Take a tour of the lead ship of North Carolina-class battleships and learn about U.S. Navy history in a unique and adventurous way.
See Battleship North Carolina, the third U.S. Navy warship to be named in honour of the State of North Carolina and now serving as a memorial in Wilmington. With a number of programmes and tours available, visiting the warship is an exciting way to learn about life in the U.S. Navy and World War II history.
Book a self-guided tour of the battleship with a Behind the Hatch programme. Work your way up from the inner bottom to the fire control tower at the top. Explore the vast network of rooms, the mess, the bridge and other sections of this impressive warship. The Behind the Hatch programme is a great way to focus on sections of the ship that interest you the most.
Wander the warship and learn how the crew confronts survivability issues with the Damage Control programme. Discover how the crew keeps the ship afloat in moments of crisis, such as the Japanese submarine torpedo attack on September 15, 1942.
Take on the Firepower Programme and see the warship’s 16-inch (40.6-centimetre) and 5-inch (12.77-centimetre) guns. Learn about the ammunition loading compartments and other weapons systems onboard. From radar to optical range finders, the presenters will educate you on how the warship operated in various wartime manoeuvres.
Embark on the 4-hour Hidden Battleship tour for the true adventurer. Explore the bow where you will discover the officers’ country and boatswain locker. See the torpedo area and the engineer’s office on the third deck. Enter Radio II for a lesson from the Azalea Coast Radio Club on the ship’s transmitters.
The warship also offers a Back Porch Tour for visitors with limited mobility or those who would rather learn about the ship from the comfort of the visitor centre. Admission fees depend on the experience you wish to have. Explore the ship year-round, including all holidays. Use free parking next to the memorial or take the water taxi across the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington.
Stop at the visitor centre at the Battleship North Carolina to plan your adventure aboard this remarkable U.S. Navy warship.
