The Battleship of Presidents: A Journey Through History on the USS Iowa
If you are a fan of history, travel, and leadership, there is no better place to visit than the Battleship Iowa Museum located in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California. As the largest port in the Western Hemisphere, it provides a massive backdrop for one of the most significant vessels in naval history.
In a recent episode of Travel in Time with Dan, host Dan Blanchard explored this “floating city,” which served as the peak of battleship technology before aircraft carriers became the dominant weapon of the seas.
The “Floating White House”
The USS Iowa earned the nickname “Battleship of the Presidents” because it hosted Commanders-in-Chief such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan. During World War II, it was essentially the era’s version of Air Force One.
In a top-secret mission, FDR used the Iowa to travel across the Atlantic to the Tehran Conference to meet with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin to plan the end of the war. Because FDR used a wheelchair due to polio, the ship was specially modified with an elevator and ramps. Most uniquely, the Iowa features the only bathtub in history to be installed on a battleship, specifically for the President’s use.
A Marvel of Military Might
The USS Iowa was the lead ship of its class and was designed with a philosophy that “if you control the oceans, you basically control the world”. Its specs are staggering:
- Size: Nearly three football fields long.
- Armament: Massive 16-inch guns, which were the biggest in the world during WWII.
- Crew: During WWII, it housed approximately 2,800 sailors, though this was reduced to 1,500 during its 1980s reactivation.
- Decorations: The ship earned 11 battle stars throughout its service.
The Accidental Assassination Attempt
One of the most incredible stories from the Iowa’s history occurred during FDR’s secret voyage from Virginia. While being escorted across the Atlantic, a U.S. destroyer accidentally fired a torpedo at the Iowa.
The captain of the Iowa, fearing an assassination attempt by German U-boats, quickly turned the ship and sped up. The resulting turbulence caused the torpedo to detonate harmlessly before impact, saving the President and the ship.
A Legacy of Adaptation
The USS Iowa was activated three separate times: during WWII, the Korean War, and again in the 1980s under Ronald Reagan. This leads to the ultimate leadership lesson from the ship’s history: great leaders adapt to changing times.
The Iowa survived by upgrading its technology through different eras and, after the Cold War ended, adapted once more by transitioning from a warship into a world-class museum rather than being “mothballed”. Today, it stands as a testament to American naval history and the importance of evolving to stay relevant.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
*Check out Dan’s book, “Travel in Time in the Northeast: https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Time-Northeast-Timeless-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0FZBQ2FHS/
*Watch Dan’s YouTube video on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzc9WePDM5U&t=1s
Listen to Dan’s podcast on this episode: (Coming Soon)
*See Dan’s Interview with FDR: (coming soon)