Battleship Iowa anchors off Southern California

Written by Gary Robbins
4:41 p.m., May 30, 2012
Updated 5:26 p.m.

The 887-foot battleship Iowa has completed its journey from the Bay area to Southern California and is now anchored off the Port of Los Angeles, where it will stay for several days while its hull is cleaned. The ship -- one of the most distinguished vessels to serve in World War II and the Korean War -- will then be guided by tugboats into San Pedro, where it will become a public museum. (On Wednesday afternoon, the Iowa was visible offshore as far south as Seal Beach.)

A charter company is taking spectators out to the anchorage to see the ship. CLICK HERE to learn more. The ship will open to the public at a berth in San Pedro on July 7th.

U-T Sandiego will publish an extensive story in Sunday's newspaper explaining how the ship will be opened to the public, and how well other warships have served as public exhibits.

(Video report from KCBS-LA)

Fast facts:
•USS Iowa
•Weight: 45,000 tons
•Length: 887 feet
•Beam:108 feet
•Draft: 37' 2''
•Speed: 33 knots
•Complement: 151 officers, 2,637 enlisted

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