USS Alabama: Fearsome Battleship to Historical Monument

August 2nd, 2025

7 minute read

Back in 1977, the world was introduced to the Death Star, an armored spacefaring battle station with the capacity to destroy entire planets with a single blast. It was the embodiment of overwhelming power projection in the Star Wars universe. The Death Star simply had a presence.

Black and white photo showing the USS Alabama (BB-60) underway as part of Task Force 58.2 in the Pacific, circa 1943 or 1944. The image is taken from the deck of the USS Essex (CV-9), with the battleship’s distinctive superstructure, three main gun turrets, and heavy anti-aircraft armament clearly visible. Other warships from the task force can be seen in the distance. The sea is relatively calm, and a wake trails behind the Alabama as she steams ahead. The overcast sky gives the photo a subdued wartime atmosphere. This image highlights the scale and power of the South Dakota-class battleship as it operated during World War II. The scene is a classic example of U.S. Navy task force movement in the Pacific. — The USS *Alabama* (BB-60) shown underway with Task Force 58.2 circa 1943-44. Photo taken from the USS *Essex* (CV-9). Image: U.S. Navy

And so it is as you approach Mobile, Alabama, via Interstate 10 along the coast of the newly christened Gulf of America. You see this thing from miles away, moored majestically within Mobile Bay. That thing is the battleship USS Alabama, and it just dominates the landscape. It’s a manmade edifice that seems too large and too imposing to have been an actual human contrivance. The Alabama seems viscerally more akin to some kind of enormous floating steel mountain. This thing is just huge.

Black and white photo taken from the bow of USS Alabama (BB-60) during a snowstorm on her shakedown cruise in January 1943. The camera looks aft along the ship’s deck, with three 16-inch main gun turrets visible, all pointing toward the rear. Snow has accumulated heavily on the deck and turret roofs, creating a stark contrast against the dark metal of the ship. The harsh weather obscures some details, adding to the sense of cold and adversity. The main battery’s sheer size dominates the foreground, emphasizing the ship’s firepower even in adverse conditions. Snowfall reduces visibility, making the image feel both harsh and quiet. This scene illustrates the challenges faced by the crew as the battleship was tested in winter conditions. — USS *Alabama*’s massive main guns dominate the icy deck in a wartime snowstorm. This image was captured during the ship’s first operational test at sea. Image: U.S. Navy

The Alabama also absolutely bristles with guns. Nine 16-inch guns arranged in three heavily-armored turrets dominate the deck space. Twenty 5-inch guns mounted in ten twin turrets along with half a dozen quad 40mm Bofors cannon and thirty-five free-standing 20mm Oerlikons adorned the superstructure when first she went to war. These were increased to twelve quad 40mm mounts and thirty-five 20mm weapons by war’s end. The 20mm and 40mm weapons were used primarily for antiaircraft defense. The five-inch guns could be directed toward either ground or air targets.

Color or black and white photo showing the 16-inch guns of the USS Alabama (BB-60) firing during a live-fire exercise or combat operation. The image captures the moment the guns discharge, with massive bursts of flame and thick smoke erupting from the barrels. The shockwave distorts the air around the muzzle, while the recoil pushes the gun barrels slightly backward. Shell casings and debris can be seen on the deck below the turrets. The rest of the ship’s superstructure is partially visible, but the main focus is on the enormous firepower on display. This image demonstrates the destructive capability and dramatic visual impact of the battleship’s main battery. The scene highlights both the engineering and combat power of World War II-era naval artillery. — The USS *Alabama*’s 16-inch main guns unleash a broadside during a live-fire exercise. The sheer force of the blast is visible in the shockwave and smoke. Image: U.S. Navy

Those 16-inch guns would throw a high explosive shell that weighs as much as a Ford Fiesta twenty-three miles and drop it within a 150-yard circle. A single round would produce a crater 50 feet wide and 20 feet deep. In Vietnam, one round was adequate to create a helicopter landing zone in thick jungle. If this beast steamed up to your shoreline, you were just freaking doomed.

Details

The Alabama is 680 feet long — more than two football fields’ worth of armored American butt-whooping. She is 108 feet wide at her broadest point and sports a 35-foot draft when fully loaded. When outfitted for war, the Alabama weighed 44,519 tons. Despite such a breathtaking displacement, however, the big ship was a veritable track star in her prime.

Color photo taken at the USS Alabama Memorial Park showing the battleship docked along the waterfront. The image highlights the enormous size of the ship, with the hull stretching far into the distance and towering above visitors on the walkway below. The ship’s gray steel plating, tall superstructure, and numerous gun turrets dominate the frame. People on the pier appear tiny in comparison, emphasizing the ship’s scale. Flags may be flying along the deck, and informational signs or displays can be seen nearby. The sky is bright and clear, adding to the dramatic effect. This scene gives a real sense of the Alabama’s massive presence as a preserved World War II warship and historical landmark. — The immense length and height of the battleship USS *Alabama* are clear from this vantage point. The ship’s size makes a powerful first impression.

Powered by four massive 130,000-hp General Electric steam turbines, the Alabama could sprint at 27.5 knots. That’s about 32 miles per hour. This massive armored monster that weighs more than your entire neighborhood could actually exceed the speed limit for most suburban streets. Cruising at fifteen knots or 17 mph, the Alabama could travel 15,000 miles on a single tank of gas. Like the Death Star, the Alabama was purpose-designed to project irresistible, relentless power.

Photo of USS Alabama’s main gun turrets, featuring a total of nine 16-inch rifled cannons arranged in three triple turrets. The shot focuses on the forward section of the battleship, with the gun barrels pointing out to sea or raised at various angles. The steel turrets are heavily armored, with mechanical details and access hatches visible on their surfaces. The scale of the guns is emphasized by comparing them to the surrounding deck fittings, railings, and any crew members present. The sky is clear, highlighting the powerful silhouette of the ship’s primary weapons. This image illustrates the main offensive capability of the South Dakota-class battleship. The scene underscores the historical significance and engineering of these naval guns. — The massive gun turrets on USS *Alabama* house three 16-inch cannons each. This firepower gave the battleship its fearsome reputation.

While all those guns were admittedly impressive, the Alabama was designed to take as well as she gave. The ship’s primary armored belt was comprised of more than a foot of hardened steel. The deck featured six inches of steel plating. The main turret faces were 18 inches thick, while the conning tower sported 16-inch armored casemates.

Origin Story and Operational History

There has never been a manufacturing powerhouse to compare to the United States during World War II. We really got tooled up building capital ships in 1940. We ceased production of these hulking behemoths by D-Day in 1944, with the realization that the war was all but won. Overall, we fielded a breathtaking 105 aircraft carriers alongside a total of 25 battleships during that brief period.

USS Alabama is shown here anchored in Casco Bay, Maine. Casco Bay served as a training and outfitting area for the then-new warship. Image: U.S. Navy

Norfolk shipbuilders first laid the keel for the Alabama on 1 February 1940. She earned her commission six months later and hit the seas for her shakedown cruise a short three months after that. Her first operational deployment was in defense of Atlantic convoys to the Soviet Union. On 25 August 1943, the Alabama transited the Panama Canal, intending to take the fight to the Japanese. This massive battlewagon spent the rest of the war pounding Axis targets as part of MacArthur’s island-hopping campaign.

Color or black and white photo of a 2,600-pound 16-inch naval projectile, like those fired from the USS Alabama’s main battery. The shell is displayed upright, likely outdoors at the battleship memorial, with informational signage or a plaque nearby. The projectile’s steel casing is painted, possibly marked with identification or technical data. The background includes parts of the battleship’s hull or deck, helping provide context for the shell’s enormous size. Visitors or staff may be present to give a sense of scale, showing just how large each round really is. This image demonstrates the kind of ammunition used to deliver high-velocity, long-range firepower in World War II. The photo helps connect technical details with real-world hardware. — These 2,600-pound, 16″ projectiles aboard the USS *Alabama* left the muzzle at a blistering 2,300 feet per second.

The Alabama fought through all of the major campaigns of the Pacific War, ending the conflict in Tokyo Bay. Along the way, she shot down 22 enemy aircraft and fired 1,252 massive 16-inch rounds at Japanese shore targets. Throughout the war, the Alabama did not suffer any significant damage due to enemy action. However, there was one unfortunate accident wherein a 5-inch gun discharged and struck another 5-inch gun fitting during an enemy attack.

Image of the USS Alabama’s deck showing several of her ten twin 5-inch gun turrets arranged along the sides of the ship. The photo captures the clean lines and sturdy construction of the mounts, with the barrels pointed outward or at varying angles for training. Background details include other weapons, superstructure elements, and possibly the ocean or dock if taken at the memorial. Visitors may be present for scale, but the focus is on the turrets themselves. The lighting highlights the texture and size of the gun mounts. This photo provides context for how these weapons were positioned for all-around defense. It’s a clear demonstration of the Alabama’s layered firepower. — The Alabama carried twenty 5-inch guns in ten twin turrets.

The one thing that came closest to doing this massive battlewagon in was Typhoon Cobra on 17 December 1944. This violent tropical cyclone smashed into the battle group to which the Alabama was assigned with fury unimaginable, sinking three destroyers and causing the big ship to roll as much as thirty degrees. I can only imagine how much fun that was. Despite wrecking the battleship’s two Kingfisher patrol planes, there was no other lasting damage.

The Alabama Experience

Today, the USS Alabama is on display alongside the WWII-vintage submarine USS Drum as well as dozens of armored vehicles and vintage combat aircraft. The collection includes a B-52 Stratofortress as well as the CIA’s A12 version of the SR-71 Blackbird. Tragically, I have actually flown three of the aircraft in the museum. Yeah, that makes me feel pretty darn old.

Photo showing a close-up of a twin mount 40mm Bofors antiaircraft gun installed on the deck of USS Alabama. The two gun barrels are positioned side by side within an open, armored mounting, with control wheels, gun sights, and protective shields visible. The mount is placed near the edge of the deck, with the ship’s railing, ocean, or other equipment in the background. Ammunition boxes or belt feeds can be seen nearby, indicating readiness for sustained firing. The structure is painted naval gray, consistent with World War II-era warships. Crew seating and operating controls are detailed, though no personnel are present in the shot. This image highlights the key role of the 40mm Bofors in defending the battleship from attacking aircraft. The scene is informative for understanding the ship’s layered air defense system. — Twin mount 40mm Bofors guns were used for antiaircraft defense.

The battleship is unimaginably huge. There are three self-guided tours that take you everywhere within the enormous vessel. You have to be a bit of a contortionist to get into the main gun turrets, but the scale of the thing makes it all worthwhile.

The Alabama had a surgical suite, berthing space for 2,500 sailors and Marines, a post office, a cobbler shop, a ship’s store, a massive machine shop, extensive mess and laundry facilities, and everything else you might need to support a small floating city. You get to see the Combat Information Center, the armored bridge, the weapons maintenance facilities, and the main gun ammunition magazines. Everything is pretty user-friendly so long as you are fit and mobile.

Ruminations

I came away from this experience in awe. Like supercarriers in the Information Age, battleships like the Alabama were prestige weapons. Very few countries could afford to build and support them. Of those that could, not all of them possessed the technical capability to do so. That we fielded twenty-five of these armored monsters just boggles the mind.

Photo showing a single Oerlikon 20mm antiaircraft cannon mounted on the deck or superstructure of USS Alabama. The weapon features a slim barrel, open breech, and distinctive drum magazine mounted on top. Hand grips, aiming sights, and a shoulder stock are visible, emphasizing the gun’s design for rapid, direct fire. The mount is exposed, allowing for a wide range of motion to track fast-moving targets. Background details include metal railings, deck plating, and possibly the sea or other superstructure elements. No crew is present, keeping the focus on the gun itself. The image highlights the Alabama’s extensive use of these small, fast-firing weapons for close-in air defense. This scene illustrates the practical layout and technical features of World War II naval antiaircraft guns. — The *Alabama* was veritably festooned with these Oerlikon 20mm fast-firing, open-bolt 20mm cannons.

The ship’s interior would have been unimaginably hot while underway, particularly in the tropics. Every sailor would have had a small part to play in the effective operation of this leviathan war machine. However, like tanks, it would have been a truly horrible place to die. Despite its size, the inside of the ship leaves one feeling undeniably claustrophobic. Though battleship-versus-battleship combat was vanishingly rare during WWII, when it did happen, it was pretty awful.

Close-up photo of the armored hatch leading into the USS Alabama’s bridge, highlighting the heavy construction and thickness of the steel door. The hatch is secured with robust hinges, locking mechanisms, and possibly a watertight seal. The surrounding bulkhead is also made of thick, reinforced armor plating, with visible rivets and welds. Lighting may show the texture and color of the steel, which is painted gray to match the rest of the ship. Any placards, warning signs, or operational instructions are visible nearby. The photo emphasizes the protection provided to the bridge and command personnel during ship-to-ship combat. This view helps illustrate the battleship’s focus on survivability and armored defense. — USS *Alabama*’s heavily armored bridge was designed to survive direct hits. The solid hatch demonstrates the level of protection built into the battleship.

Curiously, the battleship is used for lots of stuff these days. When we were visiting recently, there was a sprawling vintage car show on the grounds. Additionally, the Alabama regularly plays host to Boy Scout sleepovers. I have some friends who have done this. After hours, the scouts are free to roam the bowels of the ship and explore. I cannot imagine how cool that would be for a teenage boy. It’s a freaking battleship. It’s not like they could really tear it up.

Color photo showing the author standing on the open deck of the USS Alabama, docked at her memorial park in Mobile, Alabama. The author is in casual clothing, possibly wearing a hat or sunglasses, with the battleship’s superstructure, gun turrets, or deck equipment visible in the background. The weather appears clear and sunny, with blue sky and bright light reflecting off the ship’s steel surfaces. Other visitors may be present at a distance, but the author is the main focus of the shot. Details such as railings, hatches, or museum signage add context to the historic setting. This image highlights the opportunity for guests to physically explore the restored World War II battleship. The scene helps personalize the visitor experience aboard the Alabama. — Visiting the USS *Alabama* in Mobile, the author pauses for a photo on the deck. The experience highlights just how impressive the battleship is up close.

It takes about half a day to do the battleship park. Double that if you really want to linger over the details. However, Mobile, Alabama, is on the way to a lot of places. It’s a great place to stop and stretch your legs. Exploring the USS Alabama will remind you of exactly what made America the master of the seas.

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Will Dabbs, MD

Will was raised in the Mississippi Delta and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After eight years flying Army helicopters, he left the military as a Major to attend medical school. Will operates an Urgent Care clinic in his small Southern town and works as the plant physician for the local Winchester ammunition plant. He is married to his high school sweetheart, has three adult children, and has written for the gun press for a quarter century.

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