Battleship North Carolina Receives $500,000 for Engineering and Permitting | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory announced today that $500,000 from the Office of State Budget and Management's Repair and Renovation Contingency Reserve has been allocated to the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, the state's World War II memorial, to repair its hull.

    "Our administration values the wealth of North Carolina history that hinges upon the upkeep and support of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA," said Governor Pat McCrory. "We are committed to supporting thorough and efficient repairs of this storied ship."

    In July of 2009, the battleship received notification from the Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Command stating, "If the USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Commission does not have a viable plan for the future dry-docking of this vessel, you (the Battleship) should either develop a dry-docking plan or prepare and provide the Navy with a plan for the eventual disposal of the ex-NORTH CAROLINA."

    The battleship was dedicated at its Cape Fear River dock in April 1962 as the state's memorial to its World War II veterans.
U.S.S. North Carolina in June, 2010: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage    Click image to expand.
    "These funds will begin the permitting and engineering portion of the USS North Carolina Battleship hull repair project," said Captain Terry A. Bragg, USN (Ret.), executive director for the battleship. "This is especially important to continue to honor the memory of the 10,000 North Carolinians who served and died during World War II."

    This funding will also make possible a geotechnical investigation and diagnostic boring approximately 50-75 feet below the Battleship's surface level. Findings from the research will predicate the structure of a proposed cofferdam that will allow the battleship's hull to be repaired on site.

    Bragg continues, "We would also like to thank the continued support of the State of North Carolina in the efforts to preserve this national landmark for future generations."

    Repairs are imperative to continue the legacy of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. Funding allows for proactive work to establish a necessary strategy of repairing and maintaining the rich historic asset that resides in Wilmington.

    The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is self-supporting and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the ship, sales in the ship's store, donations and investments. No funds for its administration and operation come from appropriations from governmental entities at the local, state or federal levels. It is located at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421 on the Cape Fear River. To find out more, visit the battleship's website, its Facebook page and Twitter account.

    You can also relive its history with the crew on the Battleship Blog. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is a historic site within the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's cultural resources to build the social, cultural and economic future of North Carolina.

    Governor McCrory will honor WWII veterans in another special way today at a Legion of Honor ceremony at the Old State Capitol. French Consul General Denis Barbet will be presenting 14 North Carolina WWII veterans with France's highest honor for their service to the country during the war.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov