The Navy. Uniforms and big ships. My dad was a Communications Specialist in the Navy back in the 1950s. You can read his account of being stranded in Hurricane Hazel here.
I was a photographer in the Navy back in the 1980s. You can catch my story of recruit training in my memoir, Letters from BootCamp. It’s a detailed narrative that connects two generations of sailors weaving in advice from my “salt of the sea” Dad who supported me and reminds me to, “Hang in there. Head up. Chest out. Back straight. And keep those shoes polished.”
I’ve since been fascinated by tales from sea and the gigantic ships of the U.S. Naval fleet.
One of my favorite retired Navy ships to tour is the USS Naval Battleship North Carolina anchored down permanently in Wilmington, NC. My dad lives nearby in Southport, where we got to watch the USS NC nuclear submarine cruise up the Cape yasmin Fear river to Wilmington surrounded by Navy and Coast Guard security. Very cool.
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The USS Battleship NC became the first of 10 fast battleships to join the American fleet in World War II.
At the time of her commissioning on April 9th, 1941, she was considered the world’s greatest sea weapon. During World War II, the battleship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars.
One day to visit the USS Battleship NC is not enough to delve into it’s bowels of history. From the big guns on deck to the mess hall, bakery, doctor and dentist quarters, engine rooms, captain’s quarters and more.
Now that’s one big anchor
This self-guided tour is the most comprehensive I’ve been on with each area decked in original equipment and marked with its human stories throughout history.
A don’t miss trip if you are near Wilmington, NC!
Touring retired ships always fills me with pride in our country and gratitude to those willing to serve. Thank-you for your service.
Thanks Wendy for stopping by and for the nice words! These grand ships do hold so much of our history as a nation and a fascinating look into time long gone by.
Ships have always fascinated me though I was dissuaded from joining the Royal Navy, which was just as well, I think. Shipboard life is inconceivable to a landlubber, particularly on ships like the Mary Rose and Victory.
Shipboard life is indeed a different world that I dont know if I could suffer through. Hence, why I did not re-up as I knew I would get assigned to a ship 🙂 I am a land lubber too. I get terribly seasick. Thanks for stopping!
Stopping in from the A to Z Challenge to say hello! I’ve been on a few retired battleships. They were fun to tour. Got some great pics too!
Thanks for stopping! We have the USS Battleship NJ near us but the tour is nowhere near the NC one, very limited.
Dad’s a Marine (ret), and I grew up on a Navy base (Memphis), but I’ve never seen a Navy vessel. I guess I should do something about that.
Hi Kelly, they are amazing to tour. What they hold in such tight spaces. Its a working city afloat. An aircraft carrier tour is a good one too!
You may already know I build model Ships War ships are my favorite! Thanks for the great pictures. Glad your book is doing so well. I can not wait until it is on the New York Best seller list!
Hi Tony, I do know about your ship building and would love to see them someday! You are too funny – if anyone helps it will certainly be you getting me to a bestseller list 🙂