The USS North Carolina is a World War II battleship in Wilmington NC which now serves as a memorial to the 10,000+ North Carolinians who died in the conflict.

She was commissioned on April 9, 1941 and had a crew of over 2200 men. She was the first battleship to enter Pearl Habor after the attack there, and served in every major navel offensive in the Pacific, earning 15 battlestars. Throughout the war, only 10 of her crew were lost.

Today, she sits in the Cape Fear River, restored and open to public. Visitors can explore above and below her decks and inside her massive 16" gun turrets. With imagination, one can still see and hear the battles in which she fought. Flat, faceless figures stand at battlestations, as if they are the ghosts of those who served.

Plan on spending at least a half day onboard "The Showboat" for an experience you will not forget.