The U.S.S. North Carolina was the first of two ships in its class. The North Carolina and its sister ship the U.S.S. Washington, were the first fast battleships built that were able to travel 27 knots at full speed. The U.S.S. North Carolina was 729 feet long and 108 feet wide. It weighed an average of 45,000 tons during its wartime service. The ship’s range was over 5400 miles traveling at 25 knots, and 16,000 miles while traveling 15 knots. The North Carolina had four propellers and held over 7500 tons of oil. The battleship had a crew of 1,880. The battleship had two main forward turrets of three 16 inch guns each, and one aft turret of three guns. In addition to the 16 inch guns, twenty 5 inch guns and an assortment of 40mm and 20mm machine guns for anti-aircraft fire were also part of its armament.

The construction on the North Carolina began in October 1937. It was launched in June of 1940, and commissioned in April of 1941. The North Carolina was nicknamed “Showboat” due to the large amount of publicity the boat received during its fitting and trials.

The Battleship North Carolina was used in the Pacific theater working both carrier screening and landing support from August of 1942 till the end of the World War II. For a full account of the battleship’s entire carrier during World War II, click here. The ship was decommissioned in June of 1947. In 1961 the ship was given to the people of North Carolina where it is currently displayed. For more information on the Battleship North Carolina see the following sites.

Office of Naval Information page on Battleship North Carolina

Wikipedia Encyclopedia on North Carolina Class Battle Ships

Battleship North Carolina Home Page (for visitor information and directions to the ship)

Royalty Free Pictures