USS Alabama (BB 60)

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History coming soon....

Ship's Data
Where applicable, data is that of the modernized/reconstructed version and not that of the original as-built configuration.

Class:
Nickname:
Authorized:
Keel Laid:
Launched:
Commissioned:
Main Battery:
Secondary Battery:
Design Displacement:
Full Load Displacement:
Overall Length:
Waterline Length:
Draft:
Beam:
Design Speed:
Decommissioned:
WWII Battle Stars:
Final Fate:

South Dakota
Big Bama, Mighty A
27 March 1934 and 3 June 1936
1 February 1940
16 February 1942
16 August 1942
Nine 16in/45cal Mk.6 (3 x 3)
Twenty 5in/38cal (10 x 2)
35,400 tons
45,200 tons
680 ft
666 ft
29 ft 3 in
108 ft 2 in
27 knots
9 January 1947
Nine
Museum/memorial ship since 9 Janaury 1965 at Mobile, AL

Camouflage
All the dates given may not be exact as to the month of repainting.
For more information about the different camouflage measures refer to the Camouflage page.

Aug 1942 - 1943
1943 - Aug? 1943
Aug? 1943 - Mar? 1945
Mar? 1945 - ?

Measure 12 (Mod.)
Measure 22
Measure 21
Measure 22

Photos
These photos are arranged in chronological order and are believed to be all declassified official USN photos (unless otherwise noted.)
[Thumbnails are 15% of full image size.]

	Underway in Chasapeake Bay.	30 November 1942
	As above.	30 November 1942
	View of the port superstructure showing a quad 40mm Bofors mount, a 5in/38cal turret at right and one of its directors.	December 1942
	A close-up of a 16in/45cal barrel on the aft turret. Note both main battery directors are visible along with two of the four secondary battery directors.	December 1942
	Underway.	December 1942
	As above. Note the two empty gun tubs on the main deck beside the aft superstructure between Turret 3 and the secondary battery. These were each for a quad 40mm Bofors mount which were in short supply at that time.	December 1942
	Anchored in Casco Bay, Maine.	December 1942
	Underway during shakedown cruise.	December 1942
	As above.	December 1942
	As above.	December 1942
	Main battery practice during shakedown cruise in the North Atlantic. Note the ice and snow on the turrets and deck.	January 1943
	Looking aft from the bow during a snowstorm while on shakedown cruise in the North Atlantic.	January 1943
	An OS2U Kingfisher about to be launched. Note the life rafts stored under the catapult (when it is stowed) and the boats on dollies.	1943
	A bow view while anchored in Chasepeake Bay. Note one of the turrets is trained starboard.	February 1943
	As above, view of stern.	February 1943
	As above, port view.	February 1943
	Underway in the rough Atlantic, notice the bow plunging deep into the waves.	4 March 1943
	Seen from HMS Duke of York off Norway. Compare with an almost identical picture view of USS South Dakota on that page.	June 1943
	Underway.	August 1943
	Anchored after a refit at Norfolk Navy Yard. The circled areas are references to the areas altered during refit.	20 August 1943
	As above.	20 August 1943
	Underway in the Pacific as seen from the aircraft carrier USS Essex.	1943/1944
	Aerial view of her performing a hard turn to starboard. Note Turret 3 trained starboard.	24 January 1944
	Underway in the Pacific near Majuro.	December 1944
	Anchored in Puget Sound following refit. Note the angles of 16in barrels showing their independent elevation capabilities.	15 March 1945
	As above.	15 March 1945