USS Alabama, a 35,000 ton South Dakota class battleship, was built at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia. Commissioned in August 1942, she operated along the U.S. east coast in late 1942 and early 1943 and was then stationed in the North Atlantic to guard against the threat of raids by German heavy ships. Alabama was transferred to the Pacific in August 1943. During November of that year, she took part in the operation to capture the Gilbert Islands. In 1944, Alabama participated in taking the Marshalls, the Marianas and Leyte, the Battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf, and raids on Japanese positions elsewhere in the Pacific.
Following overhaul and training in January-April 1945, the battleship rejoined the fleet for operations in the Western Pacific, including attacks on the Japanese home islands. She took part in the occupation of Japan and the return of veterans to the United States in August-October 1945. USS Alabama decommissioned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, in January 1947 and remained in reserve until struck from the Naval Vessel Register in June 1962. Two years later, she was turned over to the State of Alabama. Since September 1964, Alabama has been berthed at Mobile, Alabama, as a memorial to those who served and sacrificed during World War II.
This page features selected views of USS Alabama (BB-60).
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 57209 USS Alabama (BB-60) Anchored in Casco Bay, Maine, circa December 1942. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 122KB; 740 x 620 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-K-445 (Color) USS Alabama (BB-60) In Casco Bay, Maine, during her shakedown period, circa December 1942. Note her Measure 12 (modified) camouflage scheme. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 510 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-K-443 (Color) USS Alabama (BB-60) In Casco Bay, Maine, during her shakedown period, circa December 1942. Note her Measure 12 (modified) camouflage scheme. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 96025 USS Alabama (BB-60) Off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, 7 February 1943, following post-shakedown availability and repainting. Collection of Lieutenant Commander Carlyle M. Terry. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-300907 USS Alabama (BB-60) Underway in the Pacific with Task Force 58.2, circa 1943-44. Taken by a USS Essex (CV-9) photographer. This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Science Laboratory on 9 February 1945. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 580 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-37936 USS Alabama (BB-60) View looking aft from the bow during a snowstorm. Taken during her shakedown cruise, circa January 1943. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 66KB; 595 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-K-9410 (Color) USS Alabama (BB-60) Ship's forward 16"/45 guns train to starboard during a North Atlantic battle practice. Photographed during her shakedown period, circa December 1942 - January 1943. Note: Ice and snow on turrets and decks. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 152KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-K-497 (Color) USS Alabama (BB-60) Closeup view of the left 16"/45 gun of her after turret, with her superstructure beyond. Photographed during her shakedown period, circa December 1942. Note: Ladders on turret faceplate; Mk.8 and Mk.4 fire control radar antennas atop her after gun directors. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 109KB; 585 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-K-495 (Color) USS Alabama (BB-60) View of the ship's forward superstructure, looking up from the port side during her shakedown period, circa December 1942. Note: Signal flags; Mk.8 fire control radar on Mk.38 main battery gun director (at top); Mk.4 fire control radar on Mk.37 secondary battery gun director at right; radio direction finder "loop" at left. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 134KB; 580 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-38002 USS Alabama (BB-60) Fireman puts on a burner on one of the ship's boilers. Taken during her shakedown cruise, circa January 1943. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 160KB; 595 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 75608 USS Alabama (BB-60) Launching, at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, 16 February 1942. Courtesy of James Russell, 1972. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 158KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
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If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
13 February 2000