USS Iowa (BB-4)

{{otherships|USS Iowa}} {| The second half of the 19th century saw radical changes in shipbuilding design. Wood-built sailing ships with cannons were replaced by steam-powered warships armored with steel. There was great interest in new shipbuilding techniques and a search for stronger metal alloys, and discussion of new designs, centerboards, ventilating techniques, with active participation between private builders and naval designers.{{sfn|New York Times 8 November 1895}} The [[United States Congress|Congress of the United States]] authorized a {{convert|9000|LT|t|abbr=on}} warship on 19 July 1892. Specifically, it was for a 'seagoing coastline battleship', to fill the Navy's desire for a ship that could sail and fight effectively in open waters; the preceding {{Sclass|Indiana|battleship|4}}— authorized by Congress as 'coast-defense battleships'— had many problems with endurance and speed.{{sfn|Friedman|1985|pp=29–30}} ''Iowa'' had a unique design and did not belong to a specific [[ship class]].{{sfn|New York Times 24 April 1896}} She represented an upgrade from the ''Indiana''s.{{sfn|New York Times 24 April 1896}} ''Iowa''{{'}}s [[keel]] was built by [[William Cramp and Sons]] of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] on 5 August 1893,{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} who also built the [[coal]]-powered, {{convert|11000|ihp|kW|lk=in|abbr=on}} vertical reciprocating [[steam engine]]s. It had twin above-board {{convert|14|in|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s. She carried {{convert|1795|ST|t|abbr=on}} of coal. ''Iowa'' was based on the earlier ''Indiana''-class with similar armament layout and four {{convert|12|in|mm|abbr=on}} guns in twin [[Gun turret|turrets]] fore and aft, supplemented by four twin {{convert|8|in|mm|abbr=on}} turrets. There was extensive testing of new armor plating; at one point, ''Iowa'' was fired on in testing to assess the strength of its steel shell.{{sfn|New York Times 8 November 1895}} Like ''Indiana'', ''Iowa'' was made using "Harveyized steel".{{sfn|New York Times 24 April 1896}} Several design modifications made ''Iowa'' a far more powerful warship than its predecessors. The diameter of the main four largest guns was {{convert|12|in|abbr=on}}{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}}{{sfn|New York Times 22 January 1899}} and were hydraulically powered. The vessel had a larger margin of freeboard and a longer hull and [[forecastle]], which resulted in a more stable and seaworthy ship.{{sfn|Friedman|1985|p=30}} Further, the raised height made the gunnery area drier and further reduced the risk of malfunctions due to wet weather. By utilizing the [[Harvey armor|Harvey process]], ''Iowa''{{'}}s armor was thinner but stronger than the [[nickel-steel]] used in the ''Indiana''s.{{sfn|Friedman|1985|p=30}} Compared to British warships, ''Iowa'' had excellent speed ({{convert|18|kn|mph km/h|lk=in|abbr=on}}) but was {{convert|3500|LT|t|abbr=on}} lighter. Later, turret diameters were enlarged to {{convert|14|in|abbr=on}}. [[File:USS Iowa BB-4 battleship image.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Picture of USS Iowa (BB-4) in 1898 in New York Harbor|The newly built USS ''Iowa'' (BB-4) in New York Harbor in 1898]] == Launching == [[File:USS Iowa BB-4 Sliding Into Water.jpg|thumb|alt=picture of large boat entering the water|On launch day from the Cramp Shipyards in Philadelphia, the USS ''Iowa'' was then the navy's largest battleship.]] ''Iowa'' was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 28 March 1896, sponsored by the daughter of the [[Governor of Iowa]] named Miss Mary Lord Drake.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} Ms. Drake [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] the vessel on 16 June 1897,{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} with [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] [[William T. Sampson]] in command.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} ''Iowa'' was known as "Battleship No. 4" during her lifespan and called '''BB-4''' after the [[hull classification symbol]] system became standard in 1921. == Spanish–American War == [[File:USS Iowa (BB-4) Fires Guns During Spanish-American War.jpg|thumb|alt=picture of large guns of USS Iowa with smoke coming out|USS ''Iowa'' (BB-4) fires its guns during the battle of Santiago]] When the Spanish-American war broke out, Cuba belonged to Spain. There was some speculation that the Spanish military made a mistake by sending its fleet to Cuba instead of keeping it nearer to Spain where supplies were closer; instead, it was sent to the Americas, and was discovered in the harbor of Santiago. === Spanish warships === Six Spanish warships commanded by Admiral Cervera{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} were ''Maria Teresa'' (flag), ''Vizcaya'', ''Oquendo'', ''Colon'', and two torpedo boat destroyers.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} === United States warships === After shakedown off the Atlantic coast, ''Iowa'' was assigned to the [[United States Fleet Forces Command|Atlantic Fleet]] and was ordered to blockade duty on 28 May 1898, off [[Santiago de Cuba]].{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} under the command of Captain [[Robley Dunglison Evans|Robley D. "Fighting Bob" Evans]].{{sfn|New York Times 10 June 1898}}{{sfn|New York Times 4 April 1899}} She participated in a naval bombardment of the fort near Santiago.{{sfn|NavSource Iowa (BB-4)}} She joined many other American warships blockading Cuba including the [[USS Harvard|USS ''Harvard'']],{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} the ''Resolute'',{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} the ''New York'', ''Oregon'', ''New Orleans'', ''Mayflower'', ''Porter'', ''Brooklyn'', ''Massachusetts'', ''Texas'', ''Marblehead'', ''Vixen'', ''Suwanee'', ''Dolphin'', and ''St. Paul'' (a coal supply ship).{{sfn|New York Times 22 July 1989}}{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} === Sampson's Blockade === The Commander in Chief of the US North Atlantic Station, Rear Admiral Sampson, insisted the blockade be tight; "the escape of the Spanish vessels at this juncture would be a serious blow to our prestige, and to a speedy end to the war", he wrote.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} He wasn't worried about fire from shore batteries{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} but was concerned about possible attack from a surface-going torpedo boat and urged captains to look for tell-tale signs of attacking boats such as smoke on the water.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} One issue was having enough coal.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Since steam engines take time to build sufficient energy to drive larger turbines, engines were kept running to enable rapid start-up movement despite the usage of precious coal.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} Luckily, vessels could ''coal'' while maintaining a position in the blockade.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} The initial plan was for blockading ships to wait {{convert|6|nmi|km|0|abbr=on}} out from Santiago harbor during the day, but this was tightened to {{convert|4|nmi|km|0|abbr=on}} after a while.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} At night or in bad weather, the ships were brought in closer to prevent escapes. One squadron blocked the east side, another the west. Picket launches each evening were ordered one mile off shore.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} The admiral gave specific instructions about how to use search lights at night to sweep the horizon "steadily and slowly" and "not less than three minutes should be employed in sweeping through an arc of 90 degrees."{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} As of 2 June 1898, Sampson headed one squadron which included ''New York'', ''Iowa'', ''Oregon'', ''New Orleans'', ''Mayflower'', and ''Porter'', while commander Schley headed the ''Brooklyn'', ''Massachusetts'', ''Texas'', ''Marblehead'', and ''Vixen''.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} One squadron blocked the east side harbor exit; the other, the west.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} By 10 June, Spanish warships in Cuba's Santiago harbor were "neatly bottled up" according to ''Iowa''{{'}}s Captain Evans.{{sfn|New York Times 10 June 1898}} === Fierce Battle === On Sunday morning, 3 July 1898, there were partly cloudy skies with fairly calm water.{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} Six Spanish warships steamed out of Santiago harbor{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} in a southwesterly direction.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} ''Iowa'' was the first to sight black ships{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} Spanish cruisers approaching,{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} telegraphed other American ships at 09:30,{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} and fired the first shot in the [[Battle of Santiago de Cuba|Battle of Santiago]].{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} ''Iowa'' along with ''Indiana'', ''Texas'', ''Oregon'' and ''Brooklyn'' chased the Spanish cruisers.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}}{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} A second report includes ''Gloucester'' as being part of the chasing squadron and suggests ''Vixen''{{'}}s purpose was to protect ''Brooklyn'' from Spanish torpedo boats.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} A third report lists torpedo boat {{USS|Ericsson||2}} as participating.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} The two fleets engaged in a brief but intense naval battle off the shores of [[Cuba]].{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}} There was speculation that two Spanish torpedo destroyers posed a serious risk.{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} In a 20-minute battle with {{Ship|Spanish cruiser|Infanta Maria Teresa||2}} and {{Ship|Spanish cruiser|Almirante Oquendo||2}}, her effective fire set both ships aflame and drove them on the beach, according to several reports.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Fire from both fleets was continuous and fast and furious.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} The two Spanish torpedo boats took on ''Gloucester'' which prevailed against both in a tense slugfest.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Some reports suggest ''Iowa'' suffered from engine trouble during the battle and "limped along at 10 knots", as well as taking two hits from the Spanish warship Colon, which further reduced her speed. But later analysis suggests ''Iowa'' was a significant participant throughout the battle and this is inconsistent with a reduced speed.{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}} A dangerous fire in ''Iowa''{{'}}s lower decks happened during the battle, possibly caused by enemy fire, which threatened lethal explosions, but fast and brave work by Fireman Robert Penn extinguished the blaze, possibly sparing the ship, and he was later awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his heroism.{{sfn|Naval Historical Center Coast Battleship No. 4}} US warships pursued fleeing Spanish cruisers. ''Iowa'' and ''Gloucester'' sank {{Ship|Spanish destroyer|Pluton||2}} and damaged {{Ship|Spanish destroyer|Furor||2}} to the point where the Spanish warship ran aground.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} ''Colon'' was beached also.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Wrecks burned fiercely.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} ''Iowa'' then pursued {{Ship|Spanish cruiser|Vizcaya||2}} and ran her aground.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Spanish sailors on the beaches were being threatened by Cuban irregulars, but Captain Evans sent a boat ashore to warn them, and protected the captured sailors. When ''Vizcaya'' exploded and beached at Playa de Aserraderos, ''Iowa'' lowered boats to rescue Spanish crewmen from shark-infested waters.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} ''Iowa'' received on board Spanish Admiral [[Pascual Cervera]] and the officers and crews of ''Vizcaya'', ''Furor'', and ''Pluton''.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} ''Vizcaya{{'}}s'' Captain Don Antonio Eulate was "soaked in oil and wearing a sooty, bloodstained bandage about the head." The captured captain tried to offer his sword as a gesture of surrender but it was returned to him by Captain Evans.{{sfn|New York Times 4 April 1899}} When the Spanish captain cried "Adios, Vizcaya!" almost immediately afterward the flaming ship's magazine exploded and dramatically finished her destruction. At one point ''Iowa''{{'}}s' Captain Evans directed ''Harvard'' to rescue prisoners.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Some accounts suggest that it took 12 hours to rescue all the survivors.{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} And for a while, several American warships were crowded with prisoners, including ''Iowa''.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} A pig was rescued from ''Colon''.{{sfn|NavSource Iowa (BB-4)}} There were 1,612 Spanish survivors in total who became U.S. prisoners of war until subsequent release during a prisoner exchange. It was a general victory for the US Navy. One unexpected circumstance was that an Austrian battleship ''also'' named ''Infanta Maria Theresa'' was in the vicinity wanting to enter Santiago harbor, but upon outbreak of hostilities, waited for orders from the Americans after seeing the conflict; her presence caused mild confusion at some points but there is no evidence of the Austrian vessel being fired on.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} [[File:USS Iowa Damage After Battle of Santiago.jpg|thumb|left|alt=picture of section of ''Iowa'' with many holes where Spanish gunfire damaged the ship|''Iowa'' was hit by fire from Spanish warships.]] === Competing claims for credit === After the battle a mini-drama played itself out which sometimes erupted in opposing newspaper accounts.{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}} Reports by several captains were published including detailed accounts from ''Brooklyn''{{'}}s Captain Cook{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} who reported his ship was hit 20 times, with one sailor killed and another wounded.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Reports were also filed by commanders of ''Resolute'', ''Harvard'', ''Ericsson'', ''Vixen'',{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} and later ''Gloucester''{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} and published in the New York Times. There was no newspaper-published report of the battle from the perspective of ''Iowa''{{'}}s Captain Evans. After Admiral Sampson released his report, ''Indiana''{{'}}s Captain H.C. Taylor felt slighted and wrote "If the official record should be referred to in future it will appear from its general tone that the Indiana was less deserving than all of her consorts."{{sfn|New York Times 26 August 1898}} The admiral replied that ''Indiana'' began in the east, as instructed, which made it harder for it to join the battle; later, ''Indiana'' was ordered back to guard the harbor entrance since there was speculation that other Spanish ships might have been trying to escape, and deserved commendation for her contribution.{{sfn|New York Times 26 August 1898}} An assessment revealed the squadron guarding the westerly side of the harbor was closest to the fleeing ships and therefore saw more action. Special investigators were dispatched to examine beached Spanish warships as well as consider possibly re-floating sunken boats for further analysis.{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}} Detailed diagrams were made of the destroyed ships with measurements, sometimes disputed, of the diameters of shell holes, along with counts of ammunition expended and reports by each captain.{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}} (see diagram showing battle damage.) There was speculation about repairing some of the damaged Spanish warships at one point.{{sfn|New York Times 22 July 1989}} One analyst described the ''Maria Teresa'' a month after the battle as follows: "the metal was broken and twisted into a mass of junk iron" and reported that the Oquendo was "broken in two on the rocks".{{sfn|New York Times 22 July 1989}} === Analysis === [[File:Spanish Warship Sunk In Spanish-American War in 1898.jpg|thumb|left|alt=ship diagram showing holes in the side|After the Battle of Santiago, naval analysts sketched wrecked Spanish warships including ''Vizcaya'' to study ballistics as well as determine which commanders and warships deserved the most credit. ''Iowa'' and ''Brooklyn'' won the lion's share of the credit for victory.]] [[File:USS Iowa BB-4 Below Decks Preparing Food.jpg|thumb|alt=Crewmen peeling potatoes in the galley in preparation for a meal.|Crewmen peeling potatoes below decks in preparation for a meal.]] After competing claims appeared in newspapers, a more definitive report emerged which gave substantial credit to ''Iowa'' and ''Brooklyn'' for inflicting "seven-tenths" of the damage to the opposing fleet.{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}} Both ships were closest to the battle; ''Iowa'' expended 1,473 separate pieces of ammunition (big shells plus smaller rounds) and ''Brooklyn'' expended 1,973.{{sfn|New York Times 23 April 1899}} Other conclusions which emerged: * The American ships were generally faster.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} The engines of ''Resolute'' made 81 revolutions per minute (RPM) allowing the boat to speed through the water at {{convert|16|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Naval engineers got significant credit for making fast seagoing boats.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} Ship's engineers were honored in a dinner in New York on 1 September 1898 at the Engineers' Club, including ''Iowa'' Chief Engineer Charles W. Rae.{{sfn|New York Times 2 September 1898 a}} The Oregon might not have even made it to the battle, but it arrived on time from San Francisco because of its speed as well as perseverance by its ships engineers and machinists.{{sfn|New York Times 2 September 1898 a}} * Admiral Sampson's earlier estimate not to worry about fire from shore batteries proved correct; there was little damage to US forces from the land as well as reports of land-fired shells whizzing overhead but not striking anything.{{sfn|New York Times 27 July 1898}} A reporter aboard ''Gloucester'' said shells from a nearby Spanish fort whizzed overhead.{{sfn|New York Times 24 July 1898}} * Spanish gunnery was poor, according to one report.{{sfn|New York Times 29 July 1898}} == Early Twentieth Century == [[File:USS Iowa BB-4 in Floating Dry Dock.jpg|thumb|left|alt=picture of a large battleship from rear inside a giant floating box-like structure in a harbor|In 23 June 1905, ''Iowa'' was photographed in the newly built [[floating dry dock]] ''Dewey'' (YFD-1) in the [[Patuxent River]] undergoing repairs.]] [[File:USS Iowa BB-4 Sponsors of Battleship.jpg|thumb|left|alt=picture of about 14 formally dressed women in 1908 posing with a draped flag in the background|''Sponsors'' of US naval ships gather in 1908 for a photograph at Washington's Willard Hotel, and include ''Iowa''s sponsor, Miss Mary L. Drake (then Mrs. George Sturdevant).]] [[File:USS Iowa BB-4 Shipboard Program NYTimes Newspaper Article 1899.png|thumb|alt=extract from a newspaper article from NY Times listing the entertainment program by the crew of the USS Iowa while visiting South America|While stationed off the coasts of Chile and Peru, sailors of the ''Iowa'' entertained guests with a complete program which included juggling, singing, acrobatics, and orations. It was in some respects a goodwill gesture in the aftermath of the Spanish-American war.]] [[File:USS Iowa Radio Gear.JPG|thumb|left|alt=picture of radio gear aboard ''Iowa''|Radio gear aboard the warship as seen in a 1921 ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'']] After the battle, ''Iowa'' left Cuban waters for New York City, arriving on 20 August.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} While being towed by four tugboats to the Brooklyn Navy yard, ''Iowa'' came "very near colliding with the cruiser ''Chicago''" after a hawser attached to one tugboat broke; a new hawser was hurriedly run out to ''Iowa''{{'}}s bow, preventing a collision.{{sfn|New York Times 2 September 1898 b}} On 12 October, she departed for the Pacific, sailed through the [[Straits of Magellan]] at [[Cape Horn]].{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|New York Times 22 January 1899}} A reporter on board describing the passage wrote "snow-capped mountains rising out of the sea, barren and gray just below the snow" along with "furious squalls called williwaws" which "picks up the water in masses of foam."{{sfn|New York Times 22 January 1899}} While stationed in [[Valparaíso, Chile]] around 17 December, and later at [[Callao, Peru]] around 26 December, the sailors of ''Iowa'' along with {{USS|Oregon||2}} gave on-board self-created performances for audiences including select sailors from the navies of [[Chile]] and [[Peru]] as a way to ease tensions following the conflict over Cuba (some South Americans sided with Spain.){{sfn|New York Times 22 January 1899}} The self-described "Iowa Minstrels" made a "melange of music, melody, and mirth" featuring a written program which included such entertainment as an overture, juggling, acrobatics, a "gifted Hibernian orator", comic sketches, singing, and banjo playing.{{sfn|New York Times 22 January 1899}} She arrived at [[San Francisco, California]] on 7 February 1899.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} While in port, the crew presented Captain Evans with a different sword bearing the inscription "To our hero—Too just to take a fallen foe's—We give this sword instead."{{sfn|New York Times 4 April 1899}} The captain thanked his crew for their bravery and respect in a published reply.{{sfn|New York Times 4 April 1899}} The battleship then steamed to [[Bremerton, Washington]], where she entered drydock on 11 June.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} After refit, ''Iowa'' served in the [[United States Pacific Fleet|Pacific Squadron]] for 2 years under the command of Captain Goodrich,{{sfn|NavSource Iowa (BB-4)}} conducting training cruises, drills, and target practice.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} On 1 August 1900, the British cruiser {{HMS|Phaeton|1883|6}} narrowly avoided colliding with ''Iowa'' in the straits near [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria (British Columbia)]] during a dense fog.{{sfn|New York Times 2 August 1900}} At another point during these years, a manhole plate of a boiler blew open and the determined actions of five crewmen (see below) spared the ship from further disaster. ''Iowa'' left the Pacific in 1902 to become flagship of the South Atlantic Squadron.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} She went to New York arriving February 1903 and was again decommissioned in June.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} ''Iowa'' recommissioned in 23 December 1903 and joined the North Atlantic Squadron.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} She participated in the [[John Paul Jones]] Commemoration ceremonies on 30 June 1905.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} On 23 June, ''Iowa'' was serviced in the newly built [[floating dry dock]] ''Dewey''. ''Iowa'' remained in the North Atlantic until she was placed in reserve on 6 July 1907.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} [[Admiral Spruance]] served on ''Iowa'' in 1906 and 1907. She decommissioned at Philadelphia on 23 July 1908. ''Iowa'' recommissioned on 2 May 1910{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} with a new "cage" mainmast,{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} and served as an at-sea training ship of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet for Naval Academy Midshipmen.{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} On 13 May 1911, at sea {{convert|55|nmi|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Cape Charles, Virginia]], she and another vessel rescued passengers from the sinking Ward liner ''Merida'' after it collided with the United Fruit Company's steamship ''Admiral Farragut'' in dense fog; all 319 passengers on ''Merida'' remained alive.{{sfn|New York Times 13 May 1911}} During the next four years, she made training cruises to Northern Europe and participated in the [[Naval Review]] at Philadelphia from 10–15 October 1912.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} She decommissioned at [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] on 27 May 1914.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} == World War I == [[File:US Battleship USS Iowa (BB-4) Crewmen Practice With Rifles.jpg|thumb|left|alt=US Marines aboard battleship practice with rifles|Marines aboard ''Iowa'' practice drilling with rifles and bayonets in 1898]] ''Iowa'' was placed in limited commission on 28 April 1917.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} After serving as Receiving Ship at Philadelphia for six months, she was sent to [[Hampton Roads]] and remained there for the duration of the war, training men for other ships of the Fleet, and doing guard duty at the entrance to [[Chesapeake Bay]].{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} She was decommissioned for the final time on 31 March 1919.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}} == Target Ship Years 1921–1923 == [[File:USS Iowa In Panama Canal in 1923.jpg|thumb|alt=Battleship going through the locks in the Panama Canal|Renamed ''Coast Battleship No. 4'', the ex-USS ''Iowa'' leaves Pedro Miguel Lock in the Panama Canal heading for the Pacific Ocean for use as a target.]] [[File:US Iowa (BB-4) Becomes Radio-controlled Target Ship In 1923.jpg|thumb|alt=picture of battleship USS Iowa (BB-4) now known as "Coast Battleship No.4" with explosions around it at sea|The unmanned radio-controlled target ship "Coast Battleship No. 4" was sunk during target practice by ''Mississippi'']] On 30 April 1919, ''Iowa'' was renamed "Coast Battleship No. 4"{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}} to free her name for [[USS Iowa (BB-53)|a new]] [[South Dakota class battleship (1920)|''South Dakota'' class battleship]], and was the first radio-controlled target ship to be used in a fleet exercise.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center Coast Battleship No. 4}} At the Philadelphia Navy Yard, workers removed the ship's guns, installed remote control navigation equipment, sealed compartments, and installed water pumps to slow the sinking process and enable a longer target session.{{sfn|Naval Historical Center Coast Battleship No. 4}} As "Coast Battleship No. 4", she ran trials off Chesapeake Bay in 1920 with the battleship {{USS|Ohio|BB-12|2}} serving as control ship. Once underway, the crew left in small boats and she was fully controlled by radio signals.{{sfn|Naval Historical Center Coast Battleship No. 4}} She returned to active service in April 1922 to [[Hampton Roads, Virginia]] to take part in gunfire exercises with the minelayer ''Shawmut'' as control ship.{{sfn|Naval Historical Center Coast Battleship No. 4}} In 1923 she went through the [[Panama Canal]] to the Pacific Ocean to take part in combined fleet maneuvers. A party of high-ranking navy officials as well as members of Congress and newspaper correspondents sailed to Panama aboard {{USS|Henderson||2}} to watch the experimental firing.{{sfn|New York Times 6 March 1923}} The target ship was bombarded by {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}} batteries from {{convert|8000|yd|km|abbr=on}} away by {{USS|Mississippi|BB-41|2}}.{{sfn|Naval Historical Center Coast Battleship No. 4}} (Incidentally, ''Mississippi'' later endured a deadly on-board explosion accident which took the lives of 48 crew members.){{sfn|New York Times 14 June 1924}} ''Iowa'' was then pounded by 30 {{convert|14|in|mm|abbr=on}} shells from a greater distance. Finally, she was bombarded by nearly three dozen heavier projectiles (weighing {{convert|0.75|ST|kg}} each), by a salvo of {{convert|14|in|mm|abbr=on}} shells and she sank in the Gulf of Panama.{{sfn|DANFS Iowa (BB-4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center USS Iowa (Battleship # 4)}}{{sfn|Naval Historical Center Coast Battleship No. 4}} === Honors === The ornate silver service of ''Iowa'' was commissioned by the [[Iowa]] legislature and produced by J.E. Caldwell & Co. of Philadelphia for $5,000. It is now on long-term loan to the Iowa State Historical Society museum and occasionally put on display.{{sfn|Johnson|1992}} On 25 January 1905, five of her crew—Fireman [[Petty Officer First Class|1st Class]] Frederick Behne, Seaman 1st Class Heinrich Behnke, Fireman 1st Class DeMetri Corahorgi, Watertender Patrick Bresnahan, Boilermaker Edward Floyd, and [[Chief Petty Officer|Chief]] Watertender Johannes J. Johannessen—received the [[Medal of Honor]] for "extraordinary heroism in the resulting action" after a manhole plate of a main boiler blew open. == External links == {{Commons category|USS Iowa (BB-4)}} * [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/uss_iowa_bb4.htm MaritimeQuest USS Iowa BB-4 Photo Gallery] * [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-i/bb4.htm Naval Historical Center — USS Iowa (Battleship # 4), 1897–1923. Later renamed Coast Battleship # 4] {{WWIUSShips}} {{coord missing|Pacific Ocean}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Iowa (BB-4)}}