Deck 3
Discovery Hull: Step Inside History’s Floating Treasure!
Imagine a mighty wooden ship hull, retired from the sea and transformed into a world of wonder! On this deck, explore a massive, life-sized ship hull that spans the entire floor—once repurposed as everything from warehouses to hotels. Inside, uncover hidden gems like the thrilling Discovery Hull Theater featuring the captivating Port of Victory show, and a sprawling “curiosity cabinet” packed with rare maritime artifacts. Around the hull’s edges, dive into Civil War–era stevedoring tools and an epic timeline tracing the rich maritime history of the Gulf and Mobile.
Accessible for the visually impaired. Some exhibits will needs assistance from sighted person to interpret the text.
Discovery Hull Theater: Experience the Epic Story of “Port of Victory”!
Step into the heart of history with Port of Victory, a powerful film that brings to life the heroic story of the Port of Mobile during World War II. Through stunning sound, lighting, and fog effects, witness the relentless spirit of shipbuilders and shippers—like Waterman Steamship and Alcoa—who braved German U-boat attacks to transport vital bauxite for airplane production. See how Alabama Dry Dock (ADDSCO) and others forged the ships that helped win the war in an unforgettable cinematic journey that honors courage, innovation, and sacrifice.
El Cazador: A Sunken Treasure That Could Have Changed History
Step aboard a glass-bottom boat and gaze into the depths where history sleeps. Below lies El Cazador, a Spanish galleon lost in 1784 on a mission to save Spain’s struggling Louisiana colony with a shipment of desperately needed silver coins. Had it completed its voyage, the course of American history might have shifted forever. Discover the mystery, the mission, and the legend of the shipwreck that time almost forgot!
Shipwrecks of the Gulf: Explore the Graveyard Beneath the Waves
Uncover the secrets of the deep with this striking wall mural showcasing some of the Gulf’s most legendary shipwrecks—from mighty cargo vessels to sunken pleasure craft. Each ship icon marks a real wreck site, revealing the type of vessel lost and the story behind it. Dive into tales of storms, battles, and mystery as you trace the final journeys of ships that now rest beneath the waves.
Portholes to the Sea: Watch the Gulf Come to Life!
Peek through magical portholes and witness a lively parade of ships sailing in from across the globe! With whimsical animation, vessels from the 18th to the 21st centuries come to life—bringing goods to the Gulf and loading up with local treasures for the journey home. It’s a charming, time-traveling glimpse into centuries of global trade and maritime adventure!
The Hunley: Ride Into History Aboard the Civil War’s Most Daring Submarine
Climb aboard the H.L. Hunley and relive one of the most thrilling moments in naval history—the night it became the first submarine to sink an enemy warship. Step into the shoes of Lt. George Dixon, the Hunley’s fearless captain, and experience the tension, bravery, and sacrifice of that fateful mission against the Union’s USS Housatonic. It’s a gripping journey beneath the waves that changed the course of naval warfare forever.
Pelican Girls: Ghostly Tales from Mobile’s Earliest Love Stories
Gaze into a weathered mirror and watch as the ghostly reflections of two young French women come to life. These are the Pelican Girls—“cassette girls” sent from Paris in 1704 to become brides for the lonely French-Canadian settlers of Mobile. Through haunting, firsthand stories, they reveal what it was like to leave everything behind and sail across the ocean in search of a new life, love, and survival in the untamed New World.
Fish Tales: Big Catches and Bigger Stories from the Gulf!
Cast off into the thrilling world of Gulf Coast fishing! Projected onto a towering ship’s sail, two dynamic media presentations bring the action to life—one diving into the excitement of the Dauphin Island Fishing Rodeo, the other exploring the rich tradition of oyster harvesting in the Bay. Overhead, marvel at three massive fish—life-sized recreations of record-breaking catches that make every angler dream big. It’s a celebration of the Gulf’s bounty, bravery, and unforgettable fish tales!
Riverboat Run: Ride the Current of Innovation!
All aboard for a fast-paced journey through time! Watch the incredible evolution of river travel unfold before your eyes as a lively animation morphs one vessel into the next—from swift canoes and rugged keelboats to mighty flatboats, grand steamboats, and powerful diesel tows. It’s a fun, visual voyage through centuries of innovation on the inland waterways of the Gulf!
Tools of the Trade: From Muscle to Machines!
Step into the gritty, ever-evolving world of maritime cargo handling! Discover how stevedores—once relying solely on strength and skill—transformed their trade with cranes, forklifts, and cutting-edge tech. This hands-on display showcases the fascinating tools of the trade, from old-school gear to modern marvels that power today’s global ports. See how the job that built the docks continues to shape the world of shipping!
MariTimeline: Sail Through Centuries of Gulf Coast History!
Embark on a captivating journey through time with the MariTimeline—a sweeping, easy-to-explore display of the Gulf and Mobile’s rich maritime legacy. Whether you’re a casual visitor or a history buff, you’ll uncover thrilling tales of early explorers, groundbreaking inventions, fierce political shifts, economic booms, and cultural milestones. Parallel timelines bring the past to life, illuminated by stunning engravings, vivid paintings, and rare photographs that reveal the people and events that shaped the Gulf’s unforgettable story.
Night Skies: Navigate by the Stars
Before GPS, there was the galaxy! In this interactive experience, you’ll uncover the secrets of celestial navigation and learn how ancient mariners steered their ships using only the stars. Discover the guiding power of Polaris and the constellations as you explore the night sky and chart your own course across the open sea.
The Sextant: Chart Your Course Like a True Navigator!
Step into the shoes of historic seafarers and get hands-on with one of their most essential tools—the sextant. Discover how this ingenious device, with its curved scale and mirrors, helped sailors navigate by the stars. Try it yourself: take a real reading and see how close you come to finding your latitude!
GPS/Satellites
From Stars to Satellites. Discover the Power of GPS!
Today’s navigators rely on space-age tech, not starlight. In this high-tech experience, explore how GPS pinpoints your exact location using a global network of satellites beaming signals from orbit. Step into the navigator’s role and see how ships use this invisible web to chart their course with incredible precision—anywhere on Earth!
Longitude Challenge - Lost at Sea? Time Is Your Lifeline!
Before the 1770s, sailors had no way to track their longitude—because no clock could handle the chaos of the open ocean. What would you do if you were truly lost at sea? In this hands-on challenge, discover how mastering time became the key to finding your place on the map—and try it for yourself!
Harness the Wind and Set Sail!
Ready to captain your own mini sailboat? In this hands-on challenge, visitors will use wind to navigate a sailboat across the table—learning how the angle of the sail can make all the difference. Experiment with sail positions, catch the breeze just right, and feel the thrill of harnessing the wind to move your ship!
Chart a Course and Conquer the Intracoastal Waterway!
Ready to take the helm? In this immersive exhibit, visitors become the captain—navigating a sailboat through a winding stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway on a mission to reach the marina. Along the journey, you’ll decode real nautical chart symbols, steer around tricky obstructions, gauge water depth, and make split-second decisions using buoys and channel markers.
Ship Shape: Design the Perfect Vessel for Your Voyage!
Need a boat built for speed? Cargo? Exploration? Step into the role of a ship designer! In this interactive experience, visitors will define their mission and discover how ships are expertly engineered to match size, speed, and purpose. Test your choices and see how your custom vessel stacks up on the high seas!
Full Steam Ahead! Power the Paddle Wheel Like a Riverboat Captain
Climb aboard and feel the thrill of the steam age! Discover how steam engines revolutionized maritime travel and transformed the world. Step into the role of a steamboat operator and bring the mighty paddle wheel to life—experience the power that once drove great vessels up rivers and across open waters!
Sea Sense: Navigate the Changing Tides of History!
Ready to sail through time? At this interactive media station, embark on a global voyage across three pivotal eras—Exploration, Industrialization, and Globalization. Discover how breakthroughs in knowledge transformed sea travel, and put your skills to the test as you make critical choices to successfully reach your destination.
Plank a Boat: Build Like a Shipwright!
Think building a boat is easy? Think again! Step into the shoes of a traditional boatbuilder as you assemble one half of a curved-plank boat using flat, puzzle-like pieces. It’s hands-on, minds-on fun that shows just how much skill and precision it takes to craft a seaworthy vessel from simple wooden planks.
