Picture: Morning light on the Battleship USS IOWA (BB 61) as she sits awaiting her fate, moored in the Mothball Fleet, Suisun Bay, near Martinez, California
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Yesterday was a first. It was the first time that I specifically set out to use my boat as a shooting platform for my business, as opposed to a recreational escape. For my current book project, I’ve been photographing things related to California and history. A recent news story caught my attention whereby it was stated that the 50+ old WWII ships parked in Suisun Bay are supposed to be sent off for cleaning and eventual recycling.
Since the turn of the century, the Mothball Fleet had a new flagship with the arrival of the historic USS IOWA Battleship (BB 61). Since that time, this proud warrior ship, and defender of many U.S. Military personnel has sat idle, bididng her time, and waiting for her final disposition. My son went with me on this trip, and even helped steer our boat into position while daddy took pictures. (Read: Went to work.) As we cruised around the area working various water-bound vantage points, this became another great chance to work in a life-learning lesson for my son. When I told him they want to scrap the ship, he asked why no one wants to save it. It wasn’t an easy answer to explain why the people of San Francisco turned down the chance to save this ship as a museum due to a culturally-based political bias against the military.
Now I’m as peace-luvin’, granola & Big Mac eating, anti-war type as they come, but that doesn’t mean I’m anti-military. I have the greatest respect for all members of the military, including members of my own & extended family that have served. I also feel it’s important for all of us to at least show due respect for something that played such a vital role in our country’s history, something not lost on any member of what Tom Brokaw called the “Greatest Generation“. It’s like if you ever go to visit the Memorial for the crew of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor; pro-military or anti-war, there’s just something about it….
I remember when I was a kid, just about the same age as my son, I got a chance to tour the USS Massachusetts. It’s a memory that stays with me today more than 30 years later. Apparently there are a couple groups trying to save the USS IOWA, and I truly hope they succeed. To see such a proud and mighty vessel sitting quietly is one thing if she’s serving as a rememberence, a reminder, and a teacher. But it’s something all together different to think she’s quietly biding her time before being towed off to be chopped up and melted down as nothing more than mere scrap.
For more info, check out: SAVE THE USS IOWA and Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square.
Oh yeah, and as for my son and I, we spent the rest of that November day on flat calm water and almost summer-like weather with temps hoovering near 80 degrees, fishing. The only thing missing from this perfect day was… the fish.
