The USS Iowa (BB 4)

Another picture from Dad's suitcase:

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Iowa (Battleship # 4), 1897-1923.
Later renamed Coast Battleship # 4.

USS Iowa, a 11,410-ton battleship built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in June 1897. She operated along the Atlantic seaboard for the rest of that year and into 1898. During the Spanish-American War Iowa served off Cuba and on 3 July 1898 played an important role in the Battle of Santiago, an action that destroyed Spain's naval power in the Western Hemisphere. In October of that year, a few months after the conflict's end, the battleship was sent around South America to join the Pacific Squadron. She served along the West Coast until February 1902, when she began a year with the South Atlantic Squadron.
Iowa's return to the U.S. Atlantic Coast in early 1903 was followed by an overhaul and, from late 1903 until mid-1907, active service with the North Atlantic Fleet. She was then placed in reserve, recommissioning in May 1910 after a modernization that gave her a new "cage" mainmast. The next four years were spent on training service, including taking Naval Academy Midshipmen to European waters . Again out of commission from May 1914 until April 1917, Iowa was employed during the First World War as Receiving Ship at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and as a training and guard ship in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Decommissioned at the end of March 1919, the now thoroughly-obsolete Iowa was renamed Coast Battleship No. 4 a month later in order to free her name for use on the new South Dakota class battleship BB-53. In 1920 the old warrior was converted to the Navy's pioneer radio-controlled target ship. While serving in this role, she was sunk by the guns of USS Mississippi in March 1923.
This page features selected views of USS Iowa (Battleship # 4) as she was from 1897 to 1909, and provides links to other views concerning this ship, both as a battleship and as a target ship.
For other images related to this ship, see:

USS Iowa (Battleship # 4) -- Views taken circa August 1898;
USS Iowa (Battleship # 4) -- Views taken circa 1910-1920;
USS Iowa (Battleship # 4) -- Actions and Activities, 1897-1919;
USS Iowa (Battleship # 4) -- Views On Board Ship; and
Coast Battleship No. 4 (ex- USS Iowa, Battleship # 4) -- As a Target Ship, 1921-1923.


Please click on the above links for more great pictures!

Today's funny :0)

It's no joke.....

Spring is on her way!

But there is a patch or two of the white stuff around ..... and it still drops down to the 20's & 30's at night.

Early Monday morning we had sleet and the deck was like a sheet of ice. I sure do hope that was the last of Winter!

Fun with.....

     ...... hedges!

 

Have no idea on how long it took to shape these, but I bet it would keep you busy for a couple of years!

Today's funny :0)

The big birds return

My vultures have come back to roost!

 Here are some of the feathers that I found on the ground under one of our bigger trees.

 Glad they are coming back this year. They are such fasinating birds to watch. Charlie will sound a warning when he sees a hawk flying too close, but he doesn't even let out a peep when these huge birds circle above. Maybe in his tiny rooster brain he realizes they pose no theat to him or his girls.


 Some info from: http://amazingpicturesofthebirds.blogspot.com
 Turkey Vulture Facts, Pictures, Information

The most widespread vulture in North America, the turkey vulture is locally called “buzzard” in many areas. A turkey vulture standing on the ground can, at a distance, resemble a wild turkey. It is unique among our vultures in that it finds carrion by smell as well as by sight. When threatened, it defends itself by vomiting powerful stomach acids. Polytypic (4 ssp.). Length 27" (69 cm); wingspan 69" (175 cm).

Identification Overall, it is black with brownish tones, especially on the feather edges. Legs are dark to pinkish in color, the head unfeathered. Adult: the red skin color of the head contrasts with the ivory bill and dark feather ruff on the neck. Juvenile: the skin of the head is dark, the bill dark with a pale base. Flight: a large dark bird that flies with its wings held in a noticeable dihedral. Usually rocks side-to-side, especially in strong winds. Underneath, the silvery secondaries contrast with the black primaries and wing coverts, giving a two-toned look to the wing. The tail is relatively long.

Geographic Variation Three subspecies are found in North America (aura, meridionalis, septentrionalis). Only a few minor differences in size and overall tone separate them.

Similar Species The black vulture has a quicker, shallow flap, shorter tail, and obvious white patches at the base of the primaries on its shorter, broader wings. The zone-tailed hawk and golden eagle will mimic the wing dihedral when hunting, and dark-morph Swainson’s hawks and rough-legged hawks also can fly in a dihedral, but at closer range all have feathered heads and different wing shapes. Zone-tailed also shows banded tail and yellow cere and legs.

Voice Hisses when threatened.

Status and Distribution Year-round in southern United States, migrates into northern United States and Canada. Breeding: nests on the ground, using a shallow cave, hollow log, or thick vegetation. Migration: northern populations migratory, some heading to Canada. Winter: increasing numbers in snowbound states. Vagrant: to Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Newfoundland.

Population Stable.

Good Morning!

Have a hectic weekend planned! Will be back on Monday, but in the meantime, I hope this morning's post brings back some good memories!

As kids, my brother and I waited patiently on the front stoop for our Dad to bring home the Sunday newspaper. And if we were very, very lucky - an almond coffee ring.

And my favorite: