Been in the US for just over a month now. Got a glimpse of the USS Iowa in Suisan Bay but only from the road bridge. Couldn't really make much out as she seemed to be covered in tents or something.
But today visited the USS Wisconsin. Being from Australia the biggest ship I have seen is a container ship. This was something different. Seeing one in person has just reinforced my belief that the battleship is the most fearsome looking weapon man has ever devised.
We came in through Newport News and had a look at the Northdrop Grumman ship yards and got a small look at the the USS Carl Vinson and the USS George Bush. They are big ships, could see some RAM missile tubes but that was about it. Funny to be so close to a couple of buzzing Nuclear Reactors.
The Wisconsin was something else. Like a massive dog baring its teeth. Looks like it could put a Nimitz class under the water in seconds. I noticed that she still seemed to have dehumidifiers running. One of the guides told me she is still technically a Navy ship and is yet to be released as a Museum ship unlike Missouri and New Jersey. These were the only questions I could get in with the guide as he was being mobbed by children (Probably would have talked his ears off anyway).
One thing I noticed was the small dents all over the turrets. Are these shell and shrapnel marks or just casting inperfections?
Would love to have seen the Yamato in real life just cos she was best the bad guys had but it was fantastic to see one of the Iowas. The only thing that could top it would be to see her underway at 33knots.
It would be a sad day if the Iowa gets scrapped or sunk as a target. San Francisco should really look at where they got there freedoms they enjoy today from and give the Iowa a home. Just my opinion of course.
-Jared
But today visited the USS Wisconsin. Being from Australia the biggest ship I have seen is a container ship. This was something different. Seeing one in person has just reinforced my belief that the battleship is the most fearsome looking weapon man has ever devised.
We came in through Newport News and had a look at the Northdrop Grumman ship yards and got a small look at the the USS Carl Vinson and the USS George Bush. They are big ships, could see some RAM missile tubes but that was about it. Funny to be so close to a couple of buzzing Nuclear Reactors.
The Wisconsin was something else. Like a massive dog baring its teeth. Looks like it could put a Nimitz class under the water in seconds. I noticed that she still seemed to have dehumidifiers running. One of the guides told me she is still technically a Navy ship and is yet to be released as a Museum ship unlike Missouri and New Jersey. These were the only questions I could get in with the guide as he was being mobbed by children (Probably would have talked his ears off anyway).
One thing I noticed was the small dents all over the turrets. Are these shell and shrapnel marks or just casting inperfections?
Would love to have seen the Yamato in real life just cos she was best the bad guys had but it was fantastic to see one of the Iowas. The only thing that could top it would be to see her underway at 33knots.
It would be a sad day if the Iowa gets scrapped or sunk as a target. San Francisco should really look at where they got there freedoms they enjoy today from and give the Iowa a home. Just my opinion of course.
-Jared
Comment