Citizen Grouch: The Grouch's visit the Big Stick U.S.S. Iowa

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Grouch's visit the Big Stick U.S.S. Iowa

So, Young Daughter and the Missus took me to see the U.S.S. Iowa, known as the Big Stick, for Father's day. We went on Saturday and the ship wasn't crowded at all. YD and I both got a military discount, yay! Not much of the space below decks is open yet but they are working to open up more of the ship as they can get to it. YD toured the U.S.S. Alabama a couple years ago and said that much more of that battleship is open for sightseeing. Back in the 70s the Missus and I (when she wasn't the Missus yet, but on her way to being that) toured the U.S.S. Olympia in Philadelphia. On that ship, at that time, you could go all the way down to the bottom. I remember how cold it was since it was the winter. When we visited Pearl Harbor in the late '90s the U.S.S. Missouri was tied up and being prepared for tours but not open yet so we only got to see it from the outside as we traveled to the U.S.S. Arizona memorial.

Before boarding the ship we were overcome with the urge to celebrate VJ day just as these two had done. Two German tourists thought we did such a good job that they had us do it again for their cameras!

Young Daughter

Big Guns!

The Missus in her patriotic finery.

Looking towards the bow of the ship.

The Admiral's cabin which has the only bathtub in a U.S. Navy ship, installed for the use of President Roosevelt

Part of the Captain's quarters with his own bathroom. The commander of the ship is a Captain, equivalent to an Army Colonel; the Turner Joy was commanded by a Commander, the same as an Army LTC