The USS Iowa disaster | 34 years later

On the morning of April 19, 1989 — 34 years ago today — a horrific explosion and fire ripped through the No. 2 gun turret of the Norfolk-based battleship USS Iowa.

The turret erupted in flames during what was to have been a routine test-firing of the ship's guns shortly before 10 a.m., about 340 miles northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Forty-seven men died.

The accident was one of the worst peacetime tragedies to befall a U.S. Navy ship.

The Iowa returned to Norfolk on April 23, 1989. On April 24, a somber President George H.W. Bush came to Norfolk to share the grief of the Iowa’s crew and to comfort the families of their fallen comrades.

The president delivered a 12-minute speech during a memorial service in a hangar at Norfolk Naval Air Station. He and his wife, Barbara, then spent about 15 minutes consoling the families of the 47 who had died.

More than 4,800 people attended; among them, more than 180 relatives and friends of the victims.

“Your men are under a different command now, one that knows no rank, only love; knows no danger, only peace,” Bush said. “May God bless them all, these men behind the guns.”