Part 8: Florida Keys to Mobile, AL

20181125-28

The Trip

The Photos

The photos below are what we saw.

Storm damage from the hurricane along I-10.  For shallow rooted trees, they were blown over at the roots.  For stronger, deep root trees, they were snapped mid-truck by the force of the winds.  These pines are 12-18" in diameter.

On the south side of the highway, the scope of the damage becomes apparent.  Most trees were broken in half.

Many trees had fallen and partially blocked the highway.  We saw team after team with backhoes and trucks cleaning up the mess.

We passed mile after mile of damage.  Interestingly, the angle of the downed trees varied with distance along the highway since hurricane winds are circular.

When we arrived in Mobile, we visited the Battleship Alabama. Above, Kathleen is standing next to a 16" shell.  These shells weigh 2700 pounds and have a range of 20 miles.

One of the brass propellers from the Alabama was on display.

The Alabama, BB-60, is a big ship with plenty of armament.

The statistics plaque for BB-60.

The 16" guns are huge.

Inside the gun turret we could see the optical range finder and sighting assembly.  This is the large tube at the top of the photo above.

Aiming controls for the guns.

The breech of the 16" gun is at the bottom center of the photo above.

The ship carried a large number of 20mm cannons to protect itself from kamikaze attacks.

A portion of the ship's machine shop.  Note the yellow overhead rails that were used for moving heavy equipment throughout the ship.

A portion of the crew's quarters.

The tour allowed us access to the turbine room.

The boilers were located next to the turbines.

The Alabama had both high and low pressure turbines.

The turbines drove propeller shafts as well as generators.

Plenty of plumbing was required for the distribution and control of the pressurized steam.

In the magazine, these hoists were used to transport 5" shells to the gun turrets.



Deep below the 16" turrets was the main powder magazine.  The canisters on the left stored gun cotton which was the propellant for the shells.



The shells were secured using chains.  If these got loose and were banging around the magazine, it would be really bad.

Back on deck, we could see this B-25.



In the adjacent aircraft hangar there was an SR-71 on display.



There was a patrol boat from the 1970s on display.



The USS Drum was also on display.  This WWII submarine saw service in the Pacific theater.



The submarine had an anti-aircraft gun on the deck.



The sub also had a 5" cannon.



Down below, we got to see the torpedo room.



The central control area.



The helm.



One of 4 the Fairbanks-Morse opposing cylinder diesel motors.



A piston and connecting rod from the motor.



The electrical control panel.



Upon exiting, I was able to get a photo of Thor next to a B-52.

We were surprised by the scope of forest damage caused by hurricane Michael.  It was good luck that any blockages of the highway were resolved by the time of our passage.  The battleship museum was very impressive and should your travels bring you to the Mobile area, it is a must-see.  We concluded our time in the area at Felix's restaurant with local oysters and fresh fish.

Photos and Text Copyright Bill Caid 2018 all rights reserved.
For your enjoyment only, not for commercial use.