USS Iowa Bell

I received these photos by e-mail. The USS Iowa ship’s bell was returned from the Iowa State House to the USS Iowa Museum. Under a loan agreement with the Navy’s History and Heritage Command, the bell will remain on the ship for three years with an option to extend that loan.

My thanks to F. L. Farrar and Ed Nystrom for the photos of the bell.

USS Iowa Museum, Los Angeles, CA

Iowa (BB-61) was the lead ship of the last class of U.S. Navy battleships. The battleship was originally commissioned in 1943, and served during World War II, the Korean War, and through the Cold War. Iowa earned 11 battle stars during her career and hosted three U.S. Presidents, ultimately earning the nicknames Battleship of Presidents and Big Stick. Iowa was awarded to the Pacific Battleship Center on September 6, 2011 for display at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California – home to the United States Battle Fleet from 1919 to 1940.

On October 27, 2011, the battleship was relocated from Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet to the Port of Richmond, California for painting and refurbishment. On May 27, 2012, Iowa was towed underneath the Golden Gate Bridge on its 75th anniversary for final placement at the LA Waterfront. Iowa opened in Los Angeles on July 4, 2012 to a crowd of over 1,500 supporters and veterans at Port of Los Angeles Berth 87.

Ready for uncrating

Lowering the bell

The final display. The Iowa Bell was placed on display aboard the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro Thursday, February 22, 2018.

USS Iowa 1943