The Guns & Armaments of the USS Alabama | History Traveler Episode 167
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
During WWII, America was humming as the country's manufacturing might was focused in on the war effort. One of the marvels of manufacturing during that time can seen in the construction of naval ships like the USS Alabama. In this episode, we're headed to Mobile, Alabama to explore the guns and armaments of a battleship that saw service in both the Atlantic and the Pacific and participated in some of the most iconic battles of the war. Much to learn on this one!
To learn more about the USS Alabama visit their website at www.ussalabama.org and their TH-cam page at / @ussalabama60
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All drone footage shot by a part 107 licensed pilot.
My dad served aboard the Alabama, initially in one of the 5inch magazines, and for most of his tour, as the ship's Aerographers Mate (weather man). Amazingly, I was able to climb up to his cabin at the top of the superstructure, and see for myself the small space he called home for 3 years. I've been aboard the Massachusetts as well as the Alabama, and the experience is like night and day; the Massachusetts had been in mothballs, and thus had been stripped of much of its equipment and gear - esp. on the command deck. Alabama, by comparison, went straight to a museum after its decommissioning, meaning that everything is pretty much like it was when the men disembarked for the last time. My dad's binoculars and file cabinet were still in his cabin!
Didn't know that about the Mass. it looks better in photos than the Alabama, I have saw the Alabama before.
Actually, all four SoDaks were put in mothballs at the same time, and maintained in mothballs until they were permanently retired (stricken from the registry) in 1962. Campaigns to save them both kicked off around the same time in their namesake states. I believe the one to save the Massachusetts kicked off soon after the campaign to save the Alabama. The reason Massachusetts is missing so much equipment is because the campaign in Massachusetts initially did not go as well as the one in Alabama. It appeared that the state wouldn’t raise the money, so the navy decided to go ahead and start stripping it to prepare it for the scrappers. It wasn’t until 1965 that the navy finally transferred her to the state of Massachusetts after the funds were raised. By then she had already been stripped of a lot of equipment. The campaign to save the Alabama, on the other hand, went far more successfully. There was massive press coverage, major campaign funds, and state public educational TV network aired a special on the Alabama (Alabama was the first state to have its own public educational television network). The head of that network was actually one of the people appointed by the governor to raise funds and work on the campaign. The people tasked with leading fundraising efforts were hand picked by the Governor, and ranged from veterans, politicians, influential local businessmen, and more. One of the big keys to the campaigns success was when the head of one of the major local insurance companies vowed that his company would help pay the money needed to save her. An entire committee was created just to study how to preserve a battleship, and its members were sent to both the USS Texas and the USS North Carolina to learn how those ships were preserved and incorporate those ideas into the planned park. Once the committee determined that it would be perfectly feasible for the state to raise the money and preserve the ship, the governor created the 18-member USS Alabama Battleship Commission in November 1963 to oversee the construction of the park and run it. Like the fundraisers and previous committee, it was composed of a variety of people hand picked by the Governor himself, a number of which were part of the previous committee. Finally, the involvement of that insurance company, combined with local corporations giving significant donations, ensured Alabama’s preservation, and on June 16 1964 the handover to the state was made official, with a ceremony held on July 7. In a little over two months, Alabama was in Mobile on September 12 of that year, and after a few months of preparation, she was opened to the public on January 9, 1965, while Massachusetts was still in mothballs being stripped. It wasn’t until June 8, 1965 that Massachusetts was finally able to get her namesake battleship from the navy, by which point Alabama was already in Mobile open to the public. I know a lot about the efforts to save the Alabama because I interviewed a number of people that worked to save her, and my grandfather actually worked for the insurance company that partially funded the efforts to save her. I think he really took pride in helping to save the Alabama, because he took me to see her whenever he could, and he always talked about her. He loved that ship.
I am proud to say that two sailors from my small town of Oberlin, La served on the Alabama during WW2. Clarence Courville and L.C.Vizena.
Outstanding. Just fabulous. I live in Tucson, AZ but toured the Alabama with my wife and a WWII veteran uncle when we were in Mobile for a family wedding. Also a WWII Gato class sub moored nearby. Great history. My uncle served on a destroyer at Guadalcanal and throughout the Pacific campaign. Treat of my life to tour the Alabama with him and learn "topside" "bulkhead" and other Navy lingo and hear his stories. Sadly he just recently died at 102 years of age - tough old dude!. Great stuff Mr. History Traveler.
Fantastic video mate.
I'm ex-Royal Navy and it reminded me of when we were alongside Wilmington and I popped onboard the USS North Carolina. Different class of ship but very similar. The magazine feeding compartment below it's 9 x 16" guns were huge.
It made our RN Type 23 Frigate HMS Marlborough look small and weak.
I've the utmost respect for our Allied sailors, American British Auatrailian Canadian etc who saw action in all the theaters, especially the Artic Convoys and the ferocious fighting against the Japanese in the Pacific.
During exercises off the South English coast, we would all be closed up at Action Stations.
My action station was the forward end of the ship on 2 deck ( deck below the waterline) just below the Vickers 4.5" gun. We would be drilled/tested to see how quick we could pass up and load the 4.5" gun manually from the magazine to the chamber of the 4.5" gun lifting the shells up through the decks.
It was character building work, we all, myself included had a part in moving the shells repeatedly.
No where near the size of 16" shells but I've an appreciation of what it must have been like for the sailors in the magazines and turrets.
I look forward to more of your videos.
Keep up the great work.🇬🇧🇺🇲⚓⚓⚓
To be fair battleships would make almost all ships except aircraft carriers look small and weak.
My grandfather was a Marine stationed on the USS ALABAMA. I took a tour some years ago and saw pictures of him in the Marine section. Very well maintained ship. I would recommend this stop to everyone.
Thanks so much for doing this. My grandfather served on the Alabama in WW2. When I was a kid I used to constantly ask him about it and it never occurred to me that he probably didn't want to talk about it but he endulged my childhood curiosity. I like to think it was therapeutic for him because as time went on he actually seemed to enjoy telling me about the war. He died in 2003 and it's one of my fondest memories.
Also worth noting, as you pointed out, baseball hall of famer Bob Feller served on the Alabama and my uncle has an autographed baseball that Bob gave my grandfather when they served together.
Oh wow! That is amazing!
@@TheHistoryUnderground thank you... Not sure if you've been there but check out Cedar Creek battlefield some day. Very interesting battle
wow!👍🏻
Very favorable mention goes to "Chip", badge # 10. I was very impressed by his explanations and speech on each item of interest. He was wearing a khaki Navy chief's hat with the foul anchor insignia, and I don't think I would be too far off guessing that he is a retired Navy Chief, serving as a tour guide. His military trimmed moustache and his ever present pipe, really added 'flavor' to his presentations. I really liked his explanation of the analog computer set ups to calculate the direction of fire of the big guns. Pretty cool older guy. Thank you for your service sir.
Sweet home USS Alabama. Cool episode, JD.
Thanks! Had a blast there.
the men that worked these guns, elevators, hoists,charges, 2700lb round!!... they were a well oiled lean mean fightin machine!👍🏻👍🏻
im in complete awe of these men and their sacrifices🙏🇺🇸
I wish I would have had a teacher like you when I was in school!! I’ve been watching you for about a year and I always walk away better than I came. When my kids have a history lesson that involves the civil war or WW2, I look up one of your vids and have them watch it. You’re awesome dude!👍
I did have a history teacher like this, was an avid Civil War reenactment soldier. Unfortunately, I did not truly realize at the time.
I loved this video. We went to see the Alabama about 5 years ago. I remember standing out beside her thinking it doesn't look big enough to hold 2500 sailors. Then we went on board to walk and walk and walk until we were so sore we could not walk anymore. And we still couldn't see it all. The Dakota class ships are truly amazing. I think those in charge of design and manufacture spent a lot of time listening to the grunts in the deepest holes of previous ships and incorporated their ideas to make the manual jobs on the boat easier and faster to accomplish. A good lesson for current American Industry. Thanks so much. It was great to visit again. I'm going to be in better shape next time. haha.
As someone who lives close to the USS Alabama. I really appreciate the commentary on our namesake ship appreciate it man.
Growing up in Alabama, this was my favorite place to go. Best field trips ever.
I WAS LUCKY ENOUGHT IN 1988 AS A KID TO GET TO GO TO THE SHIP ON A RAINY WEEKDAY AND HAD THE ENTIRE SHIP ALONG WITH MY BROTHER AND WE EXPLORED ALL DAY. SO AWESOME!!
My dad was a Marine in the 2nd Marine Division. He never talked to me about what he did in WW2 other than he was a 40mm Bofors gun repairman (I think on land and some smaller ships). I finally got him say he was also at Tarawa. Typical of WW2 veterans he never wanted to talk about anything about his experiences during that time. I do have several hundred letters he wrote to his mom and dad. But he was not allowed to write much about the area he was in so it was mostly personal stuff. He did mention he loved R&R in New Zealand.
Super cool. Another thing I find fascinating is all those guns, hoists, magazines, feed chutes, everything was designed on paper. No computer design, no 3D models. Its mind boggling they got it all made and working from paper blueprints. Just amazing engineering. Its like looking at a lost art form - back when America knew how to make things. Awesome vid, love it.
Pretty amazing.
When i went to visit that ship they was having a military funeral for I believe one of the men that was one that ship in those days. Which i started off at the bottom of the ramp waiting outta respect, and one navy guys motioned for me to board the ship, which i quickly advised him I was an Army Veteran and he had me line up with several other older Veterans for a final salute which was a very proud moment in my life. I never knew the guy but they paved the way for us, he earned my respect before I was born. There was Navy, Marines an Army guys all over the ship that day. With the start of the visit like that, it really hit my heart touring this ship. Made it all a little more real ya know. I got a load of pictures on here and on the submarine that's there. That's another epic experience. I strongly recommend everyone go here an take a bite of history, you won't be disappointed.
Welcome to my home town. Worked on the Alabama in the early 90’s
I commanded the Mighty A for a bit. Well, I sat in the captains chair on the bridge for a pic. Very cool exhibit. Much respect for those who fought for our liberty on the Alabama.❤ And much respect for the people who built this beast. Incredible. And now, our fearless leader Brandon, gives our best weapons to our enemies. Those who served in WW2 must be spinning in their graves. My uncle died on the Arizona that Sunday morning of infamy. My aunt never got over it. God bless that greatest generation. The price they paid is incalculable. Another uncle was on the red ball express. Another built the Enola Gay. Another at the battle of the bulge. Thank you for our freedom. 🙏
The greatest generation certainly would have little love for trumptards.
USS Alabama is a great place to visit! Now you need to come see the USS Texas which is the only battleship left from WWI.
The Texas is being restored and is not in her long time berth
@@sassytbc7923 yep. But she should be back open around 2023
Definitely on the list.
My father in law was on the sister ship ( the USS South Dakota ) during WWII. His job was in the second forward 16 “ turret loading the powder bags into the big guns .
those men were so polished, and great at their jobs
Thank you so much! I grew up around these big boats. I’m a proud Navy Brat. My Dad was a Sonar Tech and retired from the Navy after serving for 30yrs. Most of his time was on a Destroyer( lol affectionately called a Tin Can).I worry that without videos like yours, some will not appreciate what brave Americans did to protect our freedom. I’m very proud of my Dad and all the ones that served! Thank you!
Love that Chip is wearing the old school dungarees. Those were so comfortable!
Don't forget the pipe! :)
@@TheHistoryUnderground So glad you mentioned that the USS Alabama has a TH-cam channel! I’ve checked it out and I’m loving that they’ve got videos of veterans that served on that ship during the war telling stories about their experiences. Just finished the video about the ice cream maker mishap-told by Chip and his pipe 😂
My dad was a Navy man, veteran of the South Pacific World War ii. Here in town in Seattle he was the man. Anytime a Navy ship came into town we had carte blanche to go anywhere on that ship at any time. I've been on battleships, destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines, Coast Guard light ships and even PT boats! When my father passed away we took his remains to the Polar Star which is an icebreaker and they buried him at sea off Hawaii where he was born. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my dad! Thank you so much for this episode thank you!
I am so glad you were able to talk to Chip. He is amazing!
JD, You should visit Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA. The USS Massachusetts, Alabama's sister ship, is located there with the USS Joseph P Kennedy, a WW II submarine, a German Corvette, a Patrol Gunboat from Vietnam, and the National PT Boat Museum. Another great place not far from Providence, RI off Interstate 190.
I would love that.
The thing that always amazes me about USS Alabama when I visit it, is how big that boat actually is then how cramped it can get it there
Agreed.
I read somewhere that the crew size increased by up to 1,000 men during the war to man the extra 100 or more smaller AA guns to counter the kamikaze threat late in the war. Most of the spaces were not airconditioned, mainly electronics spaces (radar), the radio room and a few others, so the cramping and heat in the enlisted berthing areas made them a misery to be endured. And the still older battleships of the WWI era and earlier were even smaller and worse. It would be miserable enough in the mid-latitudes, but most of the naval war in the Pacific took place in the tropics.
Honestly this is one of your better videos. Chief Chip is spot on his information. BB 60 is a great ship with a wonderful legacy. It's an honor she was preserved. Looks like she needs some deck maintenance, with some chipping and painting. Go Bama!
👊🏻
Go … Bama!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@stevencassel5680 Roll Tide!
THE USS ALABAMA is a memorable Experience I will never forget and I love Mobile Bay and the City the restaurants and stores
Cannot wait to go back
Love from Mississippi USA 🇺🇸
As a Mobile native, I've had the honor of camping onboard the USS Alabama twice; once for each of my sons who were Cub Scouts at the time. It is an annual tradition for area scouts to camp overnight onboard the ship. The forward berthing has been modified to accommodate these and other groups. There is certainly nothing like trying to sleep amid the yells of 100+ amped up scouts inside of a battleship, and their continual slamming of the hatch (door) every time they went through! Makes me wish that, for all those years, I wouldn't have made such a big deal about shutting the door.😕 But I wouldn't trade it for the world!😊
I still don't understand why you don't have several million subs. All of your vids are fantastic!
I totally agree. Teach always puts out A1 stuff.
I agree
People are starting to not care about our history if they did they wouldn’t be removing statues and things instead they would be using them to teach generations to come. You know what they say about not learning from the past…..
He'll get there, no doubt in my mind!
I'm guessing that it has something to do with my face, but thanks!
Thank you for the video. My grandpa served on the Alabama during world war 2.
Awesome!
Great video! Hope you are able to share more of the ship & submarine in later videos. I am from Mobile and help bring the Alabama there by donating dimes and quarters while in the 6th grade in 1964. Every student in the state that gave money, no matter the amount received one free admission to the ship that never expired. I used mine several times before misplacing it at some point in life. It was a statewide effort to fund the Alabama coming from Washington State through the Panama Canal to Mobile Bay. Great monument to our armed forces.
Oh wow. That is awesome. Thanks for sharing that.
Don’t let anyone destroy it. Preserve it for all generations of Americans
Thanks for including a stop in the engine room. I was on the USS Enterprise (CVN65) and spent 6 years "down in the hole" pushing neutrons and making steam. I felt right at home.
I was aboard the USS Alabama and USS Drum in 1972 and 1980. It was very interesting both times. JD, you are so right. The story of the how the ship was designed. The debates and compromises that had to be made to comply with a treaty that in reality had already died. Then you have the stories of how the ship was made. Hull. Guns. Boilers. Turbines.
Definitely a lot to learn there.
The USS Alabama is a South Dakota Class Battleship the South Dakota was scrapped after WW2. The USS Massachusetts is the sister ship of the Alabama which is part of a museum fleet moored on the Fall River near Boston. My father served on the USS Massachusetts from 1944-45 in the Pacific. He told me of a time when he visited the Alabama around the late 60's he was telling people about the areas of the ship and to his surprise he turned around he had a large group of people following him as if he were a tour guide. Being sister ships mean they are basically identical so my father felt at home on the USS Alabama. My wife who passed three years ago remembered when she was a child donated money (coins) to the school project of making the USS Alabama a museum.
Another great video. USS Alabama deserves her place in history. Just loved those big guns!
Such a GREAT video JD!!! You definitely have to get out to Hawaii and do a video on Pearl Harbor / the USS Arizona along with the USS Missouri. On a side note, on the USS Arizona was a family member of ours, Worth Ross Lightfoot, Gunners Mate 3rd Class. I’ve visited that memorial twice and it’s very humbling seeing his name on the wall of remembrance. Anyway, keep up the awesome work and can’t wait for the next video!!!
I was there in 1986. Amazing historical exhibition back then too. Still looks in great shape.
Can You imagine this ship going into full beast mode...
I like the way Chip looks directly into the camera which makes it looks like He's directly explaining it to the viewers.
What an amazing video...
USS Alabama is a BEAST!
Thank you so much for pronouncing my home town correctly!! Great video!! I love visiting that beautiful beast
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This era was the high point for pre-computer (digital as opposed to analogue) naval technological development. If it took 2000 steps to successfully operate a battleship at general quarters, then you put 2000 men on board and gave them each one little thing to do. Mission accomplished. When not in combat, however, you just can't let 2000 guys sit around. So, "work detail" chip, scrape and paint. Welcome to the navy.
Definitely gave me a greater appreciation for what those guys did.
Remember we were still using analog all the way into the mid 90's on the old Adams class destroyers 5" 54 cal. guns. The projectiles and powder were still loaded by hand and hoist.
Same with the peacetime army. I had four years of it and that was enough for me.
@@rexoates4484 I was in the Army for four years also from 67 to 71 including a year in Nam. I can remember thinking many times that the mission which took ten men could be performed perfectly by three guys who gave a shit. It took me about 18 months of frustration to accept the fact that all I could do was produce the best work product I could. I was incapable of and could not control anything else. After that it was peace of mind and counting the days.
"If it don't move, paint it!"
I actually got to visit the Alabama and Drum a week and a half ago, it was amazing to see two of many relics from WW2 up close and actually get on them.
Nice!
If I was a high school teacher I would start each day with one of your videos !!! I bet that would get everyone talking !!! Love your channel !!@
I’ve been on the Alabama 4 or 5 times. I get a chill every time I set foot on the deck. The men who fought and or died for the freedoms I enjoy is so humbling. Thank you is not enough.
Drove by this many times when I visit the south and never had the opportunity to visit. Thank you for making me super mad at myself for never making the time to do so! Haha. Great episode as always! 👍🏻
Ha! Thanks. Pretty cool place.
Next time you go by there stop take the tour it's awesome and you can go inside the submarine while you are there been there twice and I keep seeing new things every time if you get the chance climb up the look out post not sure if that's what it's called but it's fun you won't regret it
@@JohnSmith-ni7um Definitely making this happen next time I am in the area. Thanks! 👍🏻
My grandfather was a tin can sailor in the pacific 41 - 46. His first assignment was a WW1 era destroyer and then after that he served on fletcher class ships. He had three very memorable moments through his tour of duty. The first being recalled from the fleet to escort CVE’s to Alaska. His heart sank when he heard the Japanese had invaded the Aleutian Islands, the second was during the battle of Saipan. His ship was called up to shell the Japanese on the beachhead. They had to get so close to shore they almost beached the ship. He said you could hear the hull creak and groan from it scraping the bottom., the third was after they returned to San Francisco for repairs and got orders to escort a convoy to Tinian island middle of 1945
Your grandfather was one hell of a man. The stories of the exploits of destroyer sailors in WWII are some of the most heroic, and tragic, in the recorded history of warfare. God bless him and his shipmates.
I am live on the MS Gulf Coast, we visit the USS Alabama at least once a year. I am so glad you were able to make it down South and see this beautiful piece of history.
Loved it there!
Being from Bama, I can say with full confidence that the statement of "Shoot guns and break stuff," is a fitting description both the vessel and it's namesake. The USS Alabama was one of the most fun field trips in elementary school from B'ham.
While visiting 2010, I was able to hike up past the bridge which gave a great view of Mobile Bay. Also for Clevelanders, there is a wonderful kiosk display of the great Bob Feller. Awesome boat!
Thanks for sharing!
Used to have a autographed picture in the mess room.
Every time I’m in Mobile I make a trip to the uss Alabama I love it
And that they shot that gun every 5 seconds or less!!!! My mind is blown! I totally respect the Navy even more than I did before! And that’s A LOT already~
Crazy
I hope you see the USS Drum, too. I visited them both. Only if bulkheads could talk what a tale they would tell! I liked the tanks, aircraft displayed outside and all aircraft displayed in the hanger. Worth the six hour drive!
I agree. Plus more stuff there too.
Been to the Alabama 3 times in the last 40 years. Everytime I go the have more and more of the sjip opened up to be able to see. Plan on spending all day and then some.
Definitely a lot to see there.
The current USS Alabama is a sub. My greatNephew serves on her. I am very proud of him - they keep us. free.
Sweet Home Mobile, ALABAMA 🙌 Always loved going to the battleship growing up in Mobile! They rent out the deck for events and had our high school 10 year there and even had my Father’s Celebration of Life event after his passing on this ship. Great attraction for all you tourist out there 👌
The dad at 33:00 was nice enough to turn around and ask his daughters to lower their voices. Very nice of him. Great video by the way. I was on a battle ship when I went to the Yorktown in SC. They are incredible. They had an aircraft carrier, battle ship, and a submarine. It was epic
Great video! I remember visiting Patriot’s Point in SC and seeing the USS Yorktown, USS Laffey and the submarine USS Clamagore. The men that served on all those ships where so courageous!
Thanks!
Saw the last several Mobile bay centered videos and have been waiting on this one.
Awesome! Hope that it didn't disappoint.
@@TheHistoryUnderground they never do
The USS Alabama is a beautiful battleship. I have visited this battleship 4 times. My in laws lived in Mobile, so I had the opportunity to visit everything each time I visited them. They are no longer with us, but I still love Mobile.
Born in Mobile. We went there on Christmas Day of 2022 when it was about 15 degrees. Had a great time. They’ve recently had the deck redone and you can buy souvenir pieces of the old deck on their website. Pretty cool stuff. I got me and my dad a few pieces to keep. When he was young all the kids used to donate their milk money and stuff to try to bring the ship back to Mobile and preserve the history.
I grew up on this ship. I am from the Mobile area and loved going there as a child. I remember when the USS Drum was in the water instead of on land. I am a history teacher, so I get to take my students on field trips every year to Battleship Park. Thanks for doing this episode. I enjoy watching your channel.
When I was the 2nd grade in Alabama there was a drive in school to get donations to save the Alabama. I gave my Nickel and got a free pass to tour the ship.
The first thing my husband said was "can you imagine the noise down below during a battle ." I've been on the Battleship Texas so I know how hot it gets below deck. I do think this is one of your best videos...so far.
Thanks! I was afraid that people would hate me for how long it is.
That battleship is truly amazing. I have been there many times and it never gets old!! Thanks for the tour!
The Chief did a great job of giving the specs. on the guns.Very well done, Bravo for the chief.
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You’re not too far from Beauvoir in Biloxi Mississippi. Home of Jefferson Davis. Cool place to check out if you haven’t already.
Beautiful place!
On the list for a future visit.
This is brilliant. The design, build, training and teamwork is just wow.
I took my family to the park a couple years ago. Planes, tanks, trucks & even a sub. Very much worth while!
I’ve been on that ship and her sister ship the USS Massachusetts. You can see more on the Alabama. I was fortunate enough to spend the night on the Massachusetts on a Boy Scout trip back in the day. We slept in the same bunks as the heroes that served on her. Good times.
Went on a cruise ship from Alabama to Mexico, it was really cool, and I could see the battleship far from a distance. That was the first time I've ever seen a battleship with my own eyes
Pretty amazing structure.
I toured that ship 20 years ago along with the sub beside her. It was awesome and so is this video for mmbringing back those memories
Thanks. I think that you'll like the next video as well :)
Every video you share brings me to the WOW point. Like the heat in the turret must have gotten to even the best men.
Oh man. I can't even imagine.
I remember sleeping in the green bunks shown toward the end of the video. It was the mid 90’s for a soccer camp. I recall running around the ship late into the night(in kid time). We were going over and under any barrier we could squeeze past, and up to the highest towers possible. Good memories.
As a Swede i got to say im a little proud that they used a swedish designed AA-gun on those great battleships.
Most of the AA guns were bofors
'Bama is a great scrapper at all ranges in worldowarships and my absolute favourite BB.
Thanks for the great visits JD.
The condition of those wooden decks breaks my heart.
@MRGRUMPY53 The USS New Jersey is re-teaking her decks. You are right, big bucks. Part of the problem is who wants to holy stone the deck weekly?
@MRGRUMPY53 So do I. I am sure we would both like to meet Ryan as well as JD here.
It's a problem common to all the museum battleships; those decks got lots of love every single day when the ships were manned, and they are very labor intensive. With the array of simulated wood decking available from home building supply stores, I'm surprised none of the ships have had their wood replaced yet.
@MRGRUMPY53 What seems like a good idea at the time turns out to be a dumb one! You learn.
@MRGRUMPY53 Hi, MrGrumpy, thanks for the info. I was thinking about those new, lightweight materials being used to manufacture outdoor decks and boat dock decking. What do you think?
I play this ship in World of Warships because I had visited back in the 80's and loved the history. Wish the USS Washington had been spared as it has a great story to tell....just like the Alabama. The fire control computers they used back then are simply amazing.
The machinery going into these battleships is mind blowing
Being from Mobile, this is one of my favorite places to go. There is also the USS Drum submarine and some static aircraft display.
My father in law served on the Lucky A for the duration of its involvement in WW2. Had some amazing stories
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So here in-state, if you have kids in Boy Scouts, the dads get to spend the night on the ship with their kids. I have had four boys go through scouts and feels like i have slept on this ship 50 times. I find something new and intriguing each time. Very impressive ship, the USS Drum submarine is also super cool to tour and the air and land museum on property is very cool too. If you are anywhere near Mobile it is worth spending a day here.
I am fortunate to be within an hour drive of the battleship USS Massachusetts, which I have been to at least a half a dozen times. I even got to stay onboard overnight with my son when he was in scouts! We also got to see the USS Missouri out in Pearl Harbor. It is amazing to see what went into the operation of these ships, and the technology of the day. Another great video!
Totally amazing what went on behind the scenes of Navy ships during the war! I have never thought of this perspective before. Thanks for opening our eyes, JD.
I had the pleasure back in the early 90's to spend the night aboard the ship a few times with my boy scout troop. It was an amazing experience ill never forget. Talk about the ultimate game of hide and go seek!!! Wish I could do it again.
I remember going there, on vacation, as kid. The last time we where there, the USS Drum, was still in the water, and I believe we was able to tour it too.
Several years ago our family spent an entire day going all over this beautiful ship. A very enjoyable day and a wonderful museum.
Outstanding! Thank you for another great episode 🍺🍺🇺🇸👍
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Great video! I can’t imagine working the guns in the South Pacific in tight quarters with the ship pitching and rolling. Much respect for the Greatest Generation who served.
So cool to see you visit something I’ve been on so many times and still learn things I didn’t know. Thank you sir.
I am very impressed with the technology and system in place that made this ship so formidable. Well done.
Pretty amazing structure.
This ship is in remarkable condition. She looks new. The food is great too in Mobile. She was repainted dark blue when I paid her a visit
My family and I have been all through the U.S.S.Alabama.What a day and what an experience! So worth the trip to experience real history! Glad you enjoyed it! We sure did!
Quite the place.
I feel like every historical place or museum in the states I go to, I wind up finding a video that you have already done, and then learn more about that place on said video than seeing it in person. Well done as usual, you live a blessed life!
👊🏻
I’ve been wanting to tour the USS Alabama since I was a kid moving around the country. I was fortunate enough to do some K9 training on the USS Wisconsin a few years ago and it made me want to tour the USS Alabama even more.
Oh wow. That would be cool.
1. The USS Alabama was one of ships that guided the USS Missouri into Tokyo Bay for signing of the instrument of surrender.
2. Also one of the coolest pieces of history on the Alabama is a tiny piece of metal that happens to be plane debris from a kamikaze strike. Can’t remember if it was a strike on the Alabama or another allied ship but the artifact is on the Alabama.
3. “Under Siege” was filmed aboard the Alabama.
It was from an attack on the Alabama. It’s been a while, but it was one of the things that came up when I had to research the wartime history of the Alabama for a job (I’m a historian). From what I recall, a Kamikaze tried to hit her, but the anti-aircraft guns shot the plane up and the pilot lost control before he could angle the plane to hit the ship, so instead it passed harmlessly over the deck and crashed into the water. That little piece was part of the debris that rained on the ship as the plane plummeted into the water. If I recall correctly, it bonked a sailor on the leg as it passed, and he picked it up and decided to keep it as a souvenir. It was later donated to the USS Alabama, where it remains today.
@@megalodon7916 so funny you commented. I was at an aviation museum last week and they had a replica of the USS Birmingham and some additional
Information. The kamikaze plane piece was from a hit on the deck of the USS Birmingham and was later donated to the Mighty A.
@@sambierster9019 Oh, you mean that piece. That’s just one of the Kamikaze plane fragments displayed on the ship. There are others in the museum’s collection. I was referring to a piece now on display near the entrance to the tour. I think it’s a more recent display. Don’t know when it was donated. I believe they also now have a piece of a kamikaze that hit the USS Evans on display. I know they have a piece of parachute from the remains of the pilot. I was there recently, they’ve been updating a lot of exhibits and moving stuff around. The diving exhibit has a hologram sailor now. It was amazing to see the work done lately. Turret Three was recently restored along with one of her 5-inch guns. I know the lights on the controls in the five-inch turret were working again when I saw them.
@@megalodon7916 oh super cool. I haven’t been back in a few years but absolutely love it.
Had a chance to see this. My dad lived just south of there. When he told me about it I said hell yes! Let's go. His response, "I've already seen it. Not interested." He was wealthy and stingy and didn't want to pay the admission fee again. What a guy.
Ha!
Another great video! Love seeing these big battleships.
Pretty amazing structures.
You'll love that area if you get to go and visit, especially if you love seafood, because there are great seafood restaurants all over the place, both sides of Mobile Bay. A little internet research, reading some reviews, and you can't go wrong. Pensacola is an hour east and the Mississippi casinos about that far to the west. Yee Haa!
Such impressive engineering
@@TheHistoryUnderground In 1966 I lived in a town across the bay , my family and I went on the Alabama before all the safety bars were in place . I remember climbing almost to the top of the ship, getting inside the gun turret Now you can't do that , everything is so safe it cuts out the sense of adventure.