I’d call it a “Pride” of Battleships. They were pretty much always used as propaganda to show how powerful they were and display a sense of pride in the nation - Bismarck, Yamato, Hiei, Iowa, Nagato, etc. Thus, a Pride.
You know what, I like that, it makes perfect sense, and it would be called a pride, which is a pack of lions, the king of the animals. So a pride of battleships would be the king of the seas
I wouldn't want to see these 4 ships heading toward me if I was the enemy, I'd be preparing to meet my maker. If I was in need of assistance I would be so happy to see them, the calvary coming to the rescue.
@@BlueSnipa093 There were five Montana-class battleships approved for construction before the war, but after the success of carriers in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway these were cancelled in favor of building more aircraft carriers. (This is based on some searches due to my recollection of the name "Montana-class" and not on any expertise.) There's a pretty picture of an Iowa-class broadside at Wikipedia.
It's almost a shame they didn't call the grouping something that would, under normal circumstances, be impossible to indicate the significance, something like "Battleship Division Zero"
Some great ideas in the comments for the four Iowa's, although when Ryan said "Murder" of battleships, it made me think of "flock" like a flock of battleships. I also like the idea of "constellation" of Battleships since the Iowa's were all named after states, and each state in the Star Spangled Banner is represented as a star. Because of that, I think constellation is rather fitting for the four Iowa's in that regard.
Just seeing two tied up together at Philadelphia was most impressive as are my photo's of the occasion . As to what I would call them I can only think of one word : AWESOME !
Good day. I happen to be re-reading Battleship at War, Ivan Musicant's great book about the USS Washington and her service in WWII. On page 250 the author says that "7 fast battleships, 8 carriers, 16 cruisers and 38 destroyers" were in Majuro lagoon. He doesn't specifically mention all 4 Iowas but it has to have been one of the greatest assemblages of USN steel ever! Oh yeah, Love the Channel!
I'd love to see even one of the Iowas in action much less all four. I think with their immense firepower and menacing appearance a division of them should be called an "apocalypse" ☠️
I never got the pleasure of serving while any where active, but an old salt machinists mate that I served with said he had never slept as good aboard ship as he did having, I think he said, New Jersey doing test firing while escorting his carrier (think Lincoln at the time). We were both dedicated CVN sailors.
I posted this video to a Cowboy Action Shooting forum and asked that question. One gentleman brought up the Korean shore battery incident with the Wisconsin and suggested "A Temper of Battleships."
Depending on which legion you look at, a legion is often between 5000 and 10000 men. 4 Iowa's should have 7200 to 10800 men on board. Even 2 Iowa's with complete crews have enough men on them to be called a legion. So go ahead, call it a legion :P
I was part of the pre-commissioning crew of USS Manley (DD-940) while she was going through an ASW modernization at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in late 1970/early 1971. The Wisconsin and the Iowa were in mothballs together there at the time. Several of us were able to get on board the pair while we were stationed there. Not quite the same as all four together, but two of them were pretty impressive.
And yet every big ship crewman wishes that they had the stones to be a destroyer man. The brave, fast, expendable, and we’re always up for a scrap. My ex-wives include the USS Deyo (DD-989) [1] and the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) 1. Big Navy decided to put our girl down in a SINKEX and all they had to do to make it a fair fight was to strip her of her crew, her ordinance, tie both of her screws behind her back, and weld her hatches open…
I worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard 1973 -4 maybe. They paid us to pump all the oil off (Coastal Services). It was the Iowa (tied to the dock) - New Jersey next to that and maybe the Wisconsin... Hard to remember. To this day I think the Iowa is haunted.
@@justinstout4151 my dad served aboard the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) I asked him once after he retired if he could serve on a battleship or go back to the Burke he said battleship
During Operation Ten Go, the Yamato dead ride, New Jersey, Missouri & Wisconsin were sent with Indiana, Massachusetts, & South Dakota to confront the Yamato. These battleships were accompanied by 21 destroyers with 7 cruisers including heavy cruisers Guam & Alaska. They never fired a shell as Marc Mitchner’s almost 400 aircraft sank the Yamato & nearly all its squadron as well.
Yeah, it would've been a slaughter either way. Six fast battleships against one? Nothing survives getting pounded by 54 16 inch guns for long. The only danger might've been if Yamato got some hits in, which it very easily could've. At the Battle off Samar, Yamato managed one of the furthest hits in naval history, second arguably only to when HMS Warspite hit the battleship Guilo Cesare. Even a handful of 18.1 inch shells could have done horrific damage to a South Dakota or Iowa-class battleship.
@@Cailus3542 The video game side of my personality wishes there had been that Mano y Mano fight. On the other had USN aviation casualties was very light. A ship to ship conflict would have been inevitably higher…
Your enthusiasm for these ships is appreciated by me . The history you literally immerse yourself in has got to be a job not dreading get to . Enjoy the content thank you
Seeing all 4 fireing full broadsides from a mile away would have been seriously cool to see. 13 years USN and saw plenty of cool shit, any full broadsides are cool. As long as not being fired at YOU! 🎅
I remember seeing a picture of about 5 or 6 US Aircraft Carriers at anchor in the same spot during WWII and being called "Murder's Row." The four Iowa's together in one place might be called the "Pain Train" or perhaps "Boom Town."
Ryan, I am sorry I do not have fancy terms like “a knot of battleships” or “a retribution of battleships”. But I can promise you there is no such thing as “a mob of wombats”. They are typically solitary. (Yes, boys & girls get together to make more wombats on occasions, but that’s pretty much it). Beware of Aussies telling you about the great wombat stampede of 1867 which nearly destroyed Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne. But I can tell you a remarkable amount about drop-bears……. Hi from 🇦🇺 Stay well
Two Battleships were usually together in combat (Korea) while the other two were back in the US and would then relieve the two that were in combat area. I was on the USS Iowa back in 1954 when they were all together back in Norfolk.
The most lovely picture I've ever seen of naval power. I adore the bow of the Iowa class. Reminds me of a crocodile, as where the earlier battleships were like an alligator.
My shop teacher had a saying which I think applies here he told us on special occasions "Bigger is better and too much is wonderful"! This group would be "Hammer Of God"
In 1986 when I worked in the Navy Base in Long Beach CA. both the New Jersey and the Missouri where there at the same time. The Missouri was in dry dock for some work. At that time the dry docks in Long Beach were the longest on the west coast one was a thousand feet long and to see the Missouri sitting there out of the water was something else.
For animal based ideas, you can always pull from sharks, where a group of them are called a Shiver. Alternately, the State Bird of Iowa is the American (or Eastern) Goldfinch, whose flocks can alternately be called a Charm. Otherwise, could reference their status as one of the most highly armored ships to roam the seas like wandering knights of old and call them an Order. So, something like a Shiver of Battleships, a Charm of Iowa-Classes, or an Order of Battleships perhaps.
Well, Zakaro, I'm old but you taught me something today. I knew the Eastern Goldfinch was Iowa's state bird, but a flock is called a Charm? Nope. And I've lived in Iowa all my 71 years. Cheers!
You had me at “a murder of battleships” in honor both the enlisted sailor (wearing the Crow) and the murderous power of Iowas. They are still amazing works of engineering - slide-rule engineering at that. On a side note while in the Navy I handed one of my sailors a pencil, paper, compass, sextant and slide-rule. I told him he had all the tools he needed to run any ship in the fleet other than manpower. I got look like I was nuts … guess what my boys figured out over the next week. That little slide-rule, pencil and piece of paper can become one hell of a computer when used right. Now back to our regular programming. …. A murder of battleships would be my vote.
Another great episode from you Ryan thank you for all the hard work you and the team at 'Battleship New Jersey' do and congratulations on 100k SUBSCRIBERS!!
I'd propose a Triarius of Battleships. The old Roman Republic armies had three lines: Hastati, Pricipes, and Triarii, where the Triarii (singular Triarius) were the heaviest, best equipped, and most experienced soldiers of the army. In a naval line of battle, battleships are the heaviest and most dangerous ships, much like the old Roman Third Line.
Hello from NC. Great video and it was so cool seeing all that awesome power together in one school, as they stand ready to "school" anyone who would be stupid enough! I loved the videos you did onboard the North Carolina. Maybe soon I'll take a trip up to see the New Jersey. I would call them the asskickers, or a group of hellian attitude adjusters. My Daddy was a WW2 vet. He was a combat medic in General Patton's 664th armored tank division. So I have always loved WW2 history. Thanks for making these videos my friend. You do a great job! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Just so you know some details, , The 664th was a Quarter Master Company, it was part of the 7th Armored Division , which was part of Patton's 3rd Army , then the 7th Arm Div was later part of the 9th Army.
Very cool, my grandfather was a decorated air force veteran, Korean War vet, loved everything about being in the air, and assisting guys in the air, but he had a love for New Jersey, that is un explainable, in the end, I feel he witnessed it in its glory, the shear power at some point in his 25 years of service, God Bless every person that has served or is serving in the armed forces!, I am not one, but have respect, admiration for all that have served this great country GOD BLESS!!
Boy, I've had a print photo of this division for years, but I had no idea about the back story. Thank you, Ryan and Libby. (My name for this division would be, 'Thunder and Lightning,' although that's not very creative.
Have seen this epic picture before, not the videos thanks so much for sharing. Just thinking if this film and pictures completed after Wisconsin's bow replaced with unfinished Kentucky's then perhaps this is the 5 Iowa's together! Would have been great to experience them all together and surprised nor more footage. Great work, love your videos
In ww2. They were rotated for maintenance. The same was done for aircraft carriers. This was usually done by class of ship making yard work more efficient.
A group of Iowa Battleships is called a "Stack". The bringing together of multiple arms. Like the bygone era of battleships, so to the stacking of arms like The M1, a synonymous WW2 firearm
I for one would go with "Speartip" - because that is what such a force is: Highly concentrated lethal force with significant range, to be hurled at the enemy in order to tear their heart out and break their will to fight. A spear may seem a humble choice of comparison, but there is good reason why spears are one of - if not the oldest type of weapon in mankind's arsenal and remained in use for milennia.
It's the wrong era, but I was thinking a "Diplomacy" of battleships in honor of the Great White Fleet. Although if it wasn't already taken by the carrier, a "Stick" of battleships would also be appropriate to honor Teddy Roosevelt.
In 1976 I saw the USS Missouri BB 63 and USS New Jersey BB 62 down a few ships (could only see bow hull number) in Bremerton, WA at the Puget Sound Navy Base. They closed the Missouri for a few days to film part of the Gregory Peck movie - MacArthur. Also, for the movie An Officer and Gentlemen shows both ships in background - Missouri and New Jersey next to each other at the beginning of the movie. Thanks for sharing your video.
My vote is for an Armageddon of Battleships. I visited USS Missouri in Bremerton when I was a kid in the 70's. My dad wanted to see her because he was a B-29 Lead Crew Aircraft Commander & had last seen her, Sep. 2, 1945, while flying over her in Tokyo Harbor. He was in charge of the B-29's flying over the surrender ceremony & then out over Tokyo proper, which lead all the other aircraft, first additional Army Air Force aircraft, followed by USN aircraft.
Maybe a "trembling of Iowas"? The gold finch is Iowa's official animal, and a group of finches is apparently sometimes called a "trembling". Also, the enemies are "trembling" in fear.
I think of battleships as the ancient Titans of Greek mythology, huge, powerful and majestic. I am an anime fan and when I think of the word Titan, one anime comes to mind (Attack on Titan). And I so, I think, we should call a division of battleships as.... Drum roll please...... RUMBLE. A Rumble or a rumbling of battleships (which ever your prefer).
What a beautiful sight! With there colors hoisted. Anyone surprised with New Jersey in the lead😅 And a group of Iowa’s should be called: “Arch Angels Row” “The Four Horsemen” or “Temper Temper”😅
For most of the interwar years right up to Pearl Harbor, the various fleets' Battle Forces only operated with 3-4 BatDivs with no squadron structure, but the 1947 organization shows First Fleet indeed had 2 Battleship Squadrons (BatRons).
Having been under the trajectory of one once off of Puerto Rico's Vieques island, my vote is for a Wobble of Battleships as the projectile makes this wobble sound, although a Thunder of Battleships isn't bad either.
Lots of good names, but I will vote for Apocalypse, because the 4 Iowas are like the 4 Horsemen. As a separate note, divisions of surface ships are seldom 4 of the same. When I was in DesRon One, DesDiv 11 consisted of a Charles F. Adams, a Gearing, a Forrest Sherman and a Sumner. DesDiv 12 consisted of a Charles F. Adams, a Gearing, a Sumner and a Fletcher.
I had never heard of a "surface division" before seeing this. Nowadays we have task forces and surface action groups. But a "division" of Naval aircraft is 4 planes, has been since WWII. The USAF and US Army air forces do *not* use the term "division" they say "4-ship". If USN had surface divisions before, then that explains why they would group aircraft into divisions too...and explains why USAF/USA do not use the term. Pretty cool!
What would I call a group of Iowa class battleships in place? A Flock of Nergals? Landscape Architecture Inc? The Artificial Reef Consortium? The Big Stick? RaDAR Love? Kirov Bane? If it were still PTO wartime, the best group name might be The Yasukuni Express. *Personally, I love a Flock of Nergals. Four biblical scale engines of destruction.
