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March - December 1943 / Shakedown Cruise & Getting Ready for War
1944 - 1945
Post World War II - 1950
1951 - 1953 Korea
1954 - 1982
1983 - 1984
1985 - 1986
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| Click On Image For Full Size Image | Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 29 | Iowa's (BB-61) crest. | USN photo. | |
 | 100k | Keel laying ceremony for the Iowa (BB-61), as seen on 27 June 1940 at the New York Navy Yard. Shipyard Superintendents, foremen and chargemen who will lead the yard workers on the project look on as Rear Admiral C. H. Woodward, Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair Bu C & R) drives the first rivet. | U. S. Navy photo & partial text from the book "IOWA CLASS BATTLESHIPS-Their Design, Weapons and Equipment" by Robert F. Sumrall & Tom Walkowiak, submitted by Mike Green. | |
 | 152k | In this photograph of the Iowa (BB-61), taken 30 September 1940, construction of the double and triple bottoms is clearly shown. The tunnel stern begins to take shape aft as the half siding for the keel rises on the plating supports. Note the prefabricated sections of the double and triple bottoms stacked aft ready to be dropped into place. | U. S. Navy photo & partial text from the book "IOWA CLASS BATTLESHIPS-Their Design, Weapons and Equipment" by Robert F. Sumrall & Tom Walkowiak, submitted by Mike Green. | |
 | 186k | In this photograph of the Iowa (BB-61), taken in July, 1941, the various tanks of the torpedo
defense system are clearly visible. This view is looking forward from No. 2 boiler room. Note the foundation bulkhead, or stool, for Turret No. 2. Armor installation has just begun and the first plates for the lower belt can be seen on either side of boilers No. 3 and 4. They can be distinguished from the other plates with scalloped butt straps by the keelway at the top of the plate. This lower armor belt formed Torpedo Bulkhead No. 3. | U. S. Navy photo & partial text from the book "IOWA CLASS BATTLESHIPS-Their Design, Weapons and Equipment" by Robert F. Sumrall & Tom Walkowiak, submitted by Mike Green. | |
 | 70k | The Iowa class preliminary design model shows the kinship between this class and the South Dakotas. Note the hull slot, which was faired over when the ships were built. The model also shows the usual prewar compliment of 12-foot navigational range finders (including one atop No.3 turret) and range clocks (the forward one is just visible under the platform atop the forward fire control tower). Note, too, the usual pair of boat cranes. They were never fitted, and the planned boat stowage was replaced by three quadruple 40mm mounts on each side, on high platforms. When the New Jersey(BB-62) was being refitted in 1982, workmen found the original boat skids under these platforms. The object atop the conning towers is a spoting glass, which actually was installed aboard the South Dakotas but not aboard these ships. | Photo and text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. | |
 | 55k | The Iowa class inboard profile. | Photo and text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. | |
 | 126k | Front cover of the launching program of the Iowa (BB-61) at the New York Navy Yard, 27 August 1942. | Photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 188k | Being prepared for launching, at the New York Navy Yard, NY, circa late August 1942. Note: heavy chains used to brake the ship after she had entered the water; and men lounging at lower right, near a Navy Department safety poster, listening to a Marine Corps band. | Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-K-13507, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 112k | Hoisting one of the ship's nine 16"/50 Mark VII main battery guns on board, while she was fitting out, at the New York Navy Yard, circa Autumn 1942. Another gun is still on the pier, at the bottom of the photo. | Official U.S. Navy Photograph,USNHC # 80-G-K-513, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 92k | A welder at work on one of the turrets of the Iowa (BB-61), while she was fitting out at the New York Navy Yard, circa Fall 1942. | USN / USNI photo. | |
 | 112k | Workmen installing the battleship's forward 16"/50 gun turrets, while she was fitting out at the New York Navy Yard, circa Autumn 1942. View looks aft and to port, with the number two turret in the center of the view and the forward fire control tower at left. Note "Moto Crane" in lower left. | Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-K-515, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 513k | The type of view a kamikaze pilot could expect without the gun bursts. Iowa (BB-61) shortly before comissioning. She is still without her Secondary Battery Director Fire Control radars (MK.4) and her SG surface search radar atop the main mast. Also some of her Mk.2, quadruple 40mm mounts still have to be fitted. Note the antenna trunks on the Flag Bridge level in front of her aft stack. Atop Spot 2 radar equipment Mk.8 with "Old Glory" above it. On that same level, between the stack and spot 2, a left - and right hand and loading machine. P/S of her stack two 36-Inch searchlights. The covered objects in the tubs are Mk.51 directors & Director Mk.51 Mod.2 with Gun Sight Mk.14 Mod.2. | USN photo # 80G-K-826 & text courtesy of Pieter Bakels. 5-Inch loading machines photo was taken aboard North Carolina(BB-55) in the late 1980's by Lt.Cdr.C.E.Knight, USN(Ret). |
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 | 121k | Commissioning ceremonies on the ship's after deck, at the New York Navy Yard, NY, 22 February 1943. Note: Mark 38 main battery director with Mark 8 fire control radar on top, 16"/50 triple gun turret, freshly raised National Ensign, and incomplete condition of some features of the ship's after superstructure. | Official U.S. Navy Photograph, USNHC # 80-G-K-825, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.
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