Military
1
On April 19, 1989, while USS Iowa was conducting peacetime gunnery drills off the island of Viesques, Puerto Rico, a powder explosion occurred in Turret 2 as the center gun's powder bags exploded before the breech was closed. Fire spread throughout Turret 2 and down five decks below, killing forty-seven sailors. Iowa's damage control crews responded quickly, preventing the remaining powder and projectiles inside the other two loaded guns from exploding. The turret magazines were flooded, the fires were extinguished in about ninety minutes, and the crew's brave and skillful actions prevented additional explosions, the loss of more crew, and possibly the loss of Iowa herself.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Los Angeles, California · United States
