The 1897 annual describes Iowa as a modified Indiana type with an estimated displacement of 11,300 tons and a speed of 16 knots. Its waterline belt was longer but thinner, decreasing from 18 inches to 14 inches, while the auxiliary armament received better protection. Four 12-inch guns occupied paired turrets forward and aft, supported by eight 8-inch guns in four paired turrets. Smaller quick-firing weapons and torpedo tubes completed the mixed armament. Twin propellers were driven by vertical triple-expansion engines. The design distributed protection and weapons across several different batteries.
Notable Point · 3:20:46-3:22:18
USS Iowa's protection and mixed battery in 1897
An 1897 description of Iowa explains the balance between armour coverage, mixed gun batteries, and machinery.