USS Iowa Movement Gains Steam

[F104Jim]

The movement to get the USS Iowa to San Pedro is building up steam. Here's link to 01.03.10 Daily Breeze article:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_14320480?source=rv

[phantomphan1974]

I hope so!!

[Midnight Mover]

Cool

[rander]

I wish you well on this project. One thing you will need is money and lots of it. When the USS Midway was awarded to San Diego the "Bring Midway to San Diego Group" headed by rich guy Allen Uke had $10,000,000 in ready cash to do initial work to comply with local fire and environmental laws and install a sprinkler system through out all areas of the ship that would be open to visitors. When Midway was towed to San Diego (with a stop in Oakland to be painted) The Midway group paid $1,500 a mile to have the ship towed to San Diego. And then there was an $80,000 expense to have Midway Turned 180 degrees at Oakland so the paint crew did not have to paint over water.

What ever happens The Battleship Iowa group will need money at least $10,000,000 To get the Navy's attention that the Iowa Group can maintain the ship and not let it be a derelict of neglect.

[phantomphan1974]

We need to find the link to see if there is a way to donate if one wants too.  Its hard in these times, and I donated a couple times for the Haiti relief, Wear Red Women's heart heath, but every $1 counts for all organizations that get it.

[phantomphan1974]

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Iowa-May-Head-to-San-Pedro-83489102.html?__source=Newsletter-Daily

Iowa May Head to San Pedro
San Pedro's East Channel is one of two sites being considered
By SCOTT WEBER
Updated 3:06 PM PST, Wed, Feb 3, 2010


A group of organizers is stepping up their efforts to bring a historic World War II battleship to San Pedro and turn it into a museum.

According to the Daily Breeze, the recently created Pacific Battleship Center has hired two professional fundraisers and hopes to bid for the USS Iowa, sister ship to the USS Missouri where the peace treaty for World War II was signed.

San Pedro's East Channel is one of two sites being considered by officials. The area was the home of the US Navy from 1919 until shortly after World War II. Another location on Mare Island is also being considered but has run into dredging challenges that would have to be overcome, the Breeze said.

Los Angeles Port Officials are studying the East Channel proposal and hope to have a response to the group in 30 days, the Breeze reported.

The project is estimated to cost around $8.5 million, which Pacific Battleship Center would provide.

Robert Kent of Placentia, acting president of the group, told the Breeze, "We don't need a dime of government money. All we need is a place to put the ship."

The Iowa has had a long history of service including carrying President Franklin Roosevelt across the Atlantic to meet Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the Tehran Conference.

The Iowa was one of four World War II battleships in the Iowa class. It's sister ships, the USS Missouri, USS New Jersey and the USS Wisconsin are all permanent floating museums that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

[rander]

Here are  2 or 3 web sites ffor the Battleship Iowa at Mare Island still looking for the L A Group.

http://www.battleshipiowa.org/

http://www.savetheiowa.com/about-us.cfm

http://www.radioiowa.com/2009/12/11/group-seeks-support-funds-to-save-the-u-s-s-iowa/

I read through a number of  newspaper articles and it seems that 3 things are highlighted

1. THe L.A. Battleship Iowa Group already has all the money initially needed for the project.

2. The group is only waiting for The Los Angeles Port Commisioners say yes to berth Battleship Iowa in San Pedro.
   THis is apearently the biggest hurdle

3. In order for the Iowa to be berthed at Mare Island, The harbor must be dredged to allow Battleship Iowa to be towed to its berth. The City of San Francisco has already said the city will not pay for the dredging. THe Bay area is still quite anti military and berthing Battlship Iowa
there may not be in the U.S. Navys best interests.

[phantomphan1974]

Here are  2 or 3 web sites ffor the Battleship Iowa at Mare Island still looking for the L A Group.

http://www.battleshipiowa.org/

http://www.savetheiowa.com/about-us.cfm

http://www.radioiowa.com/2009/12/11/group-seeks-support-funds-to-save-the-u-s-s-iowa/

I read through a number of  newspaper articles and it seems that 3 things are highlighted

1. THe L.A. Battleship Iowa Group already has all the money initially needed for the project.

2. The group is only waiting for The Los Angeles Port Commisioners say yes to berth Battleship Iowa in San Pedro.
   THis is apearently the biggest hurdle

3. In order for the Iowa to be berthed at Mare Island, The harbor must be dredged to allow Battleship Iowa to be towed to its berth. The City of San Francisco has already said the city will not pay for the dredging. THe Bay area is still quite anti military and berthing Battlship Iowa
there may not be in the U.S. Navys best interests.

This is to our advantage then 

[phantomphan1974]

A San Franciso newpapers take on the USS Iowa in So Cal and ideas that they had planned.

http://thenewgay.net/2010/01/the-uncertain-voyage-of-the-uss-iowa.html

[phantomphan1974]

You can see in the photo how a "FULL SALVO" moves the ship.