U.S.S North Carolina

U.S.S North Carolina

It's always cool seeing all the things that the different states have to offer. When we were in North Carolina early 2024 we got the opportunity to explore the U.S.S North Carolina battleship.

TJ did 8 years in the Navy, so he came with some insider knowledge that was absolutely helpful during our self-guided tour. He showed me the ins and outs, and may or may not have had to help me when I got completely lost.

TJ Climbing Down the Ladder into the Battleship

This adventure was especially cool for me, because I got to get a little taste of TJ's life when he was in the Navy. It was like I got my own personal tour guide. He explained the terminology of things, lingo that was used, how to read the markings above the doors, and how to not fall down the stairs while walking the steep ladders. Let me tell you... I almost fell many times. I have no idea how someone could get used to those steps. My parents had some steep steps at the house I grew up in, but it was nothing like these. I can't imagine trying to pass someone on them or waiting your turn as someone made their way up or down. It's like merging in tiny lanes on the freeway. Impossible.

As we made our way through the ship, I imagined what it would be like to be stationed on something like that. Crowded with so many other bodies always in your bubble. Always noise around. Always moving. And very limited light. It made me appreciate things a bit more. For instance - I don't always open the curtains in the morning, because naturally I like things dark. However, I always have the option to open them if I would like to. I appreciate that more and have actually been making an effort to open them more often, because I know the benefits of having sunlight. So to have that taken away would be incredibly depressing.

Moving along into the chow hall, which their sort of cafeteria, we saw not only the eating area, which TJ said they would also often play cards and such at, but also the kitchen.

Now, I'm from a large family... but when I tell you that the Navy doesn't kid around, they don't. There was a mixer that looked like a KitchenAid but soooo much bigger.

Sam standing next to the mixer. For reference: Sam's 5'1"

FUN FACTS:

1. The ship's kitchen is called the Galley. It's where food was prepared and cooked for the crew.

2. Over 8 million meals were prepared in the U.S.S North Carolina's Galley.

3. There were 25 cooks and 100 messmen (the messmen performed jobs around the kitchen to help the cooks and serve the food)

4. The cafeteria style mess line was new when the U.S.S North Carolina went to sea. Before that, the crew members sat at tables and were served family style.

For how many people were on the ship, the kitchen actually wasn't as big as I thought it would be. But it was still huge. There was a lot of storage for food, which makes sense since they are away from land for extended amounts of time.

Navigating the ship was difficult for me. I didn't understand the markings on the doors or above the doors. It was all just letters and numbers to me. So TJ explained.

Found above a door near the kitchen storage

NOTE: This is an picture. They have a new way now that's similar.

First number—deck or level number

Second number—ship frame number

Third number—compartment’s position relative to the centerline

Letter(s)—code conveying the purpose of the compartment

The entire experience was a little bit of a workout and I'm glad I tied my boots. There was a lot of walking and high stepping through the doorways. I can imagine you would get in good shape by how much you have to move to get anywhere in there.

Moving down into the rest of the ship, we came across pipes with lines on it that I didn't understand. So we looked a little more and found a key.

It was fascinating that there were so many pipes that they needed to be labeled to prevent any confusion in moments of urgency, or maintenance, etc.

We didn't see all of these examples, but we saw one (pictured above) for fresh water.

Some were labeled pretty similarly, like the waters, which were all green lines but varying numbers of lines.

Then there were the ones that were clearly supposed to stand out. Like the one for gasoline.

We also were able to see a bit of the control side of things. This was all super cool, but I must admit - I didn't understand what I was looking at. But I felt like I was in some sort of sci-fi movie with all the different parts to control a space craft. TJ was super interested by these and seemed to know more about them than me. He tried to explain a bit, but it fell on deaf ears, because I was so overwhelmed with what I was looking at.

The North Carolina was started on October 27th, 1937. It was the first of 10 fast battleships to be built and join the fleet in World War II. The North Carolina had a twin sister, Washington, and together they comprised the North Carolina class.

"Its very power is fascinating. It commands our respect and will help us command the respect of the world. It speaks a language even a dictator can understand."

-- Clyde Hoey, Governor of North Carolina (1937-1941)

The North Carolina was 35,000 tons, and was a "... solid, gleaming symbol of America’s awakening..." (The Young Catholic Messenger, April 25, 1941).

The whole experience was awesome. I definitely recommend going if you can! I also recommend wearing walking shoes or boots you can easily move around in, because there is a lot of walking, stepping over things, and climbing steps/ladders.