The dedication of the USS Alabama occurred in January 1965 in Mobile Bay. After its decommissioning, the famous battleship, which fought in World War II, was scheduled to be scrapped, according to an announcement in May 1962. In response, the state legislature established the USS Alabama Battleship Commission and the “Save the Battleship” committee in September 1963; fundraising efforts began in the spring of 1963.
Advocacy and fundraising efforts of state officials and Alabamians eventually saved the ship from destruction and made the relocation to Mobile Bay possible. Private citizens alone raised more than $750,000 for the cause and more than one million students, like the one pictured here, raised nickels, quarters and dimes from lunch money and allowances. More than 2,000 people crowded at the dedication on January 9, 1965, exactly 18 years after the ship’s decommissioning, and 16 different military organizations participated as the ship museum was opened.
Dive into the nickels and dimes:
- Alabama students donated an average of 25 cents each to salvage the USS Alabama. This was particularly generous given that the minimum wage in 1964 was about a dollar.
- While the campaign raised $800,000, the amount fell short of the $1 million goal, so three Mobile banks — Merchants National Bank, First National Bank of Mobile and American National Bank — loaned the commission the balance with no collateral.
- The park still honors the students’ free admission cards today. The cards had no expiration date and, in the past, the park receives around 50 visits from card holders a year.
USS Alabama by the Numbers
$100,000
The amount Alabama’s schoolchildren raised for the relocation of the USS Alabama. Each child who donated was given a card for free admission to the ship.
45,000 Tons
The USS Alabama’s weight when fully loaded. Its unloaded weight is 35,000 tons.
3 Months
The duration of the USS Alabama’s move from Washington down the West Coast to Mobile. The ship entered Mobile Bay September 14, 1964. At 5,600 miles, the trip marked the longest non-military ton-mile tow in history.
2,500
The number of Americans that the USS Alabama housed and carried during the height of World War II.
18 million
The number of visitors the park has welcomed since January 9, 1965.
