Battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55)

A family vacation to Topsail Island, NC put us close to Wilmington, NC, home to the World War II Battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55) museum. We made a stop at the battleship museum on the trip home.

The Battleship USS North Carolina museum opened in 1961 and has showcased life on a wartime ship that participated in numerous battles in World War II such as Guadalcanal, Battle of the Phillippine Sea, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. There are 9 levels of the ship to explore, including the mess decks, berthing areas, engine room, bridge, Combat Information Center (CIC), and much more.

Of special interest for me was the Vought OS2U Kingfisher aboard the USS North Carolina. The Kingfisher is an American catapult-launched observation floatplane and one of only five examples located in the United States.

Shooting conditions around the ship vary widely. Cramped spaces, limited lighting, plexiglass enclosing sections, and people wandering throughout the ship make getting good shots a challenge. Due to this, the quality of the images I captured during my visit will vary from location to location.

02Jul11

USS North Carolina Exterior

As you walk around the deck of the USS North Carolina, you can see just how massive and numerous the guns were on this battleship. The ship is painted in a camo scheme called Camouflage Measure 32, Design 18D. This was considered the "definitive" appearance of BB-55 during World War II.

First view of the USS North Carolina coming out of the visitor center.
02Jul11 — First view of the USS North Carolina coming out of the visitor center. 02Jul11

The battleship carries a dazzle style paint scheme that makes it hard to identify from a long distance away when out to sea.
02Jul11 — The battleship carries a dazzle style paint scheme that makes it hard to identify from a long distance away when out to sea. 02Jul11

Bold irregular patterns of color were painted on the sides and superstructure of merchant and naval ships to confuse submarine commanders targeting vessels.
02Jul11 — Bold irregular patterns of color were painted on the sides and superstructure of merchant and naval ships to confuse submarine commanders targeting vessels. 02Jul11

The dazzle scheme became less useful as rangefinders and especially aircraft became more advanced. The use of radar further reduced its effectiveness.
02Jul11 — The dazzle scheme became less useful as rangefinders and especially aircraft became more advanced. The use of radar further reduced its effectiveness. 02Jul11

The forward main turrets with six of nine 16 in /45 caliber Mark 6 guns.
02Jul11 — The forward main turrets with six of nine 16 in /45 caliber Mark 6 guns. 02Jul11

The incredible size of the 16 in /45 caliber Mark 6 guns is easy to see standing beneath them.
02Jul11 — The incredible size of the 16 in /45 caliber Mark 6 guns is easy to see standing beneath them. 02Jul11

Standing near the bow looking back towards the stern of the battleship.
02Jul11 — Standing near the bow looking back towards the stern of the battleship. 02Jul11

Note the couple standing in front of the forward gun turret for another example of just how large the main guns are.
02Jul11 — Note the couple standing in front of the forward gun turret for another example of just how large the main guns are. 02Jul11

Standing on the bow of the battleship. Note the size of the anchor next to the other visitors standing next to it.
02Jul11 — Standing on the bow of the battleship. Note the size of the anchor next to the other visitors standing next to it. 02Jul11

Standing at the bow looking back towards the conning tower.
02Jul11 — Standing at the bow looking back towards the conning tower. 02Jul11

The deck of the USS North Carolina is quite large and filled with numerous things to look at.
02Jul11 — The deck of the USS North Carolina is quite large and filled with numerous things to look at. 02Jul11

The giant linked chain that is attached to the anchor laid out on the deck.
02Jul11 — The giant linked chain that is attached to the anchor laid out on the deck. 02Jul11

The 16 in main gun turrets had a limit of 45-degrees elevation.
02Jul11 — The 16 in main gun turrets had a limit of 45-degrees elevation. 02Jul11

The 16 in main guns could fire armor piercing projectiles: 21 miles. High capacity projectiles: 23 miles.
02Jul11 — The 16 in main guns could fire armor piercing projectiles: 21 miles. High capacity projectiles: 23 miles. 02Jul11

At full charge with a brand-new gun, the 2700 lbs shell would be expelled at a muzzle velocity of 2,300 feet per second. 02Jul11

Looking towards the bow of the battleship from the conning tower.
02Jul11 — Looking towards the bow of the battleship from the conning tower. 02Jul11

You can see the size of the 16 in main turret that sits in front of the conning tower.
02Jul11 — You can see the size of the 16 in main turret that sits in front of the conning tower. 02Jul11

Looking back towards Wilmington, NC from one of the outside walkways.
02Jul11 — Looking back towards Wilmington, NC from one of the outside walkways. 02Jul11

Looking up at the radar array and smokestack.
02Jul11 — Looking up at the radar array and smokestack. 02Jul11

My son posing for a photo while sitting in the seat of one of the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun positions.
02Jul11 — My son posing for a photo while sitting in the seat of one of the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun positions. 02Jul11

Battle Flags and Kill Board display on the side of the ship.
02Jul11 — Battle Flags and Kill Board display on the side of the ship. 02Jul11

Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher

Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher no. 3073, (marked #8 based on assigned air group) – displayed on board the battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55). With the assistance of a Royal Canadian Air Force Piasecki helicopter, Lynn Garrison salvaged this Kingfisher from Calvert Island (British Columbia), during the winter of 1963. It crashed there on a ferry flight to Alaska during World War II. It was initially restored for display by volunteers at Vought Aeronautics in Grand Prairie, TX.

This Kingfisher is one of only ten remaining examples worldwide. In the United States, there are four aircraft on display and one is in storage. So it is a rare bird indeed!

Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher displayed on the stern of the USS North Carolina. You can get a sense of its size with the visitors standing next to it.
02Jul11 — Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher displayed on the stern of the USS North Carolina. You can get a sense of its size with the visitors standing next to it. 02Jul11

The OS2U was the main shipboard observation seaplane used by the United States Navy during World War II, and 1,519 of the aircraft were built.
02Jul11 — The OS2U was the main shipboard observation seaplane used by the United States Navy during World War II, and 1,519 of the aircraft were built. 02Jul11

The Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher was powered by an air-cooled, 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-4 Wasp Junior radial engine..
02Jul11 — The Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher was powered by an air-cooled, 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-4 Wasp Junior radial engine.. 02Jul11

The Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher would cruise at 152 mph, with a service ceiling of 18,000ft. The Kingfisher's range was 908 miles at 75% power and flying at 6,000 ft .
02Jul11 — The Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher would cruise at 152 mph, with a service ceiling of 18,000ft. The Kingfisher's range was 908 miles at 75% power and flying at 6,000 ft . 02Jul11

The Vought OS2U-3 became the number one artillery spotter plane for battleships, its main task, while also performing long range reconnaissance and recognition of ships previously spotted on radar..
02Jul11 — The Vought OS2U-3 became the number one artillery spotter plane for battleships, its main task, while also performing long range reconnaissance and recognition of ships previously spotted on radar.. 02Jul11

USS North Carolina Interior

As you would guess with a ship of this size, the interior is massive. Visitors are free to wander around and see all aspects of shipboard life during World War II.

The ship is basically a floating city that has to provide basic functions such as food and medical services to the crew daily. Provide power to run and maintain all sections. All the while being able to move around the world. And around all these daily needs were the sections dedicated to giving meaning to the name “Battleship”.

Model of the USS North Carolina (BB-55) in the museum you pass through before boarding the Battleship.
02Jul11 — Model of the USS North Carolina (BB-55) in the museum you pass through before boarding the Battleship. 02Jul11

A Roll of Honor display for the ten thousand North Carolinians from all United States military services that perished during World War II.
02Jul11 — A Roll of Honor display for the ten thousand North Carolinians from all United States military services that perished during World War II. 02Jul11

The Pilothouse looking forward.
02Jul11 — The Pilothouse looking forward. 02Jul11

The Pilothouse with the battleship's speed dial in the foreground.
02Jul11 — The Pilothouse with the battleship's speed dial in the foreground. 02Jul11

Combat Information Center (CIC)
02Jul11 — Combat Information Center (CIC) 02Jul11

Main Battery Plotting Room.
02Jul11 — Main Battery Plotting Room. 02Jul11

Secondary Battery Compartment.
02Jul11 — Secondary Battery Compartment. 02Jul11

Several sections were locked and inaccessible.
02Jul11 — Several sections were locked and inaccessible. 02Jul11

Combat Information Center station.
02Jul11 — Combat Information Center station. 02Jul11

Air search radar station in the Combat Information Center.
02Jul11 — Air search radar station in the Combat Information Center. 02Jul11

Radio station.
02Jul11 — Radio station. 02Jul11

Battle Ribbons and Kill Board descriptions.
02Jul11 — Battle Ribbons and Kill Board descriptions. 02Jul11

Sleeping Bunks.
02Jul11 — Sleeping Bunks. 02Jul11

Sleeping bunks filling any spaces available.
02Jul11 — Sleeping bunks filling any spaces available. 02Jul11

Crew quarters with stacked sleeping bunks.
02Jul11 — Crew quarters with stacked sleeping bunks. 02Jul11

Ship's Galley (Kitchen).
02Jul11 — Ship's Galley (Kitchen). 02Jul11

Marine Detachement Quarters.
02Jul11 — Marine Detachement Quarters. 02Jul11

Officer's Quarters.
02Jul11 — Officer's Quarters. 02Jul11

Doctor's Office.
02Jul11 — Doctor's Office. 02Jul11

Operating Room.
02Jul11 — Operating Room. 02Jul11

Pharmacy with bunks folded up against the wall.
02Jul11 — Pharmacy with bunks folded up against the wall. 02Jul11

Medical Office.
02Jul11 — Medical Office. 02Jul11

Dental stations.
02Jul11 — Dental stations. 02Jul11

Crew Showers.
02Jul11 — Crew Showers. 02Jul11

Admiral "Bull" Halsey quote plaque.
02Jul11 — Admiral "Bull" Halsey quote plaque. 02Jul11

Machine Shop.
02Jul11 — Machine Shop. 02Jul11

Storage lockers.
02Jul11 — Storage lockers. 02Jul11

Shell display for the guns on the USS North Carolina and the powder packs required to fire each shell.
02Jul11 — Shell display for the guns on the USS North Carolina and the powder packs required to fire each shell. 02Jul11

The Big Guns of the Three North Carolinas.
02Jul11 — The Big Guns of the Three North Carolinas. 02Jul11

Room beneath the 16 inch deck guns.
02Jul11 — Room beneath the 16 inch deck guns. 02Jul11

Powder magazine storage area.
02Jul11 — Powder magazine storage area. 02Jul11

Shell magazine for shell storage below the 16 inch main guns.
02Jul11 — Shell magazine for shell storage below the 16 inch main guns. 02Jul11

Inside one of the main deck 16 inch gun turrets.
02Jul11 — Inside one of the main deck 16 inch gun turrets. 02Jul11

Inside one of the main deck 5 inch gun turrets.
02Jul11 — Inside one of the main deck 5 inch gun turrets. 02Jul11

Engine room main control panel.
02Jul11 — Engine room main control panel. 02Jul11

Reduction gear housing for one of the main propellor shafts.
02Jul11 — Reduction gear housing for one of the main propellor shafts. 02Jul11

Engine Room.
02Jul11 — Engine Room. 02Jul11

Looking up to inaccessible levels above.
02Jul11 — Looking up to inaccessible levels above. 02Jul11

Looking down to inaccessible levels below.
02Jul11 — Looking down to inaccessible levels below. 02Jul11

Panoramic Views

A panoramic look at the USS North Carolina as you board the ship and inside one of the main 16 inch turrets.

Click on the photos to see the full panoramic images.

Boarding the USS North Carolina on the stern via a gangplank.
02Jul11 — Boarding the USS North Carolina on the stern via a gangplank. 02Jul11

Projectile handling floor of one of the 16 inch turret guns with the shells positioned around the room.
02Jul11 — Projectile handling floor of one of the 16 inch turret guns with the shells positioned around the room. 02Jul11