On this day in 1942, the USS ALABAMA was launched. Sponsoring the vessel was Mrs. Lister Hill, wife of Alabama's Senator Hill. As you can see, there are no guns or superstructure installed. If the whole ship was built on the slip, it'd be too heavy to slide out of the berth which could damage the keel. | USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park

Climb aboard and get ready for adventure! Did you know you can actually explore inside the massive gun turrets at the bow and stern of the USS Alabama? It’s a hands-on experience that kids (and kids at heart) will love! Crawl through tight spaces, pretend you’re aiming the big guns, and imagine life at sea—just don’t forget to duck… those hatchways are sneaky! | USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park