Nick Musmansky tries out the heft of the guns on deck at the USS Alabama. She is armed with nine, 16-inch guns in three turrets and 20, 5-inch, .38-caliber guns in 10 twin mounts. After 20 years of meritorious service, the battleship was retired and taken to Mobile Bay and opened as a museum ship. It is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day. USS Alabama (BB-60), a South Dakota-class battleship, was the sixth completed ship named Alabama of the United States Navy. Alabama was commissioned in 1942 and served in World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.

When the USS Alabama was decommissioned in 1947, she was assigned to the reserve duty, and formally retired in 1962. In 1964, Alabama was taken to Mobile Bay and opened as a museum ship the following year.

Though the battleship enjoys a service history of merit, some find its cinematic experience more romantic. The USS Alabama, in addition to its service during WW II, played a part in the 1992 movie Under Siege, starring Steven Seagal. Although the film was set aboard the USS Missouri, all the interior sequences were filmed aboard the Alabama.

"I have been to see the USS Alabama several times with my family, since my family originated from Daphne and still lives there," wrote Jennifer Rawls, who visited in late October. "It was such a beautiful and fascinating ship that now, whenever I come across another battleship open for tourists, I make sure to visit them as well. But I will never get tired of seeing the USS Alabama; I come to visit as often as I can!"

Locals often say they wish they had the opportunity to tour the park more often, but its impact is not lost on visitors and tourists.

"I got to visit the USS Alabama yesterday, and very much enjoyed my visit on it, its very well preserved and a credit to your organization," praised Michael Cliffe, visiting from Great Britain in early November. "I also enjoyed the USS Drum and the other excellent exhibits you have there."

Many churches and scout groups also enjoy overnight sleep-overs on board. The experience of sleeping on a historic landmark is only enhanced by the plethora of planes and other equipment on site.

Displacing more than 44,500 tons, the USS Alabama measures 680 feet from stem to stern, half as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Armed with nine, 16-inch guns in three turrets and 20, 5-inch, .38-caliber guns in 10 twin mounts, her main batteries could fire shells as heavy as a small car accurately for a distance of more than 20 miles. Her steel side armor was a foot thick above the waterline and her four propellers, each weighing more than 18 tons, could drive her through the seas at up to 28 knots, more than 32 miles per hour. Fully loaded, her range was about 15,000 nautical miles. The USS Alabama was built to fight.

By early 1942 the USS ALABAMA was desperately needed. The Allies had their hands full against the Axis powers in the Atlantic. In the Pacific, the United States was embroiled in a bloody slugfest with Japan, and was still reeling from the Dec. 7, 1941 disaster at Pearl Harbor. She saw 37 months of active duty during World War II, earning nine Battle Stars. The "Mighty A" as she came to be known, safely carried her crew throughout the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean campaigns, and never suffered any casualties or significant damage due to enemy fire.

All tours are self-guided, and take approximately 2 hours. The main deck of the Battleship, Aircraft Pavilion, and Gift Shop are handicapped accessible. Admission fees are: Age 12 and up, $12 ; Ages 6-11, $6; children under the age of 6 are admitted free.

Tour the USS Alabama

Hours: Open everyday except Christmas Day
8 a.m.-4 p.m. October-March
8 a.m.-6 p.m. April-September
Location: 2703 Battleship Parkway (Highway 90/98)
Just off Interstate 10, Exits 27 or 30
251-433-2703 www.ussalabama.com