[07-11-2024] Various forum updates made.
Quotehttp://thenewgay.net/2010/01/the-uncertain-voyage-of-the-uss-iowa.html
Quote from: rander on February 04, 2010, 05:33:17 PM
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.
Quotehttp://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.