OUR NEXT ADVENTURE
  • Home
  • Blog
  • RV Parks we have visited
  • Map of our travels
    • About >
      • Contact
  • Statistics
the Honeymoon continues...

Our Blog of our activities as we travel...

The USS Alabama and Drum.

4/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Today, we visited a place that both of us have not been to for a very long time.  We pass by the ship every time we drive west on I-10 through Mobile but have not been on the ship for decades.

Warning: History lessons to follow.  Who knew?!  Still pretty great!
Picture
There are many really good displays for us to see along with touring the battleship. There are lots of planes and other vehicles.  Almost every plane is on loan from the Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum.  I am glad they share planes that they are not currently showing.

One surprise was ARMY ONE, President’s Helicopter used by President Regan.  This helicopter was used when Marine One was too large for the situation.  The only time I found that it was used was for his visit to ​Venice.
Picture
A replica of the H L Hunley which was built in Mobile and was the first contact sub to sink a ship.  With a crew of 8, the sub could approach a ship at 4 knots just below the surface and push an arm with explosives into the target just below the waterline. The original is currently displayed in Charleston where it sank.
It seems that Mobile was the birthplace of several innovations.  The first Mardi Gras was held in Mobile. Several dishes like Fried Crab Claws, West Indies (Crab meat) Salad, Gumbo ( I know! Really!) were created. It was also  the first place where it is known that Okra was used in a meal in a restaurant.
The USN Drum was great!  It was tight and had many low ceilings but we did not bump our heads even once.  She arrived in Pearl Harbor 6 months after the attack. She went on to serve in other areas of the Pacific during the war.  She was credited with sinking 15 ships and survived several times being under depth charge attacks by the enemy.
From the deck of the Drum, we watched a bit of wildlife.  There were several Canada Geese and goslings walking around the fields beyond the sub.
Time to head down into the sub.  We started in the bow torpedo room and ended in the stern.
Walt Disney drew the mascot of the Drum.
Picture
The rooms on ship are laid out as or close to how they would have been when the ship was in service.
The control room was fascinating.  It is hard to believe anyone could keep all those dials and valves straight in their head to operate the boat.
The rest of the sub was just as interesting.  I cannot believe that over 83 men served on the Drum.
The Drum was used in a movie.
Picture
They also have a PB MK3 on display which was used to patrol the Panama Canal and much of the Gulf Coast.
Back in the display building. Wow! Lots of history.  They have a limited amount of space but use it very well. There was a very nice display on the Tuskegee airmen.
Time to go see the Battleship.
Battleships are huge.  It is over 100 feet wide and 680 feet long.  A crew of of over 2300 but could add on more if needed.  The thickest armor is 18".  Max speed 28 knots or over 32 mph. Nine 16" main guns which are accurate to 21 miles and firing huge shells. Imagine the damage this would do.  Wow!
Picture
Time to go below decks for a bit.
Several movies were filmed on the battleship.  USS Indianapolis, Under Siege, Crimson Tide, Rapid Fire, and, of course, War and Remembrance.
There were several nice displays on the history of the ship from the beginning to its decommissioning.
Many rooms are set as they would have been when the ship was in service.
Back up on deck to the bow.  Wow the anchor chain is huge.
We were able to climb inside a big gun.  Worse for wear but fascinating.  I can not even imagine the sound in here when the guns fired.
We loved our visit.  Lots of stairs and walking the decks. The weather was great.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    We are a couple who have started on a new adventure...

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • RV Parks we have visited
  • Map of our travels
    • About >
      • Contact
  • Statistics