Mobile’s 2026 Mardi Gras ship to arrive on Feb. 13, ‘full speed ahead’
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For more than 100 years, the birthplace of Mardi Gras, Mobile has celebrated the holiday by welcoming a U.S. Navy ship to the Port of Mobile. The sailors aboard are able to experience the festivities of Carnival, while the ship will remain open for public tours.
This year, Mobilians are invited to greet the USS Farragut (DDG-99) on Feb. 13. The ship is scheduled to arrive at the port around 10AM, with an arrival ceremony open to the public + media arranged for 11AM.
The ceremony will host:
- Representatives from the Navy
- The Navy League
- Mobile officials
- JROTC students
- USS Alabama Shipmates
- Azalea Trail Maids
- Blow House Brass Band
The USS Farragut will open to the public for tours on Saturday, Feb. 14, through Tuesday, Feb. 17. Tour hours will begin at 9AM each day and conclude at 3PM. Reservations are not required to tour.
The ship will be docked at Pier 2, at Alabama State Docks, located at 10 N. Water St., Mobile, AL 36602.
About the USS Farragut
Adm. David Farragut, the USS Farragut‘s namesake, is celebrated for his exploits while commanding the West Gulf Blockading Squadron during the Civil War. In 1864, Farragut rallied his troops to victory by (famously) shouting, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” All but one of his eighteen ships were able to travel safely through the heavily mined channel to win the Battle of Mobile Bay — one of the most celebrated victories in American naval history.
The USS Farragut is the U.S. Navy’s 49th Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. It won’t be the first time the destroyer has made a visit to Mobile; in March 2011, the ship made a four-day stop to serve as the 2011 Mardi Gras ship.
For more information, contact Navy League Mardi Gras liaison Brian Campbell at bacnavy94@gmail.com.
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