Battleship Iowa

Lawrence Burr's "Battleship Iowa" stands as a comprehensive examination of one of the United States Navy's most storied warships. The book chronicles the history of USS Iowa (BB-61), the lead vessel of the Iowa-class battleships, from its conception and construction through its various deployments and eventual transformation into a museum ship. Burr brings together technical specifications, operational history, and human elements to create a multifaceted portrait of this legendary vessel.

The narrative begins with the strategic considerations that led to the Iowa-class design in the late 1930s. Burr explains how the escalator clause in the Second London Naval Treaty allowed the United States to increase battleship displacement limits, enabling the creation of these massive warships. The Iowa-class vessels were designed to balance firepower, armor protection, and speed in ways that would prove crucial during World War II. The author details how Iowa's keel was laid at the New York Naval Shipyard in 1940, with the ship being launched in August 1942 and commissioned in February 1943.

The technical specifications receive thorough attention throughout the book. Burr describes the Iowa's impressive dimensions, measuring 887 feet in length with a beam of 108 feet. The ship's nine 16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 guns, arranged in three triple turrets, could fire 2,700-pound armor-piercing shells over distances exceeding 20 miles. The secondary armament included twenty 5-inch/38-caliber guns, and as the war progressed, the anti-aircraft batteries were expanded significantly. The powerplant, consisting of eight boilers and four steam turbines generating 212,000 shaft horsepower, enabled the battleship to achieve speeds exceeding 33 knots, making it one of the fastest battleships ever built.

The book's coverage of Iowa's World War II service provides substantial detail about the ship's operational history. After shakedown cruises and training exercises, Iowa served as the flagship for several high-ranking officers. The vessel participated in operations across the Pacific Theater, including shore bombardments and carrier task force escort duties. Burr recounts the ship's involvement in the Marshall Islands campaign and subsequent operations against Japanese-held territories. The combination of speed and firepower made Iowa particularly valuable for protecting aircraft carriers from surface threats while also providing naval gunfire support for amphibious operations.

One of the more fascinating sections covers Iowa's brief period carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Tehran Conference in November 1943. Burr describes the special accommodations made for the president and his staff, as well as the security considerations involved in transporting the commander-in-chief through potentially hostile waters. This episode highlights the ship's significance beyond its combat role.

The post-World War II history receives equal attention. Iowa was decommissioned in 1949 but returned to service during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces. The ship underwent another decommissioning in 1958, only to be reactivated once more during the 1980s as part of the Reagan administration's 600-ship Navy plan. Burr discusses the modernization program that equipped Iowa with Tomahawk cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and updated electronics while retaining the main battery.

The tragic explosion in Turret Two during April 1989, which killed 47 sailors, receives careful and respectful treatment. Burr outlines the investigation process and the controversies that surrounded the official findings. This section demonstrates the author's commitment to presenting complex events with appropriate gravity and nuance.

Iowa's final decommissioning in 1990 and subsequent journey to becoming a museum ship in Los Angeles marks the concluding portion of the narrative. Burr explains the ship's designation as a National Historic Landmark and its role in preserving naval history for future generations. The transformation from active warship to floating museum required extensive planning and effort from preservation organizations and volunteers.

The book benefits from Burr's clear writing style and methodical organization. Complex technical information is presented in accessible language without oversimplification. The chronological structure helps readers follow Iowa's long career through multiple wars and peacetime periods. Photographs and diagrams supplement the text, though the quality and quantity may vary depending on the edition.

"Battleship Iowa" serves as a valuable resource for naval history enthusiasts, military historians, and anyone interested in American maritime heritage. The book successfully balances technical detail with narrative history, creating a comprehensive record of an iconic warship that served the nation across five decades. Burr's work ensures that the story of this remarkable vessel remains accessible to contemporary and future audiences.