OT USS IOWA

[Desertdawg]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Will,

Thanks for the info, little more detail than the first attempt. Get there early, I bet you'll have lots of company.

Looking forward to your pics.

[RAD2LTR]

Re: OT USS IOWA

I think I'm going to try and shoot from Kirby Cove. Epic view of the Golden Gate, and crowds should be low since you can't drive there. Its a mile hike (bike ride) down, but I think that might be the place to shoot from. I'll have to ride pretty hard if I want to have any shot at catching the Iowa from a different location. I'm not sure how fast they tow, but my guess is that its faster than I can ride up hill. Still, If I can get to the top I might have a shot at making out to Point Bonita where the lighthouse is. We'll see how it plays out.

Will

[catalinadave]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Looking at a webcam & the Marine traffic site, it appears that the USS Iowa is very near the Golden Gate bridge, if not already out of the bay. I look forward to seeing any pictures any of you get from your various vantage points. (I'm hanging out here in Chicago looking out at Lake Michigan). Good luck USS IOWA, I hope to walk your deck some day.

Dave

[AirDOGGe]

Re: OT USS IOWA

I see it on SFboating.com, or at least I see the 4 tugs escorting it (shown as blue arrows indicating direction), plus a fireboat (green arrow). The live maps of active vessels I've viewed so far don't seem to show the Iowa itself.

You can see the mentioned vessels in this screen shot:

The fireboat and 3 tugs have turned away at this time (3:30 pm). Only the Warrior has remained with the war veteran as the tow vessel for it's trip south:

Current live location and movement near the Golden Gate area can be reviewed at:

http://www.boatingsf.com/ais_map.php?region=gg

[RAD2LTR]

Re: OT USS IOWA

The shoot was a success, I shot from Kirby cove (the place was empty, and the angle was fantastic) then from the road above, from one of the shore line batteries, then from Pt Bonita. I still can't believe I pulled if off on a bicycle. The gamble was right, traffic was standing still, and I was able to go around it, and on the one way road down, I was actually passing cars (carefully) and made up huge ground on the Iowa ultimately making it out to the lighthouse before she got there. The lighthouse was closed, but from the north side of the rock I got some good stuff I think. I then went up on top of the bluff where the radar station is and shot her out on the open ocean. Oh yeah I've got some from her coming round Angel Island.

I'll post the pics as soon as I can. Currently uploading from the memory card to the computer.

Will

[Tibia]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Kewl Will !!! Goes to prove 2 (& 3) wheels are better than 4

Sounds like you had an excellent day of it. Would like to return the effort when she arrives down here... but she'll be 6 or so miles out initially while they 'clean' her bottom

She did look majestic in the shots a local SF TV station took.

There's a ham radio operator on board that has aprs running. As long as they can reach a shore based repeater, you should be able to track the her progress via...
http://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&cal...timerange=3600

Bob

[RAD2LTR]

Re: OT USS IOWA

The final chapter of the Iowa's saga begins.
Rounding the tip of Angel Island.

From Kirby Cove.















This is a view the crew of the container ship will never see again.

Pt Bonita. The lighthouse was closed so this was the best I could do.














The show is over, the fat lady has sung, the Big Stick has now left the building.

Its kinda sad knowing that the world will never see another battleship on the open ocean. Yes, the battleship is a dinosaur, but there is something about seeing one on the open ocean. I know she is going to a good home, but, like watching the last flight of the SR71 back in '99, I feel a sense of loss.

Will

[Tibia]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Will,

You were right. Super locations to photographically save sights of the end of an era that will never be seen again.

You captured those moments well !

On this Memorial Day, we remember why she was built, who sailed her and why.

On a side note... Her current heading is 190deg at 6mph. Just west of Half Moon Bay.

Bob

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Thanks for being there and sharing! I got to tour the New Jersey many years ago when she docked just a bit down river from Portland. I'll never forget the Navy guy's comment when a Coast Guard Cutter, leaving the festivities went by, during my tour.. I said something stupid like "ahh Coast Guard" to him, he grinned back... "Puddle Pirates".....

I respect and love our "Puddle Pirates"... but the sailor's comment was priceless none-the-less..

Hard to believe we'll never see these magnificient ships underway again.

[Desertdawg]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Will,

You are the man, wonderful shots. Your plan and locations were perfect.

The end of a era indeed.

Thanks again.

[catalinadave]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Will, great shots of the lovely lady. Thanks for taking your time to go and take the pictures that you shared. She be a good sight to see down in San Pedro, just as the Missouri is to see at Ford Island near the Arizona memorial.

To all my fellow veteran's my thanks for your service. For those that gave all, my sincerest thanks and gratitude.

Dave
USNR 1982-1996

[MustangFan]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Will - Thanks very much for sharing your wonderful shots. How fitting that this happened during the Memorial Day weekend; seems like it was meant to be that way. And although I too am sad to see her go, I'm glad she's going to a good home and will continue to be a piece of living history for many years to come.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Thanks for the effort in bringing those photos of a great Lady on her last voyage to a new home.

[AirDOGGe]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Very nice photos Will. Thx for sharing them.

My, she really was a big one, wasn't she? Too bad her permanent home isn't here, next to the Hornet.

[RAD2LTR]

Re: OT USS IOWA

Thanks for the complements. Here is the full album from yesterday. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=efd6e6f6a2

Some shots are better than others, but there are a good 50+ shots that could be turned into full sized posters. If anyone wants an original pic, shoot me a pm and I can burn you a cd or send you an individual pic via email. Most of the shots are about 4900X3250 or so.

Will