USS North Carolina

Left New Bern on 17 South headed for Wilmington, NC. This is the home of the battleship USS North Carolina! Spent about 2hrs doing a self-guided tour! This battleship was active during WWII in the South Pacific. We have a new respect for the brave sailors who served on her during that time - it was 'no picnic'.... very hot below decks, especially the engine room - and we were there on a mild day, not in the heat of the Pacific! It was very interesting seeing the kitchen/galley where 2000 hots meals were served in less than 2hrs, 3 times a day!

USS North Carolina (BB-55) (nicknamed 'Showboat') was the lead ship of her class of battleship and the fourth in the United States Navy to be named in honor of this U.S. state. She was the first new-construction U.S. battleship to enter service during World War II, participating in every major naval offensive in the Pacific theater to become the most decorated U.S. battleship of the war with 15 battle stars. She currently rests as a museum ship at the port of Wilmington, North Carolina.