USA - IOWA class

Iowa class
IOWA (BB-61)
NEW JERSEY (BB-62)
MISSOURI (BB-63)
WISCONSIN(BB-64)
ILLINOIS (BB-65)
KENTUCKY (BB-66)

	BB-61	BB-62	BB-63	BB-64	BB-65	BB-66
1st Commanding Officer:	Capt. J.L. McCrea	Capt. C.F. Holden	Capt. W.M. Callaghan	Capt. E.E. Stone	-	-
Authorised:	March 27, 1934 - June 3, 1936 - May 17, 1938	March 27, 1934 - June 3, 1936 - May 17, 1938	March 27, 1934 - June 3, 1936 - May 17, 19387	March 27, 1934 - June 3, 1936 - May 17, 1938	July 19, 1940	July 19, 1940
Keel Laid:	June 27, 1940	Sept. 16, 1940	Jan. 6, 1941	Jan. 25, 1941	Jan. 15, 1945	Dec. 6, 1944
Launched:	August 27, 1942	Dec. 7, 1942	Jan. 29, 1944	Dec. 7, 1943	no	Jan. 20, 1950
Commissioned:	February 22, 1943	May 23, 1943	June 11, 1944	April 16, 1944	Canceled August 12, 1945	Suspended Feb. 17, 1947 when 72.1% complete
Sponsor:	Mrs. Henry A. Wallace	Mrs. Charles Edison	Miss Margaret Truman	Miss Walter S. Goodland	-	-
Builder:	New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, NY	Philadelphia Navy Yard	New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, NY	Philadelphia Navy Yard	Philadelphia Navy Yard	Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia
Original Engines Manufactured:	General Electric geared turbines	Westinghouse geared turbines	General Electric geared turbines	Westinghouse geared turbines	Geared turbine	Geared turbine
Original Boilers Manufactured:	Babcock & Wilcox type: WT; no. 8	Babcock & Wilcox type: WT; no. 8	Babcock & Wilcox type: WT; no. 8	Babcock & Wilcox type: WT; no. 8	Babcock & Wilcox type	Babcock & Wilcox type
Original Fuel:	Oil, 7073 tons (2,121,900 gallons)	Oil, 7251 tons (2,175,300 gallons)	Oil, 7251 tons (2,175,300 gallons)	Oil, 7251 tons (2,175,300 gallons)	Oil, 7251 tons (2,175,300 gallons)	Oil, 7251 tons (2,175,300 gallons)
Drive:	Turbine, 4 screw (maximum propeller diameter 18'3")	Turbine, 4 screw (maximum propeller diameter 18'3")	Turbine, 4 screw (maximum propeller diameter 18'3")	Turbine, 4 screw (maximum propeller diameter 18'3")	Turbine, 4 screw (maximum propeller diameter 18'3")	Turbine, 4 screw (maximum propeller diameter 18'3")
Designed Speed:	33 knots	33 knots	33 knots	33 knots	33 knots	33 knots
Designed Shaft Horsepower:	212,000	212,000	212,000	212,000	212,000	212,000
Design Comments:	First-class Battleship; oil-fired boilers	First-class Battleship; oil-fired boilers	First-class Battleship; oil-fired boilers; last Battleship completed by the United States	First-class Battleship; oil-fired boilers	Construction canceled o nAugust 12, 1945 when 25% completed	-
Displacement Standard Tons:	45,000	45,000	45,000	45,000	57,600	45,000
Displacement Full Load Tons:	57,600 (modified to 58,000 when recommissioned in 1986)	57,600 (modified to 58,000 when recommissioned in 1982)	57,600 (modified to 58,000 when recommissioned in 1986)	(modified to 58,000 when recommissioned in 1987)	57,600	57,600
Design Crew Complement:	117 officers 1804 enlisted 2700 for war service WW2	117 officers 1804 enlisted 2700 for war service WW2	117 officers 1804 enlisted 2700 for war service WW2	117 officers 1804 enlisted 2700 for war service WW2	117 officers 1804 enlisted 2700 for war service	117 officers 1804 enlisted 2700 for war service
Construction Cost:	$100 million (80s reactivation $496 million)	$100 million (80s reactivation $496 million)	$100 million (80s reactivation $496 million)	$100 million (80s reactivation $496 million)	$100 million	$100 million
Length:	(o.a.) 887'7"	(o.a.) 887'7"	(o.a.) 887'3"	(o.a.) 887'3"	(o.a.) 887'	(o.a.) 887'
Beam:	108'2"	108'1"	108'2"	108'2"	108'	108'
Draught:	28'11"	28'11"	28'11"	28'11"	28'11"	28'11"
Guns:	9 - 16"/50 cal MK7 (41,600-yard range with AP rouns) 20-5"/38; 15 quad 40mm; 60-20mm (modernization of the 80s: 8 - MK143 Tomahawk ABLSs 40 - MK141 Harpoon, 6 - MK38 5"/38 (2); 4 - MK 15 CIWS)	9 - 16"/50 cal MK7 (41,600-yard range with AP rouns) 20-5"/38; 15 quad 40mm; 60-20mm (modernization of the 80s: 8 - MK143 Tomahawk ABLSs 40 - MK141 Harpoon, 6 - MK38 5"/38 (2); 4 - MK 15 CIWS)	9 - 16"/50 cal MK7 (41,600-yard range with AP rouns) 20-5"/38; 15 quad 40mm; 60-20mm (modernization of the 80s: 8 - MK143 Tomahawk ABLSs 40 - MK141 Harpoon, 6 - MK38 5"/38 (2); 4 - MK 15 CIWS)	9 - 16"/50 cal MK7 (41,600-yard range with AP rouns) 20-5"/38; 15 quad 40mm; 60-20mm (modernization of the 80s: 8 - MK143 Tomahawk ABLSs 40 - MK141 Harpoon, 6 - MK38 5"/38 (2); 4 - MK 15 CIWS)	9 - 16"/50 cal MK7 (41,600-yard range with AP rouns)	9 - 16"/50 cal MK7 (41,600-yard range with AP rouns)
Aircraft:	3	3	3	3	3	3
Catapults:	2, aft (80s modernization with helicopter pad)	2, aft (1968 modernized with helicopter pad)	2, aft (80s modernization with helicopter pad)	2, aft (80s modernization with helicopter pad)	2, aft	2, aft
Torpedo Tubes:	none	none	none	none	none	none
Armour:	Side Belt - 12.2" on 0.875" STS plate inclined 19 degrees (38.6' wide, top 10.6' class A) 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Lower Side Belt - 12.2" tapered to 1.625" inclined 19 degrees 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Deck Main - 1.5" Deck 2nd - 4.75"-5" Class B + 1.25 STS" Deck 3rd - 0.5" to 0.625" splinter 0.625" STS Bulkheads - 11.2" Barbettes - 17.3"-14.8"-11.6" to second deck, 3" 2nd-3rd deck, 1.5" below 3rd deck Turrets face plates - 17"+ 2.7" Turrets sides - 9.5" Turrets back plates - 12" Turrets roof plates - 7.25" Conning Tower sides - 17.5" Conning Tower roof - 7.25" Conning Tower deck - 4" communications tube - 16"	Side Belt - 12.2" on 0.875" STS plate inclined 19 degrees (38.6' wide, top 10.6' class A) 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Lower Side Belt - 12.2" tapered to 1.625" inclined 19 degrees 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Deck Main - 1.5" Deck 2nd - 4.75"-5" Class B + 1.25 STS" Deck 3rd - 0.5" to 0.625" splinter 0.625" STS Bulkheads - 11.2" Barbettes - 17.3"-14.8"-11.6" to second deck, 3" 2nd-3rd deck, 1.5" below 3rd deck Turrets face plates - 17"+ 2.7" Turrets sides - 9.5" Turrets back plates - 12" Turrets roof plates - 7.25" Conning Tower sides - 17.5" Conning Tower roof - 7.25" Conning Tower deck - 4" communications tube - 16"	Side Belt - 12.2" on 0.875" STS plate inclined 19 degrees (38.6' wide, top 10.6' class A) 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Lower Side Belt - 12.2" tapered to 1.625" inclined 19 degrees 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Deck Main - 1.5" Deck 2nd - 4.75"-5" Class B + 1.25 STS" Deck 3rd - 0.5" to 0.625" splinter 0.75" STS Bulkheads - 14.5" Barbettes - 17.3"-14.8"-11.6" to second deck, 3" 2nd-3rd deck, 1.5" below 3rd deck Turrets face plates - 17"+ 2.7" Turrets sides - 9.5" Turrets back plates - 12" Turrets roof plates - 7.25" Conning Tower sides - 17.5" Conning Tower roof - 7.25" Conning Tower deck - 4" communications tube - 16"	Side Belt - 12.2" on 0.875" STS plate inclined 19 degrees (38.6' wide, top 10.6' class A) 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Lower Side Belt - 12.2" tapered to 1.625" inclined 19 degrees 1.5" outer hull shell (decapping plate) Deck Main - 1.5" Deck 2nd - 4.75"-5" Class B + 1.25 STS" Deck 3rd - 0.5" to 0.625" splinter 0.75" STS Bulkheads - 14.5" Barbettes - 17.3"-14.8"-11.6" to second deck, 3" 2nd-3rd deck, 1.5" below 3rd deck Turrets face plates - 17"+ 2.7" Turrets sides - 9.5" Turrets back plates - 12" Turrets roof plates - 7.25" Conning Tower sides - 17.5" Conning Tower roof - 7.25" Conning Tower deck - 4" communications tube - 16"	Maximum thickness 18" at turret face plates	Maximum thickness 18" at turret face plates
Final Disposition:	1990 Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia Navy Yard; stricken from the Navy List Jan. 12, 1995; Feb. 12, 1998, restored to the Naval Register for spare parts; Sept. 24, 1998 transferred to Coddington Cove, Rhode Island for continued storage; Jan. 4, 1999 replaced New Jersey (BB-62) as mobilization asset awaiting final disposition	1992 Reserve Fleet at Bremerton, Washington; stricken from the Navy List Jan. 12, 1995; Feb. 12, 1998 returned to the Navy List; Jan. 4, 1999 stricken from list again. Nov. 1999 to Philadelphia Navy Yard to await transfer to State of New Jersey as a memorial.	1992 Reserve Fleet at Bremerton, Washinghton; a plate in her deck marks the spot of the signing of the Japanese Surrender Papers on Sept. 2, 1945, ending WW2; stricken from the Navy List Jan. 12, 1995, awaiting final disposition Aug. 21, 1996, Navy Secretary John Dalton annouced that Pearl Harbor will be the final berth of Missouri, adjacent to Arizona, arriving 1998. June 22, 1998, arrived at Pearl Harbor for berthing as a pernament memorial (officialy opened Jan. 29, 1999)	1991 Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia Navy Yard; stricken from Navy List Jan. 12, 1995; October 15, 1996 moved to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia; Feb. 12, 1998 returned to the Naval Register; awaiting final disposition	Scraped, hull broken in place	Sold for scrap to Boston Metals Co. of Baltimore, Maryland on Oct. 31, 1958; Designated SCB-19 in December, 1945; The 120 ton, 68 foot long section of her bow was used to repair the Wisconsin (BB-64) atter she collided with the Eaton (DDE-510) on May 6, 1955; Struck from Navy List on June 9, 1958
Commendations:	Nine WW2 Battle Stars, two Korean Battle Stars; United Nation Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; Korean and Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and others	Nine WW2 Battle Stars, four Korean Battle Stars; three Battle Stars for Vietnam	Three WW2 Battle Stars, five for Korea; served in Operation Desert Storm	Five WW2 Battle Stars; one for Korea; served in Operation Desert Storm	-	-

WW2 History Highlights:

BB-61

- August 27, 1943, to Newfoundland to neutralize the threat of German Battleship Tirpitz
- Fall of 1943, carried Franklin Delano Roosevelt to and from the Teheran Conference
- January 2, 1944, to Pacific as Flagship Battleship Division 7; January 1944 Marshalls, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Truk
- March 18, 1944 hit by two Japanese 4.7" shells; April, 1944 New Guinea and the Carolines
- June 19, 1944, Battle of the Philippine Sea; October 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf; March 1945 Okinawa
- May 6-8, 1945, off Japanese Home Islands; August 29, 1945 to Sept. 20, 1945 i nTokyo Bay as Admiral Halsey's Flagship
April 8 to October 16, 1952 off Korea; January 4, 1957 with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean
- Recommissioned April 28, 1984 to serve in Carrier and Battleship Command and Support Groups, also as a Command and Control ship; April 19, 1989 turret explosion in the #2 turret, killedd 47
- Commissioned Fen. 22, 1943, decommissioned March 24, 1949; recommissioned Aug. 25, 1951, decommisioned Feb. 24, 1958; recommissioned April 28, 1984, decommissioned October 26, 1990

BB-62

- Jan. 29 - Feb. 2, 1944 Kwajalein and Eniwetok Islands; April 13 - May 4, 1944 New Guinea; April 29-30, 1944 Truk; June 19, 1944 Battle of the Philippine Sea
- August 9, 1944 Flagship 3rd Fleet with Admiral Halsey at Okinawa, Formosa, Visayas, Leyte and Cebu
- October 29, 1944 friendly fire from Intrepid (CV-11) 3 on New Jersey were wounded; Dec. 30, 1944 - Jan. 25, 1945 Formosa, Okinawa, Luzon
- Feb. 19-21, 1945 at Iwo Jima; March 14 - April 16, 1946 at Okinawa; Sept 17, 1945 - Jan. 28, 1946 in Tokyo Bay as Flagship
- May 20, 1951 first shelling of Korea at Wonsan; May 21, 1951, 1crewman killed, 1wounded by shell fire from a shore battery near #1 turret; April 12, 1953 bombarded Conqjin, Korea; May 26, 1953 last shelling of Korea at Wonsan
- Sept. 30, 1968 near 17th parallel first shelling in Vietnam at the Demilitarized Zone, with 6 months of shelling to follow
- Recommissioned Dec. 28, 1982 to serve in Carrier and Battleship Command and Support Groups, also as a Command and Control ship; Oct. 23, 1983 a crewman was killed while in Beirut on shore duty at the U.S. Marine barracks, which was hit by the suicide truck bomber
- Commissioned may 23, 1943, decommissioned June 30, 1948; recommissioned Nov. 21, 1951, decommisioned Aug. 21, 1957; recommissioned April 6, 1967, decommissioned Dec. 17 1969, recommissioned Dec. 28, 1982, decommissioned Feb. 8, 1991

BB-63

- Jan. 13, 1945 at West Caroline Islands; Feb. 16, 1945 with Task Force 58 and with the first air strikes on Japan since Doolittle Raid of April 1942
- Feb. 19, 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima; March 14, 1945 with carrier raids on Japan; April 1, 1945 at Okinawa
- Was in carrier group that sank Japanese Battleship Yamato on April 7, 1945 which had the world's largest guns at 18.2"
- April 11, 1945 hit by kamikaze near the main deck; July and August 1945 with carrier raids on the Japanese Home Islands
- Sept. 2, 1945 the Japanese formal surrender for WW2 took place on her on deck from 09.02 to 09.30 hours; March 25, 1949 only U.S. Battleship in commission
- Jan. 17, 1950, when 1.6 miles from Thimble Shoals Light she ran aground; refloated on Feb. 1, 1950
- Sept. 14 - March 19, 1951 Korea; October 25, 1952 - Jan. 2, 1953 KOrea; Feb. 1, 1953 - March 25, 1953 Korea
- Recommissioned July 1, 1986 to serve in Carrier and Battleship Command and Support Groups, also as a Command and Control ship; served in Operation Desert Storm from Jan. 15 to Feb. 27, 1991
- Commissioned June 11, 1944, decommissioned Feb. 26, 1955; recommissioned May 10, 1986, decommissioned March 31, 1992

BB-64

- Dec. 9, 1944 with Admiral Halse's 3rd Fleet; Jan. 3 - 22, 1945 Lingayen Gulf Operations; Jan. 1945 in the South China Sea area
- Feb. , 1945 at Iwo Jima, March, 1945 Okinawa and Japanese Home Islands; April 1945 and June 1945 Japanese Home Islands
- March 24, 1945 at Okinawa; July 8, 1945 Japanese Home Islands; Sept. 5, 1945 Tokyo Bay with Occupation forces; Sept. 1945 "Magic Carpet" duty
- 1946/1947 Atlantic Fleet cruises; Jan. 1948 Atlantic Reserve Fleet
- Dec. 3, 1951 first shelling of Kasong, Korea; March 15, 1952 hit by 155mm shell on the starboard 40 mm mount wounding 3 men; 1953-54 Atlantic Fleet training cruises
- May 6, 1955, cillision with Eaton (DDE-510) - bow from Kentucky (BB-66) used for repair
- 1956-57 Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean and South Pacific cruises
- Recommissioned October 22, 1988 to serve in Carrier and Battleship Command and Support Groups, also as a Command and Control ship; served in Operation Desert Storm from Jan. 15 to Feb. 27, 1991
- Commissioned April 16, 1944, decommissioned July 1, 1948; recommissioned March 3, 1951, decommissioned March 8, 1958; recommisioned Oct. 22, 1988, decommissioned in Sept. 30, 1991

Notes. - Inclusive cost officially stated to exceed $100,000,000 each. Iowa and New Jersey were each build in 2 3/4 years, same period as occupied by tha Alabama, a smaller ship.
Special Notes. - The keel of the fifth ship of the Iowa's class, the Illinois, was laid down on January 15, 1945 at Philadelphia Navy Yard. By July 7th, the construction had progressed this far and the ship was officially cancelled a month later, on August 11, 1945, only about 22 % complete. Nothing was done with the ship after that and the remains were finally scrapped, this starting in September, 1958. The Illinois and her sister Kentucky (BB66), differed from the four completed ships in that their design called for an all welded construction. This would have saved weight and increased strength over a combination riveted/welded hull like was employed on the completed ships. There was thought of redesigning the hull with a "Montana" class type protection system for added torpedo protection. This was rejected and the two ships were being built along the regular Iowa class hull design.
Kentucky (BB66) was moved from her building dock at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, circa 20 January 1950. The ship, completed only up to her second deck, was launched to clear the drydock, so that USS Missouri (BB63) could undergo repairs there following her 17 January 1950 grounding. Note that Kentucky's upper bow section is stowed on her deck, immediately in front of her forward barbette.

IOWA	IOWA	IOWA	IOWA
IOWA
MISSOURI	MISSOURI	MISSOURI	MISSOURI in Brooklyn Yard
MISSOURI Tokio bay 02/09/1945	MISSOURI Tokio bay - Victory ceremony	MISSOURI Kamikadze attack 14/05/1945
WISCONSIN	WISCONSIN		NEW JERSEY