Third Phase Completed of USS ALABAMA’s Teak Deck Replacement Project
MOBILE, ALABAMA, August 2, 2023 – Battleship Memorial Park is pleased to announce the completion of phase three out of five of the teak deck replacement project. Visitors will once again have full access to the starboard side of the WWII battleship USS ALABAMA. As the project continues to move forward, a temporary ramp has been placed at the top of the battleship’s gangway for the duration of the project.
“Replacing our World War II teak deck is a three-year, $8.5 million project. Maintenance of the battleship, submarine and park exhibits is expensive. We work those requirements simultaneously with the teak deck project,” said USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission Chairman Terry Ankerson.
After over 80 years of wear, the WWII battleship deck required replacement. Beginning in 2022, Battleship Memorial Park’s three-year teak deck replacement project was underway. Since then, crews from Teak Decking Systems and Youngblood Barrett Construction have completed three of five phases, and the results have been outstanding.
Richard Strauss, Teakdecking Systems CEO said, “It is an honor for all of us at Teakdecking Systems to be entrusted with the responsibility of building and installing a new deck for the legendary USS ALABAMA battleship. This project presents significant challenges, considering that the memorial park remains accessible to visitors, but our team are driven by a deep satisfaction of playing a part in restoring the historic battleship back to its former glory.”
Visitors can purchase finished items made from the worn original planks. Larger dimensions of the unfinished teak planks are sold by the linear foot by appointment only. All proceeds go directly to the funding of teak deck replacement project.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park opened to the public on January 9, 1965. Since then, the park has continued to uphold its mission to honor all veterans and educate the public on the sacrifices that were made. The park is open every day except Christmas Day from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The last ticket is sold at 4:00 p.m.
For USS ALABAMA media inquiries, please contact Ashleigh Milne at 251-287-3636 or visit https://www.ussalabama.com/teak-deck-project/. For Teakdecking Systems media inquiries, please contact Anella Alcott at aalcott@teakdecking.com.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is located at 2703 Battleship Parkway in Mobile, Alabama.
