The Story of The Mighty A: The USS ALABAMA

On Mobile Bay between the cities of Mobile and Daphne sits a piece of historical significance that is lovingly referred to by locals simply as “the battleship”. From Fourth of July fireworks to Boy Scout slumber parties, the USS ALABAMA is moored quiet and dignified in Mobile Bay beckoning families to board for a step back in time. Groups are invited daily to explore two National Historic Landmarks, the WWII battleship and submarine USS DRUM, both celebrating their 75th anniversaries in 2017. Visitors of the park will also find an aircraft pavilion, historic planes, a gift shop, and plenty of room for picnicking (pro tip: there’s even shaded kennels if you’re traveling with your pup).

Unable to resist anything that so perfectly combines beauty and history, we sat down with the historian of the USS ALABAMA to find out what it was like for crewmen to be aboard the ship during wartime and, conversely, about the highlights of visiting the park today.

Q: What do men say it was like being on the USS ALABAMA?

Whether a commissioned officer or enlisted crewman, each man that served aboard the USS ALABAMA (BB-60) had a unique story about what it was like serving aboard the “Mighty A.”  The sheer power of the Alabama at sea is described by so many of the crewmen. 

Jack Rettig, Electrician’s Mate Second Class, a specialist in Interior Communications – telephones, recounted:  “The immense ship sliding sideways across the water after firing a broadside.  The noise.  The noise.  The shocks.  The way shore bombardments raised hell with my sensitive telephone equipment.”*

Many crewmen describe the regimented lifestyle of wartime combat juxtaposed with free time spent in reading, writing letters to loved ones back home and sports activities like baseball, basketball, and attending exhilarating boxing and wrestling matches, as well as attending religious services and movies.  Life aboard the ship for the 2,500 men was compacted to be sure, but they worked as a team to ensure success and all agree that service aboard the Alabama was not only a duty but an honor.

Q: Are there any stories that really stick out from former crewmen?

Curtis R. Cockrell, Electrician’s Mate Third Class, E Division relates that on the last cruise before the end of the war, the Alabama stayed at sea for sixty four days straight, and ran short on food and supplies.  As Cockrell tells the story, “We stayed at our battle stations for almost seventy-two hours, in which we were served bologna sandwiches and coffee once each day for three days.  When we secured at dawn the third day, an announcement was made on the loudspeaker for everyone to be sure to go to breakfast before going to bed.  .  Believe it or not, we were served steak and eggs, powdered of course, but they were delicious and we were very hungry.  Some of the crew elected to go to bed instead of eating, and that left plenty for us that did eat.  We had seconds.”*

Harry K. Floyd, Fire Controlman Third Class, FA Division, relates that “One day I had to go to the No. 2 16” gun turret to take some machine parts.  On the way out of the back hatch, which comes out on the man deck, we hit a big wave.  The rough water through me against the life lines, which kept me from going overboard.  The quarter-deck had the wooden deck on the starboard side, and I remember putting my fingers in the cracks of the boards and crawling back to the door that I came out of.  I have thanked God many times for sparing my life that day.”*

Q: What’s it like for them to come back now?

To the crewmen returning to the Alabama now, there is a sense of true honor, awe and pride.The men echo the words of each other as they reminisce about crewmen who are no longer with them, but continue to hold a deep place of respect in their hearts.  Returning crewmen today are eager to talk about their experience aboard the Alabama and take great pleasure in sharing with visitors, young and old, their experience aboard this very special ship that they served so faithfully during a perilous time in our nation’s and world’s history.  The crewmen are thankful and appreciative of this battleship they hold so dearly in their hearts and minds, and we are all so appreciative of the sacrifices they made and the service they rendered on our behalf.

When you see a crewman climb the gangway to board the ship, you will see the years melt away.  Their back straightens, they hold their head high, they move with purpose.  You can see that when they board this ship, they truly travel back to the time they served, as young men, in a war that changed the world.  

Q: Of the visitors to the park, are there any comments you hear over and over again?

Our visitors talk about how large the ship is once they board.  They are usually overwhelmed at the authenticity of the compartments and how it feels.  They talk about stepping back in time when they tour.  We always take these comments as the highest of compliments.  As stewards of this National Historic Landmark, our staff takes pride in the preservation work we do.  Portraying life aboard the USS ALABAMA during WWII and telling the stories of the men who served aboard her is what we work hard to do every day.  Keeping the legacy of these men and the sacrifices made alive is our mission.  

Q: What do you think the ship means to locals?

The USS ALABAMA is a point of pride for all Alabamians.  It was the school children of Alabama that saved their nickels, dimes and quarters and donated their money to bring the ship to Mobile in 1964.  Over $100,000 was raised for the USS ALABAMA by students.  These children, now grandparents, tell their story to their children and grandchildren when they visit.  It is a wonderful story of how our state came together to rescue and save this ship, installing her as the centerpiece of Battleship Memorial Park.   

To find out more about the USS ALABAMA or to make plans to visit the park, head to USSALABAMA.com, and make sure you grab a coupon from Coast360 before you go!

*The Mighty A And The Men Who Made Her Mighty, compiled by Rebecca Bundy Brown & Heidi Bundy Brown.  Pub. 1999.