Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The NC Battleship

While we were on vacation a few weeks ago, we drove to Wilmington one day and toured the NC Battleship, a relic from WW2.  The size of this ship is sombering.  I remember touring a battleship as a kid.  One thing that stuck with me is how stuffy and claustrophobic they feel the deeper you get in the bowels of the ship.  That sensation hasn't changed, particularly in the heat of the summer.

We went through every inch that we could.  Below - the boys peek through the "wishing well", where people throw pennies, that drop several stories down through the ship.

Here are some pictures from the kitchen.  The boys stand boy a huge mixer, in the middle is a potato peeling machine, and then the industrial kitchen.

Some of the weapons stored inside the ship.  We were three levels below here, I think.  We got lost a couple of times in the ship.  Yes, it is that big. 

I had fun touring through the medical and isolation wards.  Of course, I had to check out the apothecary jars, since I have my own collection at home. 

A few pictures from the upper part of the ship.  In the top right corner is an interesting compass.  I took so many pictures that I had to compile the best of them into these collages. 
We had a fascinating tour, and didn't emerge from it until a couple of hours later.  The boys thought that touring the battleship was even better than the serpentarium.  It really made an impression on them.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I KNOW the boys enjoyed that tour...it was interesting to see it through your eyes. Cant imagine how huge it is. Hope you have a happy Hump Day!!!

Harry Flashman said...

That sure brings back memories. I used to be stationed at Camp Lejeune, on and off, for many years. I would go down to Wilmington to the Holiday Inn on the water some weekends just to get away from the base. Many times I visited the U.S.S. North Carolina.

I'm glad you took your boys to see it. Now a days, museum pieces like that related to military history are not much of an attraction for a lot of families but I think they are important. They're a link to our past.

Your children certainly do get their share of enriching experiences.

Out on the prairie said...

It served as a home for many. I like open spaces best, but this looks real fun.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

What fun- you always find the neatest places to take your boys. I've always wanted to tour a battleship, but the closest one is down on the gulf in Alabama. We aren't beach folk so I doubt I will ever get to tour one. Thanks for sharing the tour- it was very interesting.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I imagine the boys really enjoyed touring the battleship. I remember touring a submarine once and I would go crazy if I had to be that confined.

TexWisGirl said...

i'd not like living on it. :)

Linda said...

It does look claustrophobic.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

how cool is that!
love
tweedles

Michelle said...

Pretty cool! The photos made an impression on me!

Endah Murniyati said...

That's interesting tour for the kids

Sandee said...

What a great thing to do with the boys. I would have loved this too. History rocks.

Have a fabulous day. ☺

mail4rosey said...

I think it's an awesome thing to tour them. I wouldn't want to be in a war in them though, that's for sure!

Bas. said...

ja daar zullen ze nog wel een poosje van dromen.

Unknown said...

And how! I have a friend who lives in that area and she loves it. What an adventure, and relief to come back to the deck!! :)

An Apel a Day said...

Super fun! We got to go inside old trains a few weeks ago. This looks way cool!

Eat To Live said...

And to think that men used to live on these ships.