Launching
Iowa was launched on 28 March 1896, sponsored by the daughter of the Governor of Iowa named Miss Mary Lord Drake. Ms. Drake commissioned the vessel on 16 June 1897, with Captain William T. Sampson in command. Iowa was known as "Battleship No. 4" during her lifespan and called BB-4 after the hull classification symbol system became standard in 1921.
Read more about this topic: USS Iowa (BB-4)