MOBILE, ALABAMA, June 7, 2023 – Now Hear This! Battleship Memorial Park is pleased to announce that the original WWII Teak Deck of the USS ALABAMA will be available for purchase beginning Monday, June 12, 2023. Anyone will now have the opportunity to bring a piece of the USS ALABAMA home with them.
After over 80 years of wear, the battleship deck required replacement. Beginning in 2022, Battleship Memorial Park’s three-year teak deck replacement project was underway. Since then, contracting crews have completed nearly three of five phases, and the results have been outstanding.
“Replacing our World War II teak deck is a three-year, $8.5 million project. Whatever is paid for an item of BB-60 teak will go into our teak deck account. Maintenance of the battleship, submarine and park exhibits is expensive. We work those requirements simultaneously with the teak deck project. The Battleship Commission is pleased that the public can finally purchase a part of the “Mighty A,” said Maj. Gen. Janet Cobb, USA (Ret), the park’s executive director.
The worn original planks will come in the form of pens, coins, coasters, plaques, magnets, cutouts and blocks varying in size. Customers have the option to make their purchase in-store or via phone/email. Larger dimensions of the unfinished teak planks will also be sold by the linear foot by appointment only. All proceeds will go directly to the funding of teak deck replacement project.
As a memorial, it is our duty to honor all veterans, both past and present, as well as to educate the public. Each year the United States loses more and more WWII veterans. By bringing a piece of the USS ALABAMA home, younger generations can continue to carry on its legacy and value the sacrifices that were made by those heroic servicemen and women.
For more information, please visit Battleship Memorial Park’s website at https://www.ussalabama.com/teak-deck-project/ or call the Ship’s Store at 251-432-0261. Emails related to purchases can also be sent to shipsstore@ussalabama.com.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is located at 2703 Battleship Parkway in Mobile, Alabama.
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Photo: USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park