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After leaving the stern
deck, we make our way up the starboard side. Left: 5-inch gun turrets overshadow a deck-mount 40mm battery. Right: Linda stands outside a hatchway. Above her is a 5-inch gun turret. |
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Left:
This plate affixed to the superstructure depicts
the battle history of the USS Alabama. Click any photo to see the larger version. Right: I looked up as we neared the big gun turrets on the main deck. This shot (and the next one) are special. They show the angular and stern beauty of the offensive and defensive armament. |
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Left:
16-inch guns obscure the sky. Right: Three sixteen inchers align into one profile. |
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The
Alabama carries nine sixteen inch guns (three in each
turret, two turrets forward and one aft.) These guns can
fire 24,300 pounds of steel every 30 seconds to a range
of 21 miles. She also carries 20 5-inch guns in armored twin turrets. Her lighter defensive armament includes 24 40mm cannon and 22 20mm cannon. |
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| The 16-inch
gun turrets are open to the public - if you
can get through the tiny 24x32-inch access hatch. Inside
the turret is a maze of equipment.
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A couple of small
catwalks wander through confined space. A glass shield
allows visitors to view the breech of the big guns.
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Here John
peers through the auxiliary rangefinder lens. The guns
were aimed by a WWII vintage gunnery control computer.
The rangefinder is the backup aiming system.
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