Day 15: The Day and Ways of War

Ammunition rails

We started early today even though we were going to cover less than 100 miles as the crow flies.  We wanted to get to Dauphin Island early, but it was 9:30 by the time we arrived.  The island is the site of Fort Gaines which was used both during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.  We had to keep our minds compartmentalized when reading the informational signs.  The fort was used mostly for land fighting in the War of 1812 but had a major sea battle during the Civil War--Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864.  This battle pitted Confederate Commander David Farragut against Union Commander Franklin Buchanan.  Much very interesting history.  The way ammunition was transported was innovative as was the use of "disappearing" guns.  Fort Gaines is on one end of the island and there is a public beach on the other end--about 6 miles between the two.  There is a 3.3 mile car bridge over water to get to the island.  As we were driving Chuck said, "I wonder when the last time a car from Oregon was on this road."  Well, at the public beach we parked next to a pickup with Oregon plates--too funny.

Dauphin Island is about 15 miles long with the western portion quite narrow.  It's average elevation is only seven feet above sea level.  Many of the homes are built on tall stilts to avoid being flooded during periodic storms. It very much reminded us of the parable in Matthew 7 about the foolish man building his house on sand.

Had lunch in Mobile. The food was quite good, but the service was slow, and the atmosphere was too much like a Dennys. 

Then off to the USS Alabama.  The movie telling about the ship was very informative.  For one, the Alabama was a battle ship whose mission was to "escort" other types of ships and defend them.  We did not know this.  Also, the Alabama spent a lot of time in port for different reasons and on "training exercises".  We thought of your family members and friends that served in the Navy and thought the saying "hurry up and wait" would be appropriate.

There were three different self-guided tours of the ship: 

1.  Out side mainly focusing on guns and different bridges
2.  Warrant officers and their quarters, weapons storage, engineering and medical 
3.  Officers and their quarters and where they would be at any time during a mission.  

16 inch Ammunition

We believe the Navy feeds their guys on ship very well from what was displayed on the self-guided tour.  There were a number of food prep and dining areas.  We walked up and down and all around for an hour and a half.  Actually, got lost one time--couldn't find the arrows pointing to the next information area.  It was a wonderful tour but really needed an entire day.

Three wars from 1812 to 1945 were looked at.  History is so great.

To the room early. Pooped from all the walking.  Just as we didn't expect the casinos in Biloxi, we didn't expect the amount of very nice tall buildings in Mobile--but we did not see an casinos.