On April 19, 1989 at 9:55 AM local time, the center gun on USS Iowa‘s Turret II suffered an open breech explosion (technically a deflagration). 47 sailors working within the turret perished.
Vice President and Chief Information Officer David Canfield was a nineteen-year-old 3rd class engineman serving aboard Iowa that day. In this episode we talk about his experiences then, his ongoing healing process, and how he has learned that both his story and Iowa‘s reach far beyond one horrible day.
For more information on the Turret II tragedy, please refer to the following videos:
- We Remember Turret II – a video that debunks several of the persistent false rumors about the tragedy
- Turret II Lecture – an in-depth look at the technical investigations into the incident
Limited time only beginning on September 5, 2026!
Kids Board Free
In the all-new Life of a Sailor experience, kids become sailor recruits, building their skills, following the story of a famous sailor, and joining Vicky the Dog on a scavenger hunt through Battleship IOWA.
Kids board free with a paid adult.