Battleship IOWA departs Suisun Bay

The big news in naval history last week was the formal transfer of the battleship Iowa (BB-61) to the Pacific Battleship Center, and her subsequent departure from the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, CA. Iowa‘s transfer to a private organization closes the book on the battleship era. Nicknamed “the Big Stick,” Iowa is the last remaining U.S. battleship to find a home as a museum ship. The Pacific Battleship Center is working hard to prepare a permanent home for this historic ship at the Port of Los Angeles. Iowa will get a fresh coat of paint and some much need cleaning in Richmond, CA, prior to her final tow to Los Angeles early next year.

One of our colleagues, Bob Fish from the USS HORNET Museum, observed Iowa‘s two-day journey from Suisun Bay to Richmond from a fishing boat. He shared a series of photographs with us, and we’d like to share them with you. They give a good sense of the sequence of events that took place during this successful move.

We’ve also uploaded a photo essay with some spectacular images from USS Iowa‘s many years of service on our Facebook page, please head on over there to check them out. And be sure to watch this time lapse video of Iowa on the move on the USA Today website.

Update (7 Nov 2011): Bob Fish, who shared these great photos with us, has also penned a short article about Iowa‘s history. Please take a moment to read it: USS Iowa – Farewell Salute to “The Big Stick.”

Tugboats pull the battleship IOWA free from the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, CA. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

Battleship IOWA approaches the Benicia-Martinez bridges over the Carquinez Straits. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

IOWA going between the three bridges stern first (I-680 southbound auto traffic far left, Union Pacific Railroad on the immediate left, I-680 northbound auto traffic on the right) (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

Tugs maneuver IOWA through a 180 degree turn to get her bow pointed first for the next day's journey down the straits into SF bay. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

IOWA at the Benicia auto pier, where she spent Thursday night. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

IOWA exiting the Carquinez Straits into SF bay on Friday. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

IOWA peeking out from under the Richmond-San Rafael bridge on SF bay. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

Silhouette of IOWA as she enters the Richmond inner harbor channel. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)

IOWA moored at pier 3 in Richmond where she will be painted and cleaned. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Fish, USS HORNET Museum)