The Differences Between USS New Jersey and USS Iowa 

This is basically the Naval History equivalent of two Dads who have recently bought Mustangs talking about what options they got different from the Factory. I'm completely here for it.

I love the collaborations. And I'm shocked that Ryan would insinuate that the weather in the Garden State of New Jersey isn't as wonderful as Hawaii or Los Angeles.

I have visited 2.1 of the Iowas. The Missouri, Wisconsin and by visiting the Wisconsin I made sure to visit what’s left of the Kentucky. There was a sign on Wisconsin’s bow that said “welcome to the USS Kentucky” and it told about the collision and repair of the ship.

I've only visited USS New Jersey BB-62 as a museum ship... but I did visit USS Missouri BB-63 in 1988 while she was active (had a buddy serving on her). USS Missouri was part of Battle Group Echo along with my ship, USS Ranger CV-61 in 1987, so I sailed along side her for an entire deployment to the North Arabian Sea in support of the Ernest Will missions!

I have visited all of the Iowa class. My father was on the original crew of Iowa and had nothing open but fond memories of her. I am glad that all Iowa’s are museums and each is opening more areas yearly. Also been on North Carolina and Massachusetts and can sure see progression of development of each class. Keep up good work.

A few to get started with: The collars around the openings in the turrets are welded flush on NJ and are riveted on Iowa, The support structures for the side Mk37 directors are different, The Iowa got a cheap breakwater around the boat at the side while NJ got one that actually deflected water. Iowa has the fueling station in the starboard tub and NJ has it on the port. Iowa lacks the large shell bolster at the stern that NJ has. The bolt covers in the turret are rounded on NJ while they are barely rounded on Iowa. The library and ship store on Iowa are reversed. Iowa lacks the officer's galley. Iowa has covers over the roof bolts in the turret. NJ does not. Iowa has a shorter conning tower tub than NJ. The forward edge of the upper belt is beveled on Iowa but not on NJ. The transverse armor at Frame 50 tapers on the inboard side on Iowa and outboard side on NJ. The barbette openings on second deck were cut to the armor on Iowa but were constant radii on NJ and the gaps filled. The armored trunk for the director cabling curves downward where it meets the conning tower on Iowa and upward on NJ. The connections between the upper and lower barbettes are different, The transition between the 5.6 and 6.2 inch armor at third deck is different. Iowa has a step down at third deck aft of the entrance to Broadway. NJ lacks this step.

So many little differences. I was stationed on Missouri 1988-92, with regular visits across the pier to New Jersey. In 1990-91 I attended briefings aboard Wisconsin, and I finally got around to visiting Iowa after she was berthed in San Pedro as a museum. It is important to note that only New Jersey is still serving in a combat zone - Camden, New Jersey!

22 year old college student here, I’ve only been able to visit North Carolina so far, she took my battleship first time😊 I’ve been aboard her twice and I’m probably the only one, but I think she’s the most beautiful of all the battleships in existence, granted all of them are gorgeous. I think my next battleship will be the Wisconsin so I am pumped for that. I will visit all 8 plus Arizona before I die, that’s for sure. Would be my dream to do what Ryan is doing for the big NJ but for NC, really think she needs some more love from us Carolinians!

I've visited USS Missouri, USS Iowa & USS New Jersey. Loved them all and hope to visit USS Wisconsin in 2023. I've also visited USS Arizona & USS Alabama, it's one of my goal to visit all of the battleship museums! 🙂

Thinking back, I did visit an Iowa class battleship. But it was not a museum then. It was the USS New Jersey. My next door neighbor was an Annapolis graduate and at the time the damage control officer on the USS Callahan. One of his friends was assigned to the New Jersey. When the ship made a stop in Coronado. I, in high school, got a tour of parts of the battleship. One thing I remember is my neighbors friend quarters had a port hole that looked at the backend of one of the 5 inch mounts. Also I got to look around one of the 16 inch turrets too. I still have photos of the USS New Jersey at North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado. The only museum Battleship I've visited was the USS Alabama. And that was when I was going to "A" school at NTTC Corry Station in Pensacola.

I had a brief walk round the upper deck when Iowa visited Pompey in the 80s she emerged out of a foggy morning and looked glorious as the sun broke through and she made her way into the harbour . Every class of ship may be made to the same specs and drawings but they all have their differences , if they have been maintained by a different hard the differences as new equipment is added and old removed can be surprising . It's great that the US has the resources to preserve ships of this size .

I've been on the New Jersey a bunch of times. I got to tour the main deck of the Wisconsin while she was in drydock being decommissioned for the last time at the Philadelphia Naval yard. Got real close to the Iowa on a boat while she was in mothballs next to the Wisconsin. Pretty amazing to see 2 Iowa class ships side by side. The Missouri is on my bucket list

I was just inside the CIC, the CEC, and the plotting room on Iowa a few weeks ago, it looked very familiar in this video.Our tour guide was Bill McNally, who as a volunteer on Iowa has done (and still doing) a fantastic job restoring those spaces to their active-duty appearance. Besides the Iowa, I've also visited the Missouri. I'd love to see New Jersey someday.

Was an HT stationed at SIMA Long Beach from 85 to 88. Installed some berthing racks on Jersey. Made, but did not install a bilge strainer on Missouri but knew someone on Missouri and was able to visit where WW II ended. A couple years back made a delivery in San Pedro and was able to visit Iowa for the first time. Hoping one day to visit the Wisconsin before I leave the planet. Enjoy the channel thanks.

I just came here after seeing the Iowa's recent upload about moving her guns! Thanks to both of you for keeping these pieces of history for the rest of us.

Have visited the Iowa twice. Have also visited North Carolina, Alabama, and Massachusetts. I’ve actually seen the USS New Jersey back in the 80’s when she made several stops along the California coast. She was at Monterey Bay for one of the stops and I went and took pictures of her. Letting a warship make a visit at Monterey Bay is unthinkable nowadays.

I visited the Iowa, while it was still in service back in the late 80's while it was in Port Everglades. Got a tour of a few places inside, and saw some sailors watching TV...I still remember it well and have quite a few old photos of the trip and tour.

I visited Iowa when she was in NYC for Fleet Week, so many years ago. And I've toured NJ in Camden. Great, magnificent ships!

Sister ships equals brotherly love! 🍻

I have been on Iowa and Missouri so far. At the time of my visit ALOT of Iowa was closed for renovation. I’ve also been on Alabama, Texas and North Carolina (which was my favorite). I was impressed with all of the interior spaces that were open.

I visited the Iowa a few years ago and one of my nephews that lives in Deleware recently did one of the overnight stays with his Scout troup on New Jersey so my family has been on two of the four. I would love to visit all four Iowa's at some point.

As an LA kid and a fan of this channel, this is a video I've been waiting for! Thanks to Mike and Ryan for making this happen!

Missed the Iowa by 2 weeks when I moved out of CA. Friend of mine worked on bringing her down to Long Beach. Was on the NJ in Long Beach during her modernization

I have visited all eight floating battleships, and appreciate your presentation. More later. Thanks.

Got to board Iowa in Richmond CA during the paint job.. feal very lucky after seeing her in the mothballs forever...

Battleship Iowa volunteer here, great job Getsch! :-)

This was a great video. It answered a lot of my questions about the differences between them as built and modifications later. I really frustrated myself trying to find correctly dated pictures of when then 20mm "pulpit" mounts were changed. I wonder what the reasoning was behind different original CIC locations especially since they were built at roughly the same time. Sorry you are back up here in the northeast, but you have to admit a nor'easter on a battleship is pretty cool. I've been on New Jersey of course, Wisconsin, North Carolina 2x, Massachusetts 2x. Looking to going back to New Jersey for a second visit since more spaces are opened. REALLY want to visit Texas when open again.

Been on onboard all four. Took half a life time to accomplish.

I love this channel Symanski!!

Great video! I have only been on the Missouri when I was a small lad my Grandfather worked at PSNS from 43-83 and I was taken aboard in the 1970's wish i had been older to understand more one of my bucket list is to view all 4 the Texas and Olympia. FTC/SS (retired)

As to actually stepping on board, it's only been the Missouri, but at the time in Bremerton, the New Jersey was moored on the other side of the wharf, but was not open for visitation. On the other hand, I did take some pictures that feature two Iowa Class battleships in the same picture.

Excellent in explaining the differences between the two battleships. Thank you very much folks.

I was aboard Iowa many time throughout the 1980s as a visitor. I've been aboard her in New York Harbor for the 1986 INR with President Reagan, in Norfolk shortly after and many times in Port Everglades. I watched from Nimitz or Kennedy the Iowa getting a SPQ-9 installed on the aft stack at Norfolk in August of '86. I purchased the last of my Sea Cadet uniforms from the Iowa's store right before she sailed and the JOOD was giving me a hard time for being in civvies because he thought I was ship's crew! I had the flu when my little brother got to visit Wisconsin at Port Everglades. So he's been on two of them!

Great video. I live in Southern Cal so I have visited the Iowa several times since she has been here. I visited the Missouri in Pear Harbor a few years ago. Having grown up in Long Beach, Ca, I used to drive past the New Jersey when she was dry-docked in the old Naval Shipyard. Never got a chance to go on board, she was still a sight to see on the way to work!

another great video from the battleship. thanks

Only ship I've toured is the USS North Carolina. Gave me a whole new apparition for those who were aboard her in WWII. My kids toured the USS Missouri when they went to Hawaii with the school's marching band.

My wife and I were in Barbados on vacation in 1984 waiting to board a booze cruise when Iowa pulled into port. As it turned out, chiefs from Iowa were staying at the same hotel as us. There was a heck of a party going on in the 12h floor, only requirements for admission? You had to be an American. We met many chiefs, but the one that stand out was Bob Scott, a very nice guy and a legend I’m told on Iowa.

All 4 in one way or another. I made a special effort during DC "A" school to see them tied up at the Philadelphia yard in early spring of 1967. NJ and America were on station together in Vietnam in 68 and I saw her at sea then. I went to the Iowa recommissioning and visited aboard on the day. Many years later, I visited Wisconsin shortly after she became a museum ship in Norfolk.

I visited Iowa in LA just before Covid struck, and I also saw her in the 80's when she was visiting Oslo. I will visit New Jersey next time I'm in the area.

Welcome back home Ryan. We (wife and I) came aboard BB-62 on 19 Sept 2022, while you were out "west". USS New Jersey is the only Iowa Class Battleship we have visited. However, we did visit the class lead "Fast Battleship" BB-55 USS North Carolina back on 23 Oct 2020. Being an immediate predecessor of the Iowa Class ships, she was spectacular in her own right. The preservation of these monuments to ingenuity, technology, and perseverance in Naval superiority is one of the most important parts of imparting our great history to our progeny.

I've volunteered on Iowa for many years. Its great to see you aboard and nice to see you interact with Mike. Been aboard Iowa as well as Missouri. When asked about the differences between the two ships someone put it best when they stated "They're sisters, not twins."

I’ve been on USS Missouri several times. One thing on Missouri I do not see on New Jersey or Iowa is a ball shaped dome above the bridge and below the platforms that hold Slick 32’s. It’s centered below the gun Director. I’ve also been on board USS North Carolina, USS Yorktown, USS Laffey, USS Bowfin, USS Clangmore and been dockside of USS Texas. Also paid respects to USS Arizona. Was able to go onboard USS Holt which was active at the time.

The bathtub sets Iowa off from any other ship in anyone's Navy. Was transferred to Bremerton in 59 and saw a lot of sailors in dress blues with Missouri patch on right sleeve. She was used as a barracks for the Pacific Reserve Maintenance crew. She was lit up at night and the white canvas with name printed on it was a sight to remember.

I’ve visited the New Jersey 3 times. February 2003 and in 2017 and 2019. Visited Wisconsin in 2003 on the same trip I visited New Jersey. Plan to visit Missouri and Iowa soon as visiting all 4 Iowa class is on my bucket list. Thanks for the videos Sir!

I’m from the UK I came to Camden specifically to visit New Jersey. Always been interested in this ship, fantastic pieces of engineering. I visited the Iowa a few years ago . It’s great how in the US you preserve your old ships Thanks Jonathan

I visited the USS Missouri just a few years ago while in Hawaii. Awesome experience. I would like to add the other Iowa class ships to my bucket list. Thank you for the great videos.

Served on the Iowa in the 80's. Worked in CIC. Wish I could visit her but my health won't allow it.

I've had the privilege to stand on the decks of all four Iowa class ships. My favorite, like any guy's first time, is Missouri. As a youngster, I had a model of Mighty Mo and my heart throbbed the moment I stood on her deck. We had the special perk of dining (carrots and celery with dip) in the Captain's cabin. I only had a very brief visit on New Jersey for I was on my way to the airport to catch a flight and had only a couple of hours to spend. Next I was able to hop on Iowa while visiting relatives in SOCAL. A couple of years ago, I had the blessing and thrill of finally standing on Wisky! Since finding this channel, meeting you Ryan in person is a top bucket list item of mine. I also enjoy the walk throughs of Texas in drydock.

I've been aboard NEW JERSEY twice and IOWA once. However IOWA had visited Newport RI and was commissioned . This was 1985 or 1986 as I remember. #1 - 16" turret was open for visitors. You could eat food off any surface !!! SUPER CLEAN ! Again she was an active ship in commission

I visited Iowa 3-4 times while she was in Richmond being prepped to a museum, and I went a on few cruises to the mothball fleet near SF to see her. My parents took my brother and I to visit New Jersey right after she arrived in Long Beach to begin modernization. And we visited Missouri right after she returned from Desert Storm. Also got to see the other 4 museum Battleships in 1995 on a RV trip.

my father served on the Wisconsin BB64. it was one of four Iowa class battle wagons. he served as the first class hospital corpsman on the Korea deployment. he also played the trumpet in the ships orchestra. he was part of many performances on the fantail with hundreds of crew as a audience.

I got a tour of the USS New Jersey in the '80s while it was at Long Beach port. As part of a group, we got separated (tail end, ladders, quick marching tour group) and so we ended up wandering around a bit on our own tour. Once we got done explaining to the armed sailor that we were separated and this lady to my right worked for a Congressman and she did his academy nominations, he gave us a more in depth and slower tour than the rest. She was helped up to the Captain's chair for a quick picture later. The USS Missouri was on the other side of the dock, and another one of the staffers got a private tour, which made us jealous. I took a bunch of kids down to the USS Iowa and they had a great time.

Ryan must have been reading my mind with this video. I had been recently wondering if anything would be done to illustrate the differences between the different Iowa Class ships. It's really fascinating just how many differences there are despite all being part of the same class. I'd love to see something that also shows a comparison between the different fast battleship classes.

I've been on BB63 Missouri just after she was brought to Long beach to be reactivated for the 80's and a couple of years later I was onboard BB62 New Jersey when she was in Long Beach with one of her sisters (Can't remember which sister) this was after the 80's rebuild. We were limited to Main deck only not allowed into ether Battleship so I have no idea where differences there were. When I saw Missouri I'm sure she was still in her 50's condition

I was a Main Battery FTG2 on New Jersey in '68-'69. In 1984 was the recommissioning Fire Control Officer(LT). Then in 1988 i got orders to WisKy as FCO again(LCDR). Retired after that March '91

I've been aboard New Jersey several times when she was recommissioned in '82 and aboard Missouri a few years ago with the grand kids.

Thank you

I did a bunch of work on Iowa. I’ve been on Wisconsin and Missouri. I’ve not been on New Jersey. I hope to come to see her in the next few years.

I’ve been on the Iowa out in LA. can’t wait to come visit the New Jersey!

Massachusetts and and Texas are my only battleships. I've also been on Lexington in Corpus Christi, the submarine and DE in Galveston and USS Havoc, a minesweeper in Omaha. I saw the light aircraft carrier Cabot when she was docked in New Orleans to become a museum ship but of course she wasn't open. What a loss that was, we had a light carrier in almost her World War II configuration up until 2000, and ended up scrapping her.

I'm laughing about 'sure glad to be back here.' where it's raining. :-) Thanks for sharing!

Great video!

As a child of the 80s who remembers how high tech this stuff was back then, it is an odd feeling that the tech just keeps looking older and older. It is to be expected of course, but experiencing it is odd and somewhat disconcerting.

I’ve been to New Jersey and Wisconsin and will add Iowa next week. Can’t wait to see it.

I got too visit both USS Missouri and USS New Jersey (could only go aboard USS Missouri) when they were still in mothballs in Bremerton WA. This was before there last reactivation and I was still a teenager.

I've only gotten to see Wisconsin from the dock. Had to visit my home state's namesake since my buddy and I were in the area... even though the ship and museum had already closed for the day.

So far I’ve only visited New Jersey and Wisconsin. But I have also visited Salem, Massachusetts and Yorktown. When I visited Wisconsin, I made sure the point out the differences in the O-11 level after watching another one of these videos. Was also very interested seeing the differences in the CEC between Wisky and NJ, not to mention the weld marks over the damage from the 155mm Korean Gun. I love these videos about all the differences between the ships! It’s like spot the difference but on a much larger scale.

I have been to The Missouri twice.......... at 9 years old at Bremerton [1972ish]and a few years ago at Pearl Harbor, the new Jersey and the Iowa once. I will be going to Battleship Row in a couple weeks!

I was on 3 of the 4 Iowa class, Iowa, Missouri, and New Jersey, when they were last active. I was a Missouri crew member and, since we were based on the opposite side of the same pier in Long Beach with New Jersey, we were aware of some of the differences in the two ships (mostly exterior).

I have been able to visit all 4 Iowa Class battleships. Missouri in 2018, Iowa 2020, New Jersey 2021 and Wisconsin, 2021.

I visited the Iowa over the summer specifically because of watching this channel! (Even got the extra engineering tour)

I have been on the Iowa and Massachusetts, but I flew over the NJ in a Cessna when she was docked in Long Beach.

I been to USS N. Carolina quite a few times. We go whenever we would visit my Uncle in Jacksonville, NC. Except for 1992, because we went to Patriots Point in Charleston, SC. I've been to the USS Alabama once.

Very cool! Thanks for your efforts to preserve and educate. On a personal level, I prefer the snow.

The only Iowas I've seen are New Jersey (first battleship I ever saw) and Wisconsin. I've also seen Alabama and North Carolina. In 2021 I started planning a trip to LA to see Iowa, but ended up choosing to see North Carolina instead. I have a goal of seeing every preserved American battleship, so will definitely get out to see Iowa at some point, it'll just depend on my money & work situations.

I visited the NJ when I was in elementary school. It was at Pearl Harbor for an open house back in the 80s and only the main deck was open to the public since it was an active ship back then. Since I live in Honolulu, I have visited the Missouri multiple times over the past few decades it has been here.

I hope you will do more videos like this.

i was stationed in bremerton in the 80s when the new jersey and missouri were in mothballs. i have a picture of my tug boat ytb 767 helping to pull out missouri when they were brought back

Been on Iowa and Missouri. Dad worked for NAVSEA in the 80’s refit of NJ as Phalanx specialist. He got to work sea trials on NJ shooting everything it had!

I visited the New Jersey and the Missouri when they were active back in the late 80s and came to Fremantle, Australia. I think I went on the Missouri twice and the New Jersey once. Awe inspiring experience.

I've been on the Iowa a few times, while my stepdad was a MS on the ship. This was back in the late 1980s.

So far, the only Iowa class that I’ve been on is the Missouri about four years ago. We did the whole Pearl Harbor tour and it was great!!! I have been on the battleship Alabama twice, the aircraft carrier Midway and Yorktown and I’m really looking forward to coming out to see the Iowa sometime, just from seeing your videos. I’m not sure when, since it’s a bit of a drive from Oregon!! ha ha ha ha!! 🛫✈️🛩 We love your videos, keep up the good work, and hopefully we will get a chance to get out there soon!!!!

Will you do a mini video about the other two Iowa class ship that where started then stop and used for parts, the Illinois (bb-65) and Kentucky (bb-66)? The Kentucky bow was used to fix Wisconsin, hence her nickname WisKy

I was on Missouri when it first opened as a museum ship. Not too many spaces were open at that time. It's at (onviously) a great location, as you can also visit the Arizona memorial. We got to sing the National Anthem there as part of the Air Force Academy cadet corale.

Note that all of the armor steel -- Class "A" and Class "B" and, for nuts and bolts and such support materials, Class "C" -- except Special Treatment Steel (STS), such as used in the deck armor, which was always made by Carnegie-Illinois for BuSHIPS, was made by a single manufacturer (either Carnegie, Bethlehem, or Midvale) for a given ship. No more mix and match from all manufacturers to BuORD from various plates in different places, as was done for all US Navy warships prior to the mid-1930s. IOWA had only Midvale BuORD armor, for example, other than the BuSHIPS STS, as mentioned. STS and Class "B" armor were essentially identical as to general metallurgy and all test specs, especially if made by Carnegie-Illinois in the same steel plant for a ship.

I visited New Jersey when I was a Kid. I helped paint and clean the Missouri when she first Arrived in Pearl, to become a museum. And I visited Iowa in San Pedro.

Never been to any of the Iowas - yet. The only battleship I've visited so far as been Alabama in 1990. Saw North Carolina, but did not get a chance to visit her. I've been aboard Intrepid and Yorktown, as well as many other destroyers and subs. U-505 at the Field Museum in Chicago is real cool to visit. Only museum ship I know which is completely contained indoors!

I visited all 4! Iowa in 2015, 2022, New Jersey and Wisconsin in 2017 and Missouri in 2019.

I've only ever been on the William A. Irvin museum Ore ship docked in Duluth, MN. That is also a kind of unique ship because it had cabins for VIPs of US Steel and a much different, much smaller style engine than other Ore ships of that time.

Can't hear you...

I've only been on New Jersey so far. But im defiantly going to make sure to visit all 4 Iowa's.

I am glad to say, since I visited my BB-62 this year, (thanks Ryan for the tour, or was I showing you around?) I have visited all 4 Iowas, Texas, although I didn’t go onboard so it really doesn’t fully count, along with Arizona. Now time for other BB’s.

Thank you all for the excellent video on Iowa. It has been my good fortune to have visited 3 of the 4. They are Iowa, New Jersey and Wisconsin. I was aboard New Jersey twice, and the others twice. I still believe the Wisconsin to be in the best material condition of the three I have visited. Her teak wood decks are in excellent shape. In fairness to Iowa and New Jersey they were reactivated earlier and did not get the new teak that Wisconsin did.

Great video, I've been on Missiouri and Iowa, in 2000 and 2019 respectively. With an Iowa driver's license you get free admission to her!

I usually can always identify Iowa from her sisters in all stages of her career by the O8 lvl Bulwark/Splinter shield on the tower because she has fins on the front of it. None of her sisters have that feature.

What beautiful rain.

The Iowa Class i have been to is Ol Wisky herself. I have been to Massachusetts and North Carolina though

I visited New Jersey when she came back form Vietnam and when she was taken to long beach for a refit in the 80s, I visited Iowa when she came to san pedro. I saw her from a bridge at sussan bay.

USS Iowa one time. Would like to get back up there to see it again. Picked up a nice jacket at the gift shop that I often wear to work...though when I wear it sometimes I get asked if I served in the ship!

Visited the active-duty USS Missouri (BB-63) at Hunter's Point NS around 1955 (just saw the deck with the signing ceremony site) as part of 20,000 visitors. In the yard at that time was Essex-class carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) which was being modernized at the time. Visited USS New Jersey (BB-62) museum at its present site at Camden NJ around 2005. Visited USS Iowa (BB-61) museum at its present site in the Port of Los Angeles around 2017 and took a guided tour. In LA, also visited the SS Lane Victory museum. Have yet to visit Norfolk to see USS Wisconsin (BB-64). While on a sailboat tour of SF Bay, stopped at Vallejo and saw that the first nuclear sub, USS Nautilus (SSN-571), was at Mare Island NS being prepped for later towing to Groton CT. Have visited USS Pompanito (SS-383) museum at Fisherman's Wharf in SF and USS Intrepid (CV-11) museum in NYC (along with the USS Growler, SSG-577). Have also been aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) at NAS Alameda during an open house. Multiple open-house visits in San Diego (carrier, coast guard cutter, etc.) before USS Midway museum was set up.