at how she was left to rot. Though all four were brought out of mothball during the Reagan years the NJ seemed to be left be hind getting no recognition. I still wonder of her fait.
Being a soldier for the last 15 years, I dont get to deal with the navy or ships that often but have always been awwed and had a fascination with battlewagons sice visiting Admiral Deweys flagship the OLYMPIC and the WWII sub Bacuna in Philly to visiting the California Class battleship North Carolina (which had a very short active life of 7 years) with my wife years ago.
During Desert Storm the Mo and Wis were used as Artillery platforms, now as an Artilleryman myself, I can only imagine the awsom power and devistation those 16 inch shells brought on in comparison the to the 105mm that I was manning during that war.
Its ashamed that all four have been or will be decomissioned, these ships strike fear even in todays modern warefare in to those who see them and the devistation they can cause. A destr<! >oyer or modern cruiser cannot do that. I believe that at least one should be kept prepped at all times for any contingency. The AC 130, B52, A10 are old flying combat platforms but are still in use. Mind you yes a battlewagon is expensive to man and operate but the thought of having a platform that no one else has and the sense of security one of these ships gave to the servicemen and women and to civilians as well when one of these ships was around in and out of combat is unmatched.
But then again maybe Im just an old soldier, believing in the KISS theroy and if it aint broke dont fix it realm. Modern technology just drives me nuts and doesnt always work. But the one thing that can never be replaced(if you want a truly decisive victory) Is the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and never forget the Coast Guardsmen that man and use this gear. Thats one old thing proven battleworth by its self for centuries.
Chess anyone?