USS Alabama at Pearl Harbor: Where Was the Ship During the Attack?

On December 7, 1941, the USS Alabama (BB-60) was not present at Pearl Harbor. At that time, the battleship was still under construction at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia. The historic voyage of this ship had its beginnings in construction and gradually unfolded through its active service in World War II.

Construction and Launch

The USS Alabama (BB-60) entered the construction phase at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia. Construction commenced and continued, culminating in the ship's launch on February 11, 1942. From a half-finished hull on the building ways, it was a remarkable journey to becoming a fully operational battleship.

Commissioning and Early Service

A little over a year later, on August 16, 1942, the USS Alabama was commissioned into service. Following its commissioning, the battleship initially sailed with the British Home Fleet until 1943. It then transferred to the Pacific Theater, where it played a significant role in the war, albeit not in any engagements like the infamous gunfight with a Japanese battleship, as documented for the sister ship Massachusetts.

Previous USS Alabama Ships

It's worth noting that the USS Alabama name has been associated with six different ships throughout naval history, each with its unique story and fate:

USS Alabama (1819): A ship of the line converted to a storeship in 1864, it was eventually burned and sunk under tow in 1922. USS Alabama (1838): A sidewheel steamship that was sold at public auction and found abandoned in 1852. USS Alabama (1850): Another sidewheel steamship which met a fiery end in 1878. USS Alabama (1900): A pre-dreadnought battleship scrapped in 1924. USS Alabama (1942): The ship currently housed in Mobile, Alabama, which was commissioned in August 1942 and served throughout World War II. USS Alabama (1985): A nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine still on active duty.

Of these six ships, none of them was present at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The ship now known as the USS Alabama (1942), was built after the attack, serving in active service starting in August 1942.

Conclusion

The imminent departure of the USS Alabama from its construction site in Norfolk naval yard to its commissioning and subsequent service in the Pacific Theater is a fascinating aspect of naval history. It underscores the significant evolution from a mere hull to a combat-ready warship. As visitors explore the museum ship in Mobile, Alabama today, they can trace the through-line of this ship's development and achievements.