Battleship Iowa to sail under Golden Gate on way to new home in L.A.

The historic battleship Iowa is slated to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday during its final voyage from the Bay Area, heading to its future home at the Port of Los Angeles.

The 14-story, 800-foot-long ship that saw action during World War II, the Korean War and through the 1980s, is scheduled to depart the Port of Richmond at about 11 a.m. if the weather cooperates.

The ship was built in 1940 and designated the “world's greatest naval ship” because of its big guns, heavy armor, speed and then-high-tech features. It has been under restoration by the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center and is to be transformed into an interactive naval museum once it arrives in Southern California.

PHOTOS: Battleship Iowa's final journey

It is scheduled to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge at 3 p.m. Saturday, and a crowd of spectators is expected to gather along the waterfront to witness its passing under the historic span. Coincidentally, the bridge will mark its 75th anniversary Sunday with a fireworks spectacular and waterfront festival.

Viewers may follow the Iowa's journey down the coast via a live webcast.

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-- Esmeralda Bermudez

Photo: A laborer rolls a coat of paint on one of the guns of the battleship Iowa on May 11. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times