USS Alabama celebrates new teak deck

Kathryn Bruch
·2 min read
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MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park welcomed Governor Kay Ivey to cut the ribbon for its new teak deck on Thursday.

“In partnership with the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, Alabamians are again united in pride as we unveil a major renovation to this beloved symbol of patriotism in America’s greatest generation,” Gov. Kay Ivey said during the ceremony.

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Since the deck’s commission in 1942, the teak remained the same. After 80 years of wear, the Battleship Commission decided it could use a replacement.

This picture was taken before the deck was replaced (News 5 photo).
This picture was taken before the deck was replaced (News 5 photo).

“This is an incredible day because of all the battleships in the world, there’s only the few, the four newest ships that ever had other than the original teak,” Battleship Commission member Bill Tunnell said.

The three-year plan to replace the historical teak deck began in October 2021.

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This picture was taken when the teak was being ripped up (News 5 photo).
This picture was taken when the teak was being ripped up (News 5 photo).

It was a multiple phase project that included:

  • Erecting a containment system

  • Dry blasting

  • Priming

  • Installation of the new teak panels

Project Construction Manager Chris Dunning said this renovation has been a dream for years. But almost every dream comes with a hurdle.

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“Getting all the appropriate parties involved, whether it be you know, the bonding company,” Dunning said. “It was extremely hard to find somebody that was willing to step up and get involved with that aspect, just to be able to share something that essentially a value can’t be put on.”

Construction also consisted of 20,500 sq. feet on the main deck of the battleship.

The construction crew planned to complete the project in October but finished seven months early.

This is a picture of the new teak deck on the USS ALABAMA (News 5 photo).
This is a picture of the new teak deck on the USS ALABAMA (News 5 photo).

“We did finish quite a bit ahead of schedule, which we’re very thankful for,” Dunning said. “Mainly because we can get a good night’s sleep now because every time, basically, the wind blow, we would all get nervous about we got out here.”

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