Movement and Display of USS Iowa 16-inch/50 Battleship

Barrel #270 at Cape Henry/JEB Fort Story

16-inch/50 barrel on the move at St. Juliens Creek Naval Annex

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 Movement and Display of USS Iowa 16-inch/50 Battleship
Barrel #270 at Cape Henry/JEB Fort Story

Table of Contents
1. Background
2. Current Status and Purpose this Document
3. Movement and Display Requirements
4. Proposed Step by Step Plan
5. Resources Needed and Costs
6. Fundraising
7. Partners
8. Appendix

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 Background of 16-inch/50 Battleship Barrel Project
In June 2011, the Coast Defense Study Group (www.CDSG.org) was asked to help find safe homes for eight historic
16-inch/50 Mark 7 barrels located at St. Juliens Creek Naval Annex in Chesapeake, VA or the barrels would be sold
for scrap and cut into eight feet sections. The US Navy was purging all the USS Iowa class materials in their inventory
and as the Navy felt that they had allowed plenty of time for qualified organizations to claim these barrels. Time had
now come to liquidate them (as they did for 14 similar barrels in storage at Hawthorne, CA in June 2011).
The CDSG was able to convince the NAVSEA Inactive Ships to give us more time to find organizations that would
both be able to take care of a 16-inch/50 barrel and pay for the cost of moving a 70 foot long object weighing about
120 tons. As these barrels are similar to the ones that were once located in WWII 16-inch coast defense batteries,
we approached the current owners of such sites to see if they would be interested in preserving and interpreting a
barrel at their site. As these barrels also saw wartime service during World War II and Korea we reached out to
those who would have interest in displaying a barrel from such famous ships as the USS Missouri, USS Iowa, and USS
New Jersey.
So far we have been able to inspire five groups to take up the challenge of raising funds and organize transportation.
It is a great accomplishment to have seven barrels leave St. Juliens and make their way to new homes. One barrel
went to the Cape Henlopen State Park (location of former Battery Smith at Fort Miles) in Delaware, the second
barrel went to the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge at Cape Charles, Virginia (location of the former Battery Winslow at
Fort John Custis), the third barrel was taken by rail to the State Capitol in Arizona to become part of their World War
II memorial (where is joined by a 14-inch barrel off the USS Arizona), while the fourth barrel has been moved to
Hartshorne Woods Park, in Highlands, New Jersey (the Monmouth County Park System is restoring the former
Battery Lewis, once part of the Navesink Military Reservation during World War II).
In January 2018, the Battleship New Jersey, the organization that administrates the USS New Jersey as a memorial &
museum in Camden, New Jersey moved all three USS New Jersey barrels by rail to the Philadelphia area. One barrel
is now on display at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, one is on display at the battleship itself in Camden, and one is on
display in Basking Ridge, NJ at museum dedicated to Mack Trucks (which were used to move these barrels during
World War Two to the coast artillery batteries along America’s east and west coasts).
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 16"/50 Mark VII Guns Identified at St. Julien's Creek Naval
Annex on May 11, 2011

All of these guns saw action during World War Two. Gun 270 was the first 16"/50 Mark VII gun built and guns 371, 387 and 393 were aboard
USS Missouri during the surrender ceremony of the Empire of Japan on September 2, 1945. It is important to note that none of the 16" guns
that are currently installed on the Iowa class battleships saw action during WWII or Korea as all four ships were re-gunned in the mid 1950's.
 Current Status of 16-inch/50 Battleship Barrel Project

The task of finding good homes for the remaining barrel (Barrel #270 off the USS Iowa) is even more difficult as
many of most likely candidates have already declined to take on the financial and organizational effort to move a
16-inch/50 barrel to their site. If “good home” cannot be located, the Navy will offered the remain barrel for sale
as scrap, so time is of essence to find a home for this barrel. The USS Iowa Veterans Association and the CDSG
does not want that fate for this historic barrel (which is the very first production Mark 7 to be installed on the
Iowa class of battleships).

The USS Iowa Veterans Association has advocated and raised funds from its members to pay for moving of the
Barrel #270 to the USS Iowa Memorial (dedicated to the 47 sailors that died during the ship’s turret explosion in
1989) which is onboard the Naval Station Norfolk (NSN). While the leadership of the NSN has been open to the
idea of placing Barrel #270 at the memorial, issues with public access to the memorial site and soil conditions for
the foundation for the cradle (using lower half of the barrel’s lifting cradle), have caused the Navy Region Mid-
Atlantic to assess other display locations for the barrel in the Norfolk area. This review resulted in the selection a
site for Barrel #270 near the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach, VA onboard JEB Little Creek-Fort Story
so the public could visit the historic barrel when visiting the lighthouse and display foundation issues would
simplified. Both RADM Christopher Gray (C.O. of the Navy Region Mid Atlantic) and Capitan Michael Witherspoon
(C.O. of JEB Little Creek-Fort Story) support the placement of the USS Iowa Barrel #270 at JEB Fort Story.

The project calls for moving the Navy owed asset from a Navy controlled facility (St. Julian Creek Naval Annex) to
a Navy controlled facility (JEB Fort Story), which are about 25 miles apart. The barrel and its cradle (and two 16-
inch projectiles) would be displayed near the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse on concrete footings and feature display
signs so tourists coming to see the old lighthouse could also learn of JEB Fort Story’s military history. Themes for
these signs would be the USS Iowa and its heritage, the role of the Army’s coast artillery (and this type of 16-inch
barrel was installed within 400 yards of the display location at nearby Battery Ketchum) during WW2 at Fort
Story, and to honor the service of both sailors and soldiers that served in the Hampton Roads area since WW2.
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 Purpose of this Document
The Navy Region Mid-Atlantic does not have the organic resources to move Barrel #270 from St. Juliens Naval
Annex to JEB Fort Story nor can the Navy fund the construction of memorials. Heavy Lift assets, Heavy Duty
trucks and trailers, and other equipment will need to be procured from contractors, along with the manpower
to operate them and to provide project management. The USS Iowa Veteran Association and the CDSG, along
with other organizations, such as City of Virginia Beach and other civic groups will need to fundraise to pay
these contractors or seek donations in-kind from these contractors. This document will proposed a movement
and display plan for USS Iowa Barrel #270, as well as a fundraising plan. After several years of effort the Navy
(approval sign-off was required all the way up to the Pentagon), the Navy accepted this plan on October 12,
2021. This process started with a October 4, 2019 letter from RADM Charles Rock, Commander, Navy Region
Mid-Atlantic, and other supporting correspondence.

Based on the other 16-inch barrel movement from St. Juliens Creek over the last several years, it is estimated
that about $150k is needed to fund the movement of the barrel the 25-miles from St. Juliens Creek to Cape
Henry. Mr. Gerard Costin, who is leading the USS Iowa Veterans Association’s efforts to raise the required funds
reports that the Association has raised about $25k to date while the CDSG has raised $35k to date from it
members and other donors. A donation in kind of $30k has been made for the prep/coating phase (Phase III).
Several pledges and requests for corporate sponsorship are outstanding. This leaves $60k to be raised to cover
the remaining projected cash costs.

Contracting for this project has already started with the construction of the concrete foundations at Cape
Henry. Metal stanchions for projectiles have been fabricated and a route permitting is underway to move the
barrel and cradle. A contract with a specialized painting firm has been signed to prep/coat the barrel, cradle,
and two 16-inch projectiles. Pricing for the lifting and transport has been agreed. Scheduling for the movement
to painting facilities is underway. Final movement will need to wait until we have raised the remaining $60k.

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 Movement and Display of USS Iowa 16-inch/50 Battleship
Barrel #270 at Cape Henry/JEB Fort Story

USS Iowa Barrel #270 today at St. Juliens Creek Naval Annex in Chesapeake, VA

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement and Display Requirements
Let me describe in summary, in based on the seven other barrel movements, the current thinking on how
to complete the movement and display of USS Iowa 16-inch barrel project at JEB Little Creek-Fort Terry:

Phase One is the preparation of construction drawings for the three concrete foundation pads and two 16-
inch projectile pads (see plans below). The Navy approved these plans and construction was undertaken
this summer at Cape Henry and the pads awaits the barrel and projectiles. (Phase One is completed).

Phase Two would be the placement of barrel and cradle (remember it is 70 feet long and weighs in at 120
tons) on a specialized heavy-duty truck trailer. CDSG/USS Iowa Assn has arranged for this heavy lift from St.
Julians Naval Annex in Chesapeake to Marine Specialty Painting’s facility in Portsmouth as the Navy does
not own such assets. Once route permitting is approved the barrel and cradle will be moved about 2 miles.

Phase Three would be to remove the top of the lifting cradle, prep and paint the barrel and cradle while
still on the heavy duty trailer. Also, two steel stanchions will be construed for the projectiles. The two 16-
inch projectiles will also be prep and painted and mated with their steel stanchions at this facility. It is
assumed the stayover at this facility would be about a month.

Phase Four has the barrel (and its lifting cradle) and two projectiles transported via the road network to
JEB Fort Story in Virginia Beach. The heavy duty truck and trailer would move the barrel the 25 miles to JEB
Fort Story. The ground transport will require permitting from VDOT as well as from the City of Portsmouth,
City of Norfolk and City of Virginia Beach to allow this road transport. This heavy lift transport is projected
to enter through Gate 8 and move down Atlantic Avenue to the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse area.

Phase Five would be where a heavy lift crane has been mobilized to be on site at JEB Fort Story to lift the
barrel and cradle off the trailer on to the already prepared three foundation pads and two projectile
foundation pads. The final action would be to design, construct, and erect display signs.

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 Possible Movement Route of USS Iowa 16-inch/50 Battleship
Barrel #270 to Cape Henry/JEB Fort Story

JEB Fort Story

St. Juliens

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase One

Phase One: Above are the construction plans for the foundation to support the three steel cradle supports and
the two steel stanchions for the projectiles. Before the barrel and projectiles arrives on site these foundations
need to be completed and cured. We will use the existing steel cradle to support the barrel, while constructing
the steel stanchions for the projectiles. These foundations and stanchions are completed.
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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase One

Phase One: Above are photos of the foundation to support the three steel cradle supports and the two steel
stanchions for the projectiles. We will use the existing steel cradle to support the barrel, while constructing the
steel stanchions for the projectiles.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase One

Phase One: Above are photographs of display of the 16-inch projectiles on steel stanchions at San Pedro, CA and
the newly constructed stanchions at MSP in Portsmouth, VA. 16-inch shells were recently transferred from the
Battleship New Jersey to our specialty painting facility for prep/painting and placement on the steel stanchions.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Two

Phase Two: Mobilization of a heavy lift crane, heavy duty truck and trailer, and supporting equipment to St. Julian
Creek Naval Annex. Lifting the barrel onto trailer will require cribbage to support the lift as seen in the photo
above. This lift has happened seven times in the last several years so requirements are know and these experts
would be called upon to provide project engineering. The Navy needs to approve this lifting and movement off
the Annex. This is one of the USS New Jersey’s barrels in motion in 2018.
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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Three

Phase Three: One of the USS Missouri's barrels placed on specialized heavy duty trailer in March 2015.
Barrel #270 and its cradle (total weight about 130 tons) on the trailer will be driven on the local road
network about 2 miles to the specialty painting facility for prep/coating. The barrel will be offload and
treated over a 30 day period.
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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Three

Phase Three: The specialty painting facility will prep/coat the barrel and cradle while on the heavy duty
trailer. The upper cradle will be removed and the two 16-inch projectiles with their stanchions (recently
fabricated) be loaded on to the trailer for the final leg to JEB Fort Story.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Three

Phase Three: Above is shown the removal of the upper cradle so the lower cradle will be used as part of the
permanent display at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Once the upper cradle is removed the barrel and lower
cradle will be prepped and painted.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Four

Phase Four: Contractors will use specialized a heavy duty trailer to move Barrel #270 and its lifting cradle on
a pre-approved route through the Cities of Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. This special load
bearing trailer will allow the weight to be distributed so lessen the weight on the roadbed so to meet
permitting requirements from VDOT and each jurisdiction.
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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Four

Display Area

Enter via Gate 8

Phase Four: Entering JEB Fort Story’s Gate 8 the heavy duty truck would pull the barrel, cradle, and trailer
down Atlantic Avenue the roughly 1 mile to the lighthouse area where Barrel #270 will be permanently
displayed. The Navy has approved the route taken for the barrel through JEB Fort Story.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Five

USS Iowa Barrel

#270 Display Area

Phase Five: Barrel #270 will be displayed next to the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse to allow the public to visit the
barrel when they take the shuttle from Gate 8. The Navy has approved the final location and the completed
foundations for the cradle and projectiles.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Five

Phase Five: Above is shown the footings used at the Philadelphia Navy Yard to support the three steel cradle
supports. Mobilization of a heavy lift crane to JEB Fort Story will be required to lift Barrel #270 of the heavy
duty trailer on to the foundation.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement - Proposed Step by Step Plan
Phase Five

Phase Five: Above is shown the final display of the 16-inch/50 battleship barrel at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
The upper cradle has been removed and the barrel and cradle have been prepped and painted. Display signage
has been installed to explain the history of the barrel and its relationship to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement and Display - Resources Needed and Costs

The movement and display of the USS Iowa 16-inch/50 will an array of equipment and manpower. Key items
are the following and associated estimated cost:
1. Rental of Heavy Lift Crane and Crew at St. Juliens $25,500
2. Transport using Special Heavy Duty Trailer and Heavy Duty Truck $18,000
3. Removal of Upper Cradle and Prep/Paint Barrel, Cradle, and Projectiles $30,000 Donated
4. Permitting for road transport to VDOT and local cities $ 9,500
5. Rental of Heavy Life Crane and Crew at JEB Fort Story $28,000
6. Construction of Cradle and Projectiles Foundation $31,000
7. Contingency (5%) $ 8,000
________
Total Resources Need and Estimated Costs $150,000
Total Less In-Kind Services $120,000

Some of these cash costs can be reduced if contractors make in-kind donations to the CDSG or USS Iowa Assn
(both Section 501(c)(3) charitable organizations).

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement and Display - Fundraising

Funds on Hand: Mr. Gerard Costin, who is leading the USS Iowa Veterans Association’s efforts to raise the
required funds reports that the Association has raised about $25k to date while the CDSG has raised $35k
from its members and other donors. Two corporate sponsors have pledged $20k so far.

Fundraising: Now that the barrel movement and display plan is agreed upon with the Navy, as well as their
acceptance of our “movement and display” gift to the Navy, we will take the following actions:
• A new fundraising campaign to our membership, which is expected to raise about $10k
• Discussions with our contractors if they will provide their services at cost or provide them as in-
kind donations (for tax deduction and goodwill and PR in the Hampton Roads area) $30k
committed.
• Selected outreach to large defense contractors that work with the Navy (for tax deduction and
goodwill and PR with the Navy)
• Targeted fundraising campaign to local business, such as Huntington Ingalls Industries, Sentara
Healthcare, Atlantic Diving Supply, Bank of America, GEICO Direct, STIHL, Inc., BAE Systems Norfolk
Ship Repair, SAIC, Navy Federal Credit Union, etc.
• Engagement with non-profit and veterans organizations, such as The Hampton Roads Military
Advisory Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Navy League, Fleet Reserve Assn,
Virginia Ship Repair Association, Virginia Maritime Association, Virginia Beach Hotel Association,
Hampton Road Chamber of Commerce, etc.
• Outreach to the City of Virginia Beach through the City Council, Virginia Beach Historical
Commission, MEDAC, and Virginia Beach Resort Advisory Commission
• Select outreach to large donors to military history and US history preservation projects.

Fundraising Goal: Raise the remaining $60k to cover the projected cash costs.
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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement and Display - Partners
USS Iowa Veterans Association (www.ussiowavetassn.com) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring our brotherhood lives on. We
share information about current events associated with the USS IOWA, host a regular reunion, and sell merchandise allowing you to celebrate
and identify your membership as a part of the crew. The organization was started by shipmates from the 1950s crew in the late 1970s. What
began as an organization of just a few has now reached several thousand. We're dedicated to getting our shipmates together, having fun, and
sharing experiences through our yearly reunions.
Gerald Costin — 2nd Vice President, PO Box 195271, Winter Springs, FL 32719 – 321-759-BB61

Coast Defense Study Group (www.CDSG.org) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the study of seacoast fortifications. CDSG’s purpose is
to promotes education about and preservation of seacoast defenses, primarily those of the United States. The study of coast defenses and
fortifications include their history, architecture, technology, strategic and tactical employment and evolution. Our key missions include the
preservation of coast defense sites, equipment, and records, and conducting charitable activities that promote this preservation.
Terry McGovern, Secretary/Treasurer, 1700 Oak Lane, McLean, VA 22101 - 571-228-4193

Crofton Industries (www.crofton.com) Crofton offers comprehensive solutions including heavy lifting, barge & tug services, and specialized
hauling in addition to commercial diving and marine construction. Crofton is proud to still be a family owned and operated business and
serves as an employer to over 120 individuals including many third generation family members.
Kenny Crofton, Owner, President: Crofton Construction, 16 Harper Rd, Portsmouth, VA 23707 - 757-397-1131

The Mahan Collection Foundation (www.themahancollection.org) The purpose of our organization is to acquire, preserve, maintain, restore,
and hold for display to the public directly or through other organizations antique and historic vehicles, especially Mack Trucks, equipment and
machinery. We were formed for the preservation of our mechanical history and to educate the public of such items. We acquire such items
through donation and purchases and restore those in need of repair.
Gary Mahan P.O. Box 367 Millington, NJ 07946 – 908-672-8255
Preservation Virginia. Preservation Virginia owns historic sites across
Virginia including Historic Jamestowne, site of the first permanent
English settlement in North America, and the Cape Henry Light, one of
the first public works projects of the United States of America.
Sonja Ingram 583 Atlantic Avenue Fort Story, VA 23459 – 434-770-1209

Link to video on moving the USS New Jersey barrels:

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 16-inch/50 Barrel Movement and Display - Partners
Inactive Ships Office, SEA 21I, Naval Sea Systems The Navy Inactive Ships Office (SEA 21I) is responsible for managing the inactivation, storage,
and disposal of conventionally powered U.S. Navy ships and crafts that have reached the end of their service life. SEA21I is committed to
supporting the fleet by developing ship inactivation plans, supporting inactivation availabilities and transitioning the ships from the fleet. SEA21I
ensures that the inactive ship inventory is managed in a manner most advantageous to the Government to include ship dismantlement, support
for weapons effects testing, foreign military sales transfer, and donations.
Mr. Gary Kitchen, Naval Sea Systems Command ATTN: SEA 21I, 1333 Isaac Hull Ave, SE Washington Navy Yard, DC 20376 – 202-781-0682

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEB Little Creek-Fort Story) JEB Little Creek-Fort Story employs 18,091 military and civilian
personnel making it the largest military employer in the City of Virginia Beach. The base covers nearly 4,000 acres of land with 7.6 miles of
beachfront area. There are 18 large ships home ported there with an additional mix of 126 smaller craft. On October 1, 2009, the JEB Little Creek-
Fort Story was established, the first Joint Base in Hampton Roads. JEB Little Creek-Fort Story is the country's premier installation for housing and
training the nation's Expeditionary Forces. It is one command with two properties: JEB Fort Story and JEB Little Creek. The Joint Expeditionary
Base is comprised of the former Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and the Army Post of Fort Story.
Capitan Michael Witherspoon, Commanding Officer, 2600 Tarawa Court, Ste 100, Virginia Beach, VA 23459-3297 – 757-462-7231

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Region Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) is the regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnel
and shore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses 20 states, 14 installations, and 50 Naval Operational Support Centers (NOSCs).
As the naval shore installation management headquarters for the Mid-Atlantic region, CNRMA provides coordination of base operating support
functions for operating forces throughout the region in support of the Fleet, Fighter and Family.
RADM Christopher Gray, Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, 1510 Gilbert St., Norfolk, VA 23511 – 757-322-2800

City of Virginia Beach is home to more than 456,000 people, Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia and the
39th largest city in the United States. A dynamic community strengthened by a diverse mix of industry,
attractions and people, Virginia Beach is recognized globally as one of the best places to live, work and do
business. With 38 miles of beaches and 79 miles of scenic waterways, this vibrant East Coast city is situated along
the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, in the southeastern corner of the state, about a four-
hour drive by car to Washington D.C., and within a day's drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population.
Military Economic Development Advisory Committee (MEDAC) - 4525 Main Street, Suite 700, Virginia Beach, VA
RADM Fenton Priest, SC, USN (Ret.) Chair - Charlie Bauman Direct: (757) 385-6498
Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission - 2101 Parks Avenue, Suite 500, Virginia Beach VA 23451
James Wood, Chair - Mark Reed, Historic Preservation Planner Direct: (757) 385-8573
Resort Advisory Commission - 2101 Parks Avenue, Suite 302, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
BJ Baumann, Chair - Mike Eason , Resort Administrator Direct: (757) 385-6639

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 Movement and Display of USS Iowa 16-inch/50 Battleship
Barrel #270 at Cape Henry/JEB Fort Story

Newest 16-inch/50 Battleship Barrel display at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Model for the JEB Fort Story display.

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 Movement and Display of USS Iowa 16-inch/50
Battleship Barrel #270 at Cape Henry/JEB Fort Story

Appendix

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 History of Cape Henry/Fort Story
Cape Henry is located in the northeast corner of Virginia Beach. It is the southern boundary of the entrance to Chesapeake
Bay. Across the mouth of the bay to the north is Cape Charles. Named for sons of King James I of England in 1607, together
Cape Henry and Cape Charles form the Virginia Capes. The Cape Henry Memorial commemorates The First Landing of the
settlers that established Jamestown. Nearby, the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first in the United States. First
Landing State Park occupies and protects the rest of the cape itself, as well as some of the nearby area.

Fort Story became a military installation in 1914 to allow coast artillery to be installed to protect the entrance to Chesapeake
Bay. The base was named for Gen. John Patten Story, a noted coast artilleryman of his day. During World War I, Fort Story
was integrated into the Coast Defenses of Chesapeake Bay, which included Fort Monroe and Fort Wool. After World War I,
the base was designated a Harbor Defense Command and entered a period of post-war inactivity which lasted until the
beginning of World War II. In 1941, the Headquarters of the Harbor Defense Command was moved from Fort Monroe to Fort
Story, more land was acquired, and additional harbor defense installations were added. In 1944, Fort Story began to
transition from a heavily fortified coast artillery garrison to a convalescent hospital for returning veterans. By the time of its
closing March 15, 1946, the hospital had accommodated more than 13,472 patients.

In 1946, after World War II, the first amphibious training at Fort Story began and the fort was designated a Transportation
Corps installation for use in training amphibious and terminal units in the conduct of Logistics-Over-The-Shore operations. As
a result of a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure recommendation, Fort Story operations were transferred to the United
States Navy. On October 1, 2009, Fort Story became part of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story.

Joint Expeditionary Base – Fort Story has three historic sites. The Cape Henry Memorial Cross marks the location where
the Jamestown Settlers first landed in 1607. The Old Cape Henry Light was the first lighthouse authorized and built by the
Federal Government. At the Battle of the Virginia Capes Monument, there is a statue of French Admiral François Joseph
Paul, Comte de Grasse to commemorate the famous sea battle on September 5, 1781 which prevented the British from
reaching Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. Also of historical interest, the new Cape Henry Lighthouse was
completed in 1881 and is still maintained by the US Coast Guard as an active coastal beacon. More than a dozen coast
artillery batteries were installed during World War II. These batteries along with similar batteries located at Fort John
Custis on Cape Charles and batteries at Fort Monroe on Old Point Comfort were used to guard the entrance to Chesapeake
Bay against an attack by hostile naval forces. An Army Nike Missile battery was located on Fort Story from 1958 to 1974.

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16-inch Coast Artillery Batteries at Cape Henry/Fort Story

Proofing Battery Ketchum 16-inch/50 gun in 1943

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 16-inch/50 Coast Defense Batteries

The coming of World War II led to the development of new 16-inch batteries at Fort Story. The
emplacements for the new batteries would differ from previous designs (such as the disbursed, open
emplacements of the two 16-inch howitzer batteries, Pennington and Walke, at Fort Story) as protective
measures from both naval shelling and aerial bombing were provided by adding reinforced concrete
casemates and/or armored shields.

The 16-inch/50 guns were mounted in pairs inside thick concrete casemates approximately 500 feet apart.
Between the casemates was a service tunnel off which several protected rooms contained powder and
projectile storage, while a perpendicular gallery led to the power room and air conditioning equipment
rooms. The entire structure was roofed by 8 to 10 feet of reinforced concrete, which in turn was covered
with a layer of sand up to 20 feet thick. The guns in the casemates were further protected by heavy armor
shields and additional overhead concrete and steel. The center entrance was through the power room,
with other entrances behind each gun. These batteries had their plotting rooms removed to a separate
bombproof structure, away from the noise and blast of the guns.

This standard design became known as the #100 Series Battery Construction. All the 16-inch guns used in
the Chesapeake Bay defenses were US Navy guns which became available to the US Army as a result of
the Washington Naval Conference of 1922 limitations on new warship building. These 16-inch guns had a
range of 45,155 yards or about 25 miles. Two of these 16-inch coast defense batteries were constructed
at Fort Story – Battery Ketchum (#120) and Battery #121 – which are located within sight of the Old Cape
Henry Lighthouse. Though their 16-inch/50 guns are gone, the emplacement themselves are still in used
today by several US Navy tenants.

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 Cape Henry and Fort Story in 1945

Diamond is the location of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, while the Rectangle is Battery #121
and the Oval is Battery Ketchum – The Straight Lines are Batteries Pennington and Walke
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 Original “Big Lift” for the 16-inch/50 Barrels

Offloading barrel from rail car to trailer for movement to emplacement in 1942
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 The Future of a 16-inch/50 Display at Fort Story
Adding a 16-inch barrel to the current memorial area at Fort Story will honor the
veterans that defend our homeland in both WW I and WWII and allowing Fort Story
visitors to experience the massive size and power of these coast artillery guns

16-inch Gun Crew during WWII at Fort Story

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 History of USS Iowa (BB-61)
USS Iowa (BB-61) is the lead ship of her class of battleship and
the fourth in the United States Navy to be named in honor of the
state of Iowa. During World War II, she carried President Franklin
D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic to Mers El Kébir, Algeria, en
route to a crucial 1943 meeting in Tehran with Prime Minister
Winston Churchill of Britain and Josef Stalin of the Soviet Union.
When transferred to the Pacific Fleet in 1944, Iowa shelled
beachheads at Kwajalein and Eniwetok in advance of Allied
amphibious landings and screened aircraft carriers operating in
the Marshall Islands. She also served as the Third Fleet flagship,
flying Adm. William F. Halsey's flag at the Japanese surrender in
Tokyo Bay. During the Korean War, Iowa was involved in raids on
the North Korean coast, after which she
was decommissioned into the United States Navy reserve fleets,
better known as the "mothball fleet." She was reactivated in
1984 as part of the 600-ship Navy plan and operated in both the
Atlantic and Pacific Fleets to counter the recently
expanded Soviet Navy. In April 1989, an explosion and fire
wrecked her No. 2 gun turret, killing 47 sailors.
The Iowa was decommissioned for the last time in the year 1990,
and was initially stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1995.
She was reinstated from 1999 to 2006 to comply with federal
laws that required retention and maintenance of two Iowa-class
battleships. In 2011 USS Iowa was donated to the Los Angeles–
based non-profit Pacific Battleship Center and was permanently
moved to Berth 87 at the Port of Los Angeles in 2012, where she
was opened to the public as the USS Iowa Museum.

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USS Iowa Association and the 16-inch/50 Barrel Project

Installing #270 on the USS Iowa in Fall of 1942

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 Honoring Falling Shipmate and Veterans from
the US Navy’s WW2, Korean War, and Cold War Era

25th Anniversary Ceremony at Iowa Point

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 16-inch/50 Battleship Barrel Project

16"/50 Mark VII Guns with lifting cradles at St. Julien's Creek Annex, Chesapeake, VA
Dahlgren History Project team members kicks of this project on May 11, 2011
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 16-inch/50 Battleship Barrel Project

USS Iowa 16"/50 barrel #270 at St. Julien's Creek Annex, Chesapeake, VA on 4/15/22
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 16"/50 Mark 7 Guns with WWII Service History (Determined from Star Gauge Records)

Ship First Date Recorded on Ship Last Date Recorded on Ship Gun SN Turret & Position Fate (as of May 2011)
August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 270 Turret 1 Left 1. Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA
August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 271 Turret 1 Center NSWC Dahlgren

August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 272 Turret 1 Right Stored at Hawthorne, NV SCRAPPED
August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 273 Turret 3 Right Medicine Hat, Canada - Smooth Bored?

USS Iowa BB-61 August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 274 Turret 3 Left Cut Down for Use at Mare Island Shipyard

August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 275 Turret 3 Center Was at Barbados - Fired Sabotted Rounds - Moved to Tonapah
August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 285 Turret 2 Right Suffield, Alberta Canada - Smooth Bored

August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 286 Turret 2 Left Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator

August 23, 1944 May 13, 1953 287 Turret 2 Center Stored at Hawthorne, NV SCRAPPED

September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 277 Turret 2 Left NSWC Dahlgren
September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 276 Turret 2 Right Yuma HARP Barrel

September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 278 Turret 2 Center NSWC Dahlgren
September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 289 Turret 3 Left NSWC Dahlgren
USS New Jersey BB-62 September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 290 Turret 3 Center On Display at Norfolk Naval Shipyard Trophy Park 2. Moved to NNS in 1994
September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 291 Turret 1 Right Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA 3. Hartshorne Woods Park, NJ
September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 292 Turret 1 Left Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA 4. Philadelphia Navy Yard, PA
September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 293 Turret 1 Center Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA 5. Battleship NJ Camden NJ

September 24, 1943 March 10, 1954 366 Turret 3 Right Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA 6. Mahan Collection, NJ

May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 371 Turret 1 Center Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA 7. Cape Henlopen State Park
May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 372 Turret 1 Left Stored at Hawthorne, NV - SCRAPPED

May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 386 Turret 2 Right Stored at Hawthorne, NV Golden Gate NRA
May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 387 Turret 2 Center Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA 8. US RW Cape Charles. VA
USS Missouri BB-63 May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 388 Turret 2 Left Stored at Hawthorne, NV - SCAPPED
May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 389 Turret 1 Right Stored at Hawthorne, NV - SCRAPPED

May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 390 Turret 3 Right Stored at Hawthorne, NV? - SCRAPPED
May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 392 Turret 3 Center Stored at Hawthorne, NV - SCAPPED

May 16, 1945 May 25, 1953 393 Turret 3 Left Stored at St. Julien's Creek, VA 9. AZ War Memorial, AZ

September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 279 Turret 2 Right Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator

September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 294 Turret 2 Left Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator

September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 295 Turret 2 Center Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator

September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 296 Turret 1 Right Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator
USS Wisconsin BB-64
September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 297 Turret 1 Left Apparently at Johns Hopkins
September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 298 Turret 1 Center ?

September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 307 Turret 3 Right Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator

September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 308 Turret 3 Left Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator
11/10/2022 September 20, 1944 June 25, 1954 309 Turret 3 Center Scrapped at Dahlgren in 1964 for Stanford Linear Accelerator
39
 Without “good homes” this is the fate for the 16-inch Barrels

Fourteen 16-inch battleship barrels cut-up for scrap at Hawthorne Army Depot in 2011

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