Adventure time! USS Alabama.

So I skipped work today and headed off to Mobile, Alabama to visit Battleship Park and the USS Alabama, (BB-60).

This beautiful South Dakota class World War Two vet is open to the public and in great shape. Here's the view aft from the bow, looking at two of her three turrets, each of which houses three 16"/45 cal. Mark 6 guns.

Here's one of the projectiles that they fire. 2,700 pounds and accurate out to 21 miles. Nice!

Now THAT is a rifle. Times 3.

Inside the turret...because I go these places for you all.

And look at this breech.

Note the ladder running down behind the breech. On another battleship I won't name, I once managed to get into this shell-hoisting shaft with a little help from a Leatherman tool and descended to the bottle of the barbette, several decks below, my way lit only by a mini-mag flashlight held in my mouth. Best self-guided tour ever! But I was well-behaved on this trip.

Here's a look into the aft turret, which is not as well restored.

Outside the aft turret.

Lots of smaller guns, too. Here's one of the many twin 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns of the main deck.

Another row of Oerlikons (port side). Once the Kamikaze threat became clear, they were putting these guns everywhere on every ship.

Here's a couple of the twin 40mm Bofors Anti-aircraft gun mounts.

Got lots more pics to post...but I'm tired now and it's past the dogs' bedtime too. More to follow.