Mobile

[davepi2]

After two trips that had nothing to do with the Civil War (The Upper P and Pittsburgh) I have decided on what will most likely be my last battlefield trip this January, Mobile. This really looks like a great trip. However I was looking for suggestions on places maybe most might not think of. The obvious, the Gulf Forts, Fort Blakeley and what's left of Spanish Fort are a must. I also have the surrender site north of town as well as a couple of spots in Montgomery on the list. Add in the USS Alabama Battleship Park and there is quite a lot to see. Does anyone have suggestions here, could be non Civil War related?

 

[bdtex]

Mobile National Cemetery and Magnolia Cemetery. Right next to each other.

 

[redbob]

Naval Air Museum in Pensacola and the forts there.

 

[Sheltowee]

Fairhope and Point Clear are lovely. Confederate Rest Cemetery is there.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I would definitely do Fort Gaines. Robert is the docent there and has been for a number of years. He knows the place inside and out and would really help you understand how the fort works and its role. It is completely different from Fort Blakely which is a state park - which is still amazing but completely different.

If you want to do Spanish Fort, I recommend the book, "Fighting All Day, Digging All Night" by Paul Brueske. You can order the book either from Amazon or Savas Beatie's web site. Paul lives in the area and if you get hold of him, you may be able to work out a deal with him to have him take you around. He knows the area intimately and can take you to places you would never normally see, like Fort McDermott. But more importantly he explains the roles and how the forts link up with each other. There is a part of Spanish Fort that is gated off and you need the code to get in that area.

I toured the USS Alabama with another member and it is fascinating! There was more to see on the site but we just ran out of time. Also, it was 91 degrees and it was blazing hot on deck of that ship with the sunlight reflecting all around on you. We spent several hours there just touring the inside of the ship. It is 5.00 to get in the car park, then 15.00 a person for the ship tour which is self-guided.

 

[DixieRifles]

Naval Air Museum in Pensacola and the forts there.

If you are going that far from Mobile AND you prefer the Air Force, then try out the USAF Armament Museum. A nice collection of aircraft and good examples of rockets.

 

[Irishtom29]

I toured the USS Alabama with another member and it is fascinating! There was more to see on the site but we just ran out of time. Also, it was 91 degrees and it was blazing hot on deck of that ship with the sunlight reflecting all around on you. .

And unlike the four Iowa class museum ships (Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri, Wisconsin) the Alabama wasn't modernized for post WW II service and is still in WW II trim and festooned with 40mm and 20mm AA guns and 5" dual purpose guns.

 

[AA484]

After two trips that had nothing to do with the Civil War (The Upper P and Pittsburgh) I have decided on what will most likely be my last battlefield trip this January, Mobile. This really looks like a great trip. However I was looking for suggestions on places maybe most might not think of. The obvious, the Gulf Forts, Fort Blakeley and what's left of Spanish Fort are a must. I also have the surrender site north of town as well as a couple of spots in Montgomery on the list. Add in the USS Alabama Battleship Park and there is quite a lot to see. Does anyone have suggestions here, could be non Civil War related?

U.S. Army has an online staff ride. Suggested stops are on page 52.

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/operational-art-and-the-campaigns-for-mobile-bay-1864-to-1865-staff-ride-handbook.pdf

I second the Alabama. It's been 20 years since I've been and it's obviously now ACW-related, but it's always impressive to see these old surviving battleships.

 

[USS ALASKA]

And unlike the four Iowa class museum ships (Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri, Wisconsin) the Alabama wasn't modernized for post WW II service and is still in WW II trim and festooned with 40mm and 20mm AA guns and 5" dual purpose guns.

I greatly enjoyed my tour of 'The Big A' so thanks for the pics! One thing I did notice in your first pic was the twin Oerlikon 20 mm cannon mount. To the best of my knowledge, no twins were mounted on US BBs during the war. They were all installed on Carriers.

History and Technology - US Naval Gun Mount Production During World War II - NavWeaps

navweaps.com

In Friedman's book U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History, he states that she was scheduled to replace her singles with forty twins but this refit was not started before she was mothballed after the war. I wonder if that was bolted on later as an example of what she was to be modified with? And there were plenty of those surplused post-1945.

Yeah, yeah, I know. Weird, esoteric, one-off detail, nerd wonk. I have been labeled with the 'Rivet Counter' appellation - I took it as a complement but realize it can be off-putting to non-enthusiasts...Sorry.

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[USS ALASKA]

Sir, if you wish to venture east to 'Occupied Alabama' for @DixieRifles recommendation, right next door is the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park. Many AFSOC airframes and open to the public. You can get '...close enough to smell 'em!'...and count rivets if one is so inclined.

Hurlburt Field > Air Park

HTHs,
USS ALASKA