Battleships Iowa and Wisconsin Reinstated: A Controversial Decision Amid Evolving Naval Warfare

[rangerrebew]

Battleships Iowa and Wisconsin Reinstated: A Controversial Decision Amid Evolving Naval Warfare
Story by Tom Johnson • 3h • 3 min read

In a surprise move, the United States Navy has allowed two iconic battleships, Iowa (BB-61) and Wisconsin (BB-64), to re-enter the Naval Vessel Register, much to the excitement and volubility of advocacy groups representing these great dreadnoughts. The decision, made on 30 December 1997, has both intrigued and put the military community under scrutiny, since the vessels concerned are already obsolete, not to mention their reactivation cost, which is said to be staggering, and of very doubtful relevance to modern naval warfare.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/battleships-iowa-and-wisconsin-reinstated-a-controversial-decision-amid-evolving-naval-warfare/ar-BB1qF1Wq?ocid=widgetonlockscreen&cvid=5d5fb7e13d7d411d8d316cc9f92a649e&ei=33
The campaign for battleships paid off through press coverage and a deluge of persuasive letters to Congress in a 17 to 3 vote by the Senate Armed Services Committee on 29 June 1995 that the ship’s disposition was to remain in mothballs. Proponents claimed the Iowa-class battleships represent “the Navy’s only remaining potential source of around-the-clock accurate, high-volume, heavy fire support,” the Senate report stated. The Navy, though, did not reinstate them until a policy memo dated 21 January 1998, signed by Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jay Johnson, and then by Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton on 12 February 1998.
 

[PeteS in CA]

  Ancient propulsion machinery that was obsolete decades ago, with parts and experienced operators no longer available.

  Main guns that have just a 24 mile range.

  Main guns that can only be used by bringing the ships close to shore and even short-range anti-ship missile batteries.

  Main guns, turrets, and barbettes that would have to be removed and magazines rebuilt before a significant missile battery could be installed.

  Architecture and armor designed before the era of modern anti-ship missiles.

  Numerous manual systems that require a much larger crew than would be required to operate more modern systems.

I have zero disrespect for the Iowa class battleships, but it is time to put nostalgia on the shelf and let them remain in their current role as museums.

[Wingnut]

Besides the occasional water parades and photo ops.... I don't see the practical war use.

Besides, what Pete said is true.  The only sailors who know how the ship works are long retired or have passed on.

[Ghost Bear]

Is... is this article actually from 1998?  Why is MSN reposting it?

[PeteS in CA]

The USN probably could build and crew 2 or 3 Arleigh Burke class DDGs for the cost and personnel of rebuilding and crewing a single Iowa-class battleship. And each DDG would probably as capable as the rebuilt BB.

[Cyber Liberty]

Is... is this article actually from 1998?  Why is MSN reposting it?

Slow news day?

[Wingnut]

Slow news day?

They can't push Kamala's Camelot fairytale rise 24/7 now can they.  Oh wait, wtf am I thinking.

[Timber Rattler]

One big problem...no more 16-inch shells exist.

The US Army Needs Some Help Destroying 15,000 Battleship Shells

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a23202/do-you-know-what-to-do-with-15000-battleship-shells/

The U.S. Army is looking for someone to deactivate 15,000 obsolete artillery shells. These shells, which were ammunition for the Navy's biggest battleship guns, need to be disassembled and rendered safe.

According to Federal Business Opportunities, the Army has 15,595 16-inch artillery shells sitting at Crane Army Ammunition Activity in Crane, Indiana. These shells were intended for the 16"/50 caliber main guns of the Iowa-class battleships—like the U.S.S. New Jersey in the video below—which were the biggest guns ever mounted on a U.S. Navy ship. However, these ships, first commissioned for World War II, are now enjoying a much-deserved retirement, having exited service at the end of the Cold War.

But these ships' rounds are still hanging around and they're the real deal, built to smash other battleships—and hardened beach fortifications—to bits. The stockpile includes high capacity high explosive rounds, armor piercing shells, and practice rounds. Each high capacity round weighs 2,054 pounds, with 154 pounds of high explosive and a 1,900-pound steel body. Each armor piercing shell weighs 2,700 pounds and is filled with either 41 pounds of explosives or up to 666 grenades.

The Army wants these shells "demilitarized", which means breaking them down into smaller parts so they can no longer be used as intended. They will likely be cut apart or crushed for scrap.

[PeteS in CA]

IIRC, the North Carolina and South Dakota class battleships could also fire those shells (but the Colorado class could not).

[jafo2010]

Still waiting as to why this thread was started.  Why??