USS Iowa turret explosion

Iowa fires main guns near Puerto Rico in 1984.
Cut away diagram of Iowa 16-inch gun turret.
Color version.
16-inch ammunition
Powder bags and 16-inch projectiles on the USS Missouri, Iowa's sister ship
Master Chief Stephen Skelley
Captain Larry Seaquist (left), Gunner's Mate 1st Class Dale Mortensen (center), and Master Chief Gunner's Mate Charles Hill (right) on Iowa in December 1984
1,000th projectile being hoisted to spanning tray for Turret Two's center gun
Crewmen in Turret Two's center gun roll powder bags from the powder hoist into the spanning tray.
Powder bags are rammed into Turret Two's center gun
Cutaway diagram of a 16-inch gun loaded with projectile and powder bags with the rammer arm extended.
1,000th projectile being fired from number 2 center gun.
The number 2 turret on Iowa explodes.
Pieces fly from the center gun of the number 2 turret as it explodes.
Iowa's flag is flown at half-mast upon the ship's return to Norfolk after the explosion.
Upon its return to Norfolk, Turret 2 is still locked to starboard with blackened gunbarrels from the explosion.
Victims of the explosion arrive at Dover Air Force Base for autopsy.
Victims of the explosion arrive at Dover Air Force Base for autopsy.
Captain Fred Moosally speaks with President George Bush at a memorial service for the Iowa crewmen killed in the explosion.
President George Bush speaks at the memorial service for the Iowa crewmen killed in the explosion.
Rear Admiral Richard Milligan directed the first investigation into the Iowa turret explosion.
Admirals Milligan and Edney brief reporters on the conclusions from the first investigation into the explosion.
Milligan holds up two books that reputedly belonged to Hartwig during his briefing on the USN's findings from the first investigation into the explosion.
Admiral Leon Edney, Vice Chief of Naval Operations during the first Iowa investigation and accused of helping cover up or suppress evidence that was contrary to the first report's findings.
Admiral Carlisle Trost, Chief of Naval Operations during the Iowa explosion investigation.
Senator Howard Metzenbaum helped lead a Senate inquiry into the Navy's first investigation.
Senator John Glenn helped lead a Senate inquiry into the Navy's first investigation.
Senator Sam Nunn led the Senate Armed Services Committee's inquiry into the Navy's first investigation.
US Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar helped lead the House inquiry into the Navy's first investigation.
Rear Admiral Ming Chang, USN's inspector general whose report on the investigation was suppressed by top USN leaders.
Rear Admiral Brent Baker, Chief of Naval Information during Milligan's investigation.
Vice Admiral Douglas Katz participated in the Iowa investigation and communicated with the Hartwig family on behalf of the USN.
Admiral Jeremy Boorda reportedly helped cover up details of the Iowa explosion.
Captain Moosally speaks at a ceremony honoring the 47 killed in the explosion.
Capt Moosally presents an award to an Iowa crewmember for his distinctive service during the disaster.
CBS News 60 Minutes reporter Mike Wallace who investigated and reported on Milligan's flawed investigation
Admiral Frank Kelso, who as Chief of Naval Operations apologized to Hartwig's family.
Frank Kelso speaks to reporters at the Pentagon on October 17, 1991 announcing the clearing of Hartwig in the explosion and that the cause could not be determined
Families of the victims attend a ceremony on Iowa one year after the accident.
Admiral Jerome Johnson is interviewed by reporters on October 26, 1990 as Iowa is decommissioned.
A family member mourns at the Iowa explosion memorial in Norfolk in 1994