The day
started out as any other day, watch the morning news and a couple cups of
coffee. Because we are moving down to the coast tomorrow we decided today we
would head back to Mobile and explore more of the area.
We needed to
find a Post Office, a Walmart and we wanted to find a Goodwill store. The Post
Office was to mail a birthday card, the Walmart was for some groceries and we
wanted to find a Goodwill Store to donate our old coffee maker. The coffee
maker works fine it’s just slower then we prefer. We found the P.O. and Walmart
right away and then drove halfway across town, following directions from the
GPS, only to find that the Goodwill had closed or moved. So we are hauling the coffee maker around in
the back of the jeep.
We drove
through the old section of Mobile which is a wonder preserved area with unique
stores and shops. Right along the bay on the south side of town is Battleship
Memorial Park. The park opened in 1965
and is dedicated to honoring all Alabama Veterans who have participated in all
conflicts of the United States Armed Forces.
Your ticket
admits you to tour the Battleship Alabama, the Submarine USS Drum and the
Aircraft Pavilion. The tours were very interesting and we really enjoyed the time
spent. While my boots were on the ground during my service time I have a new
appreciation for those that served on ships and submarines.
USS Alabama
Here are a few facts and random pictures we took while aboard the Battleship Alabama.
Her assigned crew was 127 officers, and 2,205 enlisted.
She is registered at 35,000 tons (70 million pounds)
She earned 9 Battle Stars, and shot down 22 enemy airplanes during World War II
Her large guns are nine 16"/45cal on three main turrets that are accurate to 21 miles.
Cozy conditions
Food preparation
On board Dentist office
Marines assigned had their own area aboard the ship. This was their supply room
Entrance to the Marine area
Some of the armament
Random facts and photos from the Submarine USS Drum
Commissioned in 1941. The ship is 311 feet long with a width of 27feet.
Crew consisted of 7 officers and 65 enlisted men.
She earned 12 Battle Stars during World War II
From the deck before going down below
What is all this?
This is where the Captain hangs out
This is where you steer this thing
Getting through these narrow hatches was not an easy task
This is all the space you have to move throughout the Sub
Finally up and out
We finished the tour in the Aircraft Pavilion viewing some of Americas finest fighting aircraft
On our way home we stopped in the town of Fairhope and visited the pier and fountain in the town center.
