Battleship Memorial Park

Battleship Memorial Park is a military history park and museum on the western shore of Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama. Its notable aircraft and museum ships include the South Dakota-class battleship USS Alabama and Gato-class submarine USS Drum. Alabama and Drum are National Historic Landmarks; the park as a whole was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on October 28, 1977. History In May 1962, USS Alabama had been ordered scrapped along with her South Dakota-class sister ships, USS South Dakota, USS Indiana, and USS Massachusetts. Citizens of the state of Alabama had formed the "USS Alabama Battleship Commission" to raise funds for the preservation of Alabama as a memorial to the men and women who served in World War II. Alabama's school children raised about $100,000 in nickels and dimes from lunch money and allowances to help the cause. The ship was awarded to the state on June 16, 1964, and was formally turned over on July 7, 1964 in ceremonies at Seattle, Washington. Alabama was then towed to her permanent berth at Mobile, Alabama, arriving in Mobile Bay on September 14, 1964, and opening as a museum ship on January 9, 1965. Alabama was joined in 1969 by USS Drum, a World War II Gato-class submarine, which was moored behind her until 2001, when the submarine was moved onto land for preservation in a permanent display. In 2003, a replica of a Confederate submarine that was built in Mobile, CSS H. L. Hunley, was moved to the park. Hurricane Katrina caused more than $7 million in damage to Battleship Memorial Park on August 29, 2005. It almost completely destroyed the aircraft pavilion. It shifted Alabama at anchorage and gave her an eight-degree list to port. Repairs closed the park until January 9, 2006. The museum's F-4C was removed from its location atop the entrance sign in February 2023 for restoration. Features The World War II-era battleship USS Alabama (BB-60). The World War II era submarine USS Drum (SS-228). Bombers and fighter planes ranging from a B-52 from the Vietnam War, a P-51 Mustang flown by the Tuskegee Airmen to an Lockheed A-12 spyplane. A PBR (River Patrol Boat) used in the Vietnam War. Military equipment ranging from items such as a M51 Skysweeper anti-aircraft gun to a M4 Sherman tank. A PGM-11 Redstone short range ballistic missile. Korean War Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion Up to World War II Korean War era Vietnam War era Cold War Coast Guard Events The 2001 USA Cross Country Championships were held at a cross country running course in the park. Political events have not been allowed at the venue since 2012. A living history crew drill is held six times a year. WWII reenactors dress in period uniforms and demonstrate life aboard the ship during wartime. Reeanctors share stories, conduct weapon briefings, and demonstrate drills. Administration The park is owned by the state of Alabama and is run by an independent government agency, the USS Alabama Battleship Commission. The commission consists of 18 members appointed by the Alabama governor. It has oversight of all operations at the park. Gallery See also List of museums in Alabama List of maritime museums in the United States List of battleships of the United States Navy References External links Battleship Memorial Park (Official website) USS Drum (SS-228)