Visit Battleship Memorial Park, America’s Most unique military attraction, an unforgettable adventure for the entire family.

Prepare your imagination for takeoff as you walk the flight line of our historic aircraft inside the huge Aircraft Pavilion. Experience life the way it was over seven decades ago on one of America’s most decorated Battleships.

ABOUT THE PARK

Displacing more than 44,500 tons, the USS ALABAMA measures 680 feet from stem to stern, half as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Armed with nine, 16-inch guns in three turrets and 20, 5-inch, .38caliber guns in 10 twin mounts, her main batteries could fire shells as heavy as a small car accurately for a distance of more than 20 miles.

Her steel side armor was a foot thick above the waterline, tapering to one half inch at the bottom. Her four propellers, each weighing more than 18 tons, could drive her through the seas at up to 28 knots, more than 32 miles per hour. Loaded with 7,000 tons of fuel oil, her range was about 15,000 nautical miles. The USS ALABAMA was built to fight.

The USS ALABAMA saw 37 months of active duty during World War II, earning nine Battle Stars. The “Mighty A” as she came to be known, safely carried her crew throughout the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean campaigns, and never suffered any casualties or significant damage due to enemy fire. After the war, she was mothballed on Puget Sound at Bremerton, Wash., in 1947.

VISITOR INFORMATION

• Senior Citizens and AAA member discounts available.
• Active Duty military free with military I.D.

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is open everyday except Christmas Day. From April through September the park is open from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm and October through March 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

GROUPS

Groups should allow 2 – 2 1/2 hours for the self-guided tour. Once onboard, the group can enter gun turrets, view crew’s quarters, sick bay, an engine room and much more. There are 12 decks open for touring. The main deck of the Battleship is handicapped accessible. The group will also enjoy watching a 15-minute film in the Uptake Theater featuring former WWII USS ALABAMA crewmen.

Catered meals are available for groups (minimum of 30 required). Meals may be served aboard the battleship in the Wardroom, on the Fantail, or in the Aircraft Pavilion. Prices vary according to menu choice. Two weeks advance notice is required (subject to availability).

USS ALABAMA CREWMATES

The program now in its 41st year, has offered more than 200 young ladies an opportunity to serve in this position, and also to receive scholarship funds to the college or university of their choice. The USS ALABAMA Crewmates have dedicated thousands of community service hours not only to Battleship Memorial Park, but also to Mobile County, Baldwin County, and the State of Alabama.

The contest, held each year, is based on an interview using information supplied by the contestants during the application process. A panel of judges not affiliated with Battleship Memorial Park conducts the interview. The new group of Crewmates is selected at the end of the interview process. The young ladies represent the Park for a one-year term. Each year, $7,500.00 in scholarship money is awarded to the young women selected as the new Crewmates. Young ladies must be between the ages of 19-21, reside in Mobile or Baldwin County and if chosen remain for the duration of their one year term.

SCOUT OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE

Thank you for your interest in the Scout Program at the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. We feel sure your troop’s participation will be both educational and fun. The following is important information to help you plan your trip. Overnights are available any night except Christmas Eve and Day.

The Scout Duty Chief will be available until 8:00PM. You should plan to arrive at the Park by 3:00PM to allow adequate time to store your gear and familiarize the troop with the area. Upon your arrival, please ask the ticket office or guard to notify the Scout Duty Chief.

There are NO COED FACILITIES AVAILABLE. All facilities will be shared by several groups. It is required that only male chaperons accompany boy groups, and only female chaperons accompany girl groups. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. We encourage you to plan on one adult for every eight scouts.

GET INVOLVED

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. By joining today, you are helping us to continue to memorialize our veterans of all branches of the United States Armed Services.

By supporting our membership program, you will honor those who fought for our Freedom in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and other conflicts as well as honor those who are continuing to fight for our freedom daily. Your membership entitles you to a year of informative publications. And remember your membership is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Please contact our Membership Department at 251-438-2834 for more information or click here for a printable Membership Application, you may send your check to:

Email: alassere@ussalabama.com

November 2008 Aviators Hot Line WARBIRDS

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