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BB-55 USS North Carolina
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| Click On Image For Full Size Image | Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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| Keel Laying - Commissioning / 1937 - April 1941 |
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 | 422k | Proposed Outboard Profile for U.S. Battleships (BB-55 / 56), 4 May 1937. | National Archives Identifier: 31491079 Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov | |
 | 382k | Page 1 of a 2 page letter from Admiral J.M. Reeves, the senior member of the General Board of the Navy Department to Sec.Nav Charles A. Swanson to give to President Franklin D. Roosevelt stating the case for 16" main armament over 14", dated 17 May 1937. FDR did not want the U.S. to be the first power to violate the Washington & London Naval treaties concerning gun limitations. | Photo and text from the article "Gun Calibers & Battle Zones; The USN's Foremost Concern During the 1930's", by Professor Malcolm Muir Jr., courtesy of Warship International, pg. 26. No. 1, 1980. | |
 | 423k | Page 2 of a 2 page letter from Admiral J.M. Reeves, the senior member of the General Board of the Navy Department to Sec.Nav Charles A. Swanson to give to President Franklin D. Roosevelt stating the case for 16" main armament over 14". FDR did not want the U.S. to be the first power to violate the Washington & London Naval treaties concerning gun limitations. | Photo and text from the article "Gun Calibers & Battle Zones; The USN's Foremost Concern During the 1930's", by Professor Malcolm Muir Jr., courtesy of Warship International, pg. 26. No. 1, 1980. | |
 | 170k | Rush plans for new U.S. Battleships. Washington, D.C., 23 June 1937. Scene in Construction and Repair Division of the U.S. Navy Department where plans for the two new 35,000 ton battleships are being rushed to completion. Work on the ships will get underway in four to six months, Charles Edison, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, announced. One will be built at the New York Navy Yard and the other at Philadelphia. | Photo # LC-DIG-hec-22916 & text courtesy of the Harris & Ewing Collection. | |
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NR | DREADNAUGHT RETAINS SUPREMACY AS NAVAL WEAPON Keels Soon Will Be Laid for Battleships North Carolina (BB-55) and Washington (BB-56)—United States and Other Navies Still Regard the Costly Battleship as Most Impregnable Fighting Unit, Aircraft Notwithstanding. |
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 24 July 1937, Image 15, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
 | 145k | New battleship design board. Washington, D.C., 8 October 1937. A special advisory board on battleship plans, which was recently named by Secretary of the Navy Swanson, held their initial meeting at the Navy Department today. The board will be charged with obtaining for the Navy Department the advice of outstanding experts in the principal fields of Naval construction to use in completing the designs of the two new battleships of the North Carolina class (BB-55 / 56) In the photograph, left to right, (sitting): W.F. Gibbs, President of Gibbs and Cox, Inc.; Assistant Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison; and Admiral Joseph Strauss, U.S.N. Standing, left to right: John F. Metton, President, N.Y. Shipbuilding Corp.; Joseph W. Powell, United Shipyards Inc.; and Professor William Hovgaard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. | Photo # LC-DIG-hec-23466 photo & text courtesy of the Harris & Ewing Collection. | |
 | 184k | Navy opens bids for battle wagons. Washington, D.C., 2 November 1938. The Navy opened bids today on construction of three 35,000 ton battleships today, all bids specified that the dreadnaughts be completed within 52 months. The guns, armor plate, and other accessories to be furnished by the Government cost an estimated 15,000,000 dollars per ship. The ships are the first of that size to be built in 15 years. Seated, left. Admiral William Leahy, Chief of Naval Operations, and Sec. of the Navy Claude Swanson, right. Standing - left- Rear Admiral William G. Du Bose, Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair and right- Rear Admiral Charles Conard, Chief of the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts. | Photo # LC-DIG-hec-25307 & text courtesy of the Harris & Ewing Collection. | |
 | 154k | Table of Immunity Zones of a 14" vs a 16" shell in a letter from Admiral J.M. Reeves, the senior member of the General Board of the Navy Department to Sec.Nav Charles A. Swanson to give to President Franklin D. Roosevelt stating the case for 16" main armament over 14". FDR did not want the U.S. to be the first power to violate the Washington & London Naval treaties concerning gun limitations. | Photo and text from the article "Gun Calibers & Battle Zones; The USN's Foremost Concern During the 1930's",by Professor Malcolm Muir Jr., courtesy of Warship International, pg. 27. No. 1, 1980. | |
 | 92k | Model of the North Carolina class (BB-55 / 56) without her propulsion system and skegs, 30 May 1937. | Photo from National Archives & Record Administration (NARA), Record Group (RG-19N) Box 33. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell. | |
 | 94k | Model of the North Carolina class (BB-55 / 56) with her propulsion system and skegs, 30 May 1937. | Photo from National Archives & Record Administration (NARA), Record Group (RG-19N) Box 33. Courtesy of Dan Treadwell. | |
 | NR | Navy Yard Prepares for Making of 16-Inch Battleship Guns | Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo by Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 19 August 1937, Image 23, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
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1.04k | Keel of the North Carolina being laid. | Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). | |
 | 1.23k | Keel laying at New York Navy Yard, NY. Lt Gov. William P Horton driving 2nd rivet, 27 October 1937. Four other photos appear in this five photo PDF of the Keel laying at New York Navy Yard, NY. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
 | 476k | 17 Photo PDF of the turret mock up of the North Carolina class battleships. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
| 1.50k | Outboard profile, General Arangement Plan # 216402 for Battleships of the North Carolina Class (BB-55 / 56), dated 26 September 1939. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 76k | Hull test model for the North Carolina class battleships Hull model numbers 3557, 3556 and 3460, photographed at the Experimental Model Basin, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., 5 October 1938. These models show the "twin skegs", supporting the inboard propeller shafts, that were developed for this battleship design. Flow lines are marked on hull model numbers 3557 and 3556. Copied from the Bureau of Ships monograph "United States Battleship Designs for World War II", dated 1 June 1946. | Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 93907. | |
 015551 | NR | BATTLESHIP MODELS TESTED In the Washington Navy Yard towing basin models of proposed 45,000-ton battleships, which would be the world’s mightiest warships, now are being tested. The development is being conducted secretly and photographs of the models are forbidden. W. H. Gotthardt is shown inspecting another type of hull between runs of the 45,000-ton ships, which are towed by the same carriage. | A .P. photo Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 10 November 1938, Image 50, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
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NR | Comparing Proposed Supership and Biggest Warboat President Roosevelt is studying a recommendation calling for construction of one of the largest and most powerful superdreadnaughts ever launched. Photos above, reduced to scale, show how the 710-foot warship (North Carolina class) would compare with the 624-foot California (BB-44), now the largest battleship in U. S.fleet. Both pictures are of the California. The new 45,000-ton dreadnaught would cost around a hundred million dollars. |
Image and text provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC. Photo from The Times-News. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 19 December 1938, Image 6, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
 | 73k | New York Navy Yard NY. On building ways a few days before launching. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 95k | New York Navy Yard NY. On building ways three days before launching, 11 June 1940. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 2.23k | Preparing for launching, 11 June 1940. | Photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 2.14k | Governor Hoey at the launching. | Photo courtesy of seastories.battleshipnc.com | |
 | 245k | Launching Booklet of the North Carolina (BB-55), 13 June 1940. | Photo contributed by Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 974k | (Original Caption) 6/13/1940- New York, NY: New battleship christened. Miss Isabel Hoey, daughter of the governor of North Carolina, christening the 35,000 ton battleship North Carolina (BB-55) during launching ceremonies at New York Navy Yard, June 13. It was the first battleship laid down for the U.S. Navy since the Washington Naval Conference of 1921. This shot is a wide shot of the bow of the boat, the woman with the bottle spraying, and the Naval audience. | Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images, courtesy of gettyimages.com. | |
 | 191k | Miss Isabel Hoey, daughter of the Governor of North Carolina, makes an impact on the North Carolina (BB-55) on 13 June 1940. | Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). | |
 | 2.31k | Sliding down the building ways, as she is launched at the New York Navy Yard, 13 June 1940. Note the slope of her side armor, angled outward 15 degrees to increase its effective thickness against incoming enemy shells. | Text courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command # NH 44899. Photo courtesy of seastories.battleshipnc.com | |
 | 103k | New York Navy Yard, NY. Rudder rolled into place on rudder post. Steel cable on corner of turn table plate ready to turn rudder to 32° outboard angle so that rudder stock and crosshead may be installed as one unit, 19 August 1940. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 117k | New York Navy Yard NY. 3 gun turret, hook on ready to lift aboard by hammerhead crane, 7 September 1940. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 84k | New York Navy Yard NY. Shipping 3 gun turret, 7 September 1940. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 112k | New York Navy Yard NY. Right Hand gun being lifted off dock for Turret # 2, 9 November 1940. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 79k | New York Navy Yard NY. Lowering gun into Turret #2 between bulkheads, 9 November 1940. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 104k | Brooklyn Navy Yard. Turret #3, 16" gun installation within a few inches of installing yoke, 18 November 1940. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 734k | Bow on view of North Carolina (BB-55) fitting out at the New York Navy Yard circa March-April 1941, about the time she was commissioned. | Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 44715 via Mike Green. | |
 | 123k | North Carolina nearing completion in the New York Navy Yard, 1941. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 374k | Front cover of the North Carolina's (BB-55) Commissioning Program, 9 April 1941. | Photo contributed by Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 1.06k | New York Navy Yard Commandant Adm. Edward J. Marquart speaking on Commission Day, 9 April 1941. Front row seated, left to right: Captain H.V. McKittrick, US Navy (Captain of the NY Navy Yard) Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox Rear Admiral Adolphus Andrews, commandant of the Third Naval District Governor Broughton of North Carolina. | Photo courtesy of Mary Ames Booker, Curator, via battleshipnc.com | |
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246k | Port bow view of North Carolina (BB-55) moored at New York Navy Yard during her commissioning ceremonies on 9 April 1941. | Photographer: George Strock, courtesy of life.com. via Mike Green. | |
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229k | Stern view of North Carolina (BB-55) moored at New York Navy Yard during her commissioning ceremonies on 9 April 1941. | Photographer: George Strock, courtesy of life.com. via Mike Green. | |
 | NR | Uncle Sam's new dreadnought North Carolina (BB-55), mightiest floating fortress of the seas, joins the fleet. Dominating the scene down her deck as the battleship is commissioned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard are those three deep-throated 16-inch guns of the forward turret. She is the first battleship to come into service under the great naval expansion program. | Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo by Evening Star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 20 April 1941, Image 105, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
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176k | Sailors and Navy officers standing beneath the 16-inch rear guns of the battleship North Carolina (BB-55), on the East river after she left the Brooklyn Nay Yard after her commissioning on 9 April 1941. | Photographer: George Strock, courtesy of life.com. | |
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627k | Commissioning Day Envelope. | Photo from the Author's Collection. | |
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703k | First Day In Commission Envelope. | Photo from the Author's Collection. | |
 015501h | 3.30k | 10 April 1941 Newspaper clipping on the North Carolina family of ships. | Photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 015556c | NR | Captains of New Battleships Born to Traditions of Sea CAPT. HOWARD H.J. BENSON & CAPT. OLAF M. HUSTVEDT. | Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 11 April 1941, Image 35, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
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699k | First Ships Church Easter Program, 13 April 1941. | Photo from the Author's Collection. | |
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152k | Builders Plaque. | Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). | |
| Shakedown Cruise & Fitting Out / April 1941 - May 1942 |
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 | 62k | North Carolina (BB-55) fitting out at New York Navy Yard on 17 April 1941. Note anchor board aft of portside anchor in hawse pipe. | Photo # RG-181-ncb-4 from NARA II, College Park, MD. and text provided courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
 | 655k | New York Navy Yard NY, tied up at pier, 17 April 1941. Note that her Main Battery Directors have not been installed yet. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 163k | 18 April 1941: BRITISH AMBASSADOR INSPECTS NEW BATTLESHIP | AP Wire photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory) | |
 | 163k | June 1941, shortly after commissioning. | USNI / USN photo. | |
 | 123k | North Carolina (BB-55) at New York Navy Yard outfitting and on trials. She is wearing Measure12 modified camouflage. Note she carries the darkest color up into her barbettes and 01 level. | USN photo. | |
 | 113k | Photographed during her shakedown period, circa August 1941. | USN photo. | |
 | 365k | Boat handling crane, port side with nested boats between the stacks. Note searchlight at base of forward stack. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 173k | Main Deck, aft, Stb. side, looking Fwd. Note motor boat at left, empty boat cradles at right and 1.1-Inch. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 325k | Port side view of bridge structure with a twin 5-Inch mount at lower right. Note radar antennas. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 197k | View from the bridge showing gun directors, the forward 16-Inch turrets & anchor capstans. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 230k | View of fantail showing the aft 16-inch turret, gun directors, pole main mast, aircraft catapults. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 015502e |
1.20k | DATE 21 JULY 1941 TAKEN BY: UTILITY SQUADRON-4 LOCATION: NEW YORK, N.Y. SUBJECT: AERIAL OF BROOKLYN NAVY YARD, NEW YORK. The North Carolina (BB-55) appears in center right near the slipways. |
Photo i.d. courtesy of Rick Davis & Richard M. Jensen. National Archives Identifier:266695470 Local Identifier: 80-G-410226 Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov. | |
 | 444k | This original 1941 artwork by Navy artist Vernon Howe Bailey is titled "USS Dahlgren & Ericsson at Pier" and is set at the former New York Navy Yard. Pictured are Dahlgren (DD-187) and Ericsson (DD-440) with the then brand new North Carolina (BB-55) in the background. | USN photo # N-0000B-001, courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command / news.navy.mil. | |
 | 568k | Lots of dockyard activity surrounding the North Carolina (BB-55) as she is fitting out. | Drawing by Vernon Howe Bailey & submitted by Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 371k | North Carolina (BB-55) fitting out. | Drawing by Vernon Howe Bailey & submitted by Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 333k | North Carolina (BB-55) fitting out - view of the forward turrets and superstructure. | Drawing by Vernon Howe Bailey & submitted by Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 444k | A motor launch comes alongside the North Carolina (BB-55) while she is at anchor. Note the crew of the 40mm mount by the forward stack at their stations and some of the 5"inch guns in the air defense position. | Drawing by Alan B. Chesley & submitted by Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 332k | In one picture you gain an appreciation of the massive armament of the North Carolina (BB-55). Here you can see some of each of the 16-inch, 5-inch, 40mm & 20mm batteries. | Drawing by Alan B. Chesley & submitted by Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 200k | The North Carolina (BB-55) at anchor 19 or 20 August 1941 in New York harbor just before she leaves for military trials, Measure 12 camouflage. | USN photo submitted by Ron Titus, courtesy of Ingersoll-Rand. Corp. Photo i.d. courtesy of Ron Smith. |
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404k | North Carolina (BB-55) firing a salvo with main battery of 16" guns. | USN photo # 80-G-19087 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
 | 91k | View looking aft from the battleship's bow, showing her forward superstructure and 16"/45 guns. Photographed during her military trials 22-31 August 1941. Note Measure 12 camouflage paint, CXAM-1 radar antenna, anchor chains and deck planking. | Official USN photo Naval History and Heritage Command # 80-G-K-13971, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. | |
 | 343k | Loading drill for a 5-Inch Crew aboard North Carolina (BB-55) was on a daily basis. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 352k | North Carolina (BB-55) firing her forward 16" / 45 gun turret directly ahead during her military trials 26 or 27 August 1941. | From the Collection of Rear Admiral Ret. Jack Bowling, submitted by his grandson, Breck Perkins. Text i.d. courtesy of Ron Smith. |
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 | 430k | This bow shot of the North Carolina (BB-55) at sea, showing the forward deck details. It was taken during her military trials 22 - 31 August 1941. She wears Ms12 camouflage (note the mount card has no date or location, the colors of the ship, blast bags and bright bronze windlasses are the clue....not to mention the several civilians plainly standing on deck....they are physicists from either MIT or David Taylor Model Basin. | USN photo # 80-G-457686 courtesy of Pieter Bakels. Text and photo i.d. courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
 | 352k | Aboard the mighty battleship North Carolina (BB-55) at sea, signalmen are seen hoisting and stowing signal flags in the "Flag Bag". One of the giant searchlights is also shown in the photograph. Photo possibly taken during her military trials 22 - 31 August 1941. | Official USN photo courtesy of Gene Byrnes and entitled "Reg'lar Fellers" in the NAVY submitted by Tom & Harold Kermen. | |
 | 72k | Photographed during her military trials 22 - 31 August, 1941. The battleship is framed by an escorting destroyer's deck, 5"/38 gun barrel and a crewman. | Official USN photo Naval History and Heritage Command # 80-G-K-13972 from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Partial text provided courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
 | 726k | A Kingfisher prepares for launch to port after the battleship has steadied on a course after a right turn. Photographed during her military trials 22 - 31 August, 1941. Note the escorting destroyer acting as a plane guard. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 66k | North Carolina (BB-55) fires her after 16"/45 guns 28 or 29 August 1941 during her military trials." | Official USN photo Naval History and Heritage Command # 80-G-K-13511 now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 546k | Captain Hustvedt & XO on Bridge, 5 September 1941. | AP Wire photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory) | |
 | 530k | Olaf Mandt Hustvedt was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 23 June 1886 to Norwegian immigrant parents. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1909. His first tour of duty was aboard the armored cruiser West Virginia (ACR-5), in which he cruised from the United States West Coast to many ports in East Asia. He then attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., from which he received a Master of Science degree in 1914. In 1914, Hustvedt reported for duty aboard the battleship Utah (BB-31). In 1916, he became a member of the staff of Commander, Battleship Division 6. During World War I, Hustvedt served aboard the battleship New York (BB-34) before transferring in 1918 to the battleship Oklahoma (BB-37) as Oklahoma's gunnery officer. Both battleships saw service in European waters during the war, with New York operating with other American battleships of Battleship Division 9 as the 6th Battle Squadron of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet and with Oklahoma seeing service escorting Allied convoys. Hustvedt was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1921, when he became commanding officer of the light minelayer Burns (DM-11). He was assigned to the battleship Colorado (BB-45) in 1927, and then transferred in 1928 to the battleship California (BB-44) as the gunnery officer of a battleship division of the Battle Fleet. In 1933, Hustvedt was promoted to commander and became executive officer of the heavy cruiser Louisville (CA-28). In 1938 he was promoted to captain and took command of the light cruiser Detroit (CL-8). In 1939 he joined the staff of the Commander, Battle Force, United States Fleet, Admiral James O. Richardson, serving aboard Richardson's flagship, the battleship Pennsylvania (BB-38), as Richardson's operations officer before reporting to the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York, to oversee the fitting out of the new battleship North Carolina (BB-55). He became North Carolina's first commanding officer upon her commissioning on 9 April 1941. On 23 October 1941, Hustvedt became chief of staff for the Commander-in-Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet, Admiral Ernest J. King. | USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
 | 651k | North Carolina (BB-55) final fitting out in New York harbor November - December 1941. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 106k | New York Navy Yard NY. Tied up to dock next to building ways. Measure 12 modified paint, 1 November 1941. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com.
Partial text provided courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
 | 56k | During workups with the aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-8), January 1942. | USN photo # 80-G-11067. Photo i.d. courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
 | 70k | North Carolina (BB-55) inboard profile, 1942. Unlike earlier U.S. battleships, she had a seperate conning tower level for fire control. | Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. | |
 | 89k | The North Carolina (BB-55) in March 1942. The small crosses indicate 0.50-calibere machine gun positions. Line drawing by A.L. Raven. | Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. | |
 | 325k | Bright spot on the North Carolina (BB-55), February 1942 at New York. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
 | 641k | The North Carolina (BB-55) has many links to New York. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
 | 418k | Semi plan view of main deck forward of North Carolina (BB-55), N.Y.N.Y. February 1942. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
 | 413k | Straight up to the sky point the 20mm's of North Carolina (BB-55), N.Y.N.Y. February 1942. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
 | 205k | Stern view, February 1942 at New York. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
 | 395k | Ready service boxes with rivets! February 1942 at New York. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
 | 307k | Various views - February 1942 at New York. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
 | Changing times with more of a bang. During WW I a few U.S. battleships were initially equipped with 4 anti aircraft guns! - February 1942 at New York. The following text as it appears in the accompanying PDF. Gets Anti-Aircraft Guns. New York. - The battleship Nevada (BB-36) will be equipped with four anti-air craft guns. The Pennsylvania (BB-38) also will carry four, and it is said the rest of the larger warships of the Atlantic fleet will mount two each. The Oklahoma (BB-37) now is the only vessel in the navy carrying such weapons. | Image and text provided by Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA. Photo from The Caldwell Watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 18 August 1916, Image 1, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | ||
 | 60k | Outboard profile and plan drawings from a wartime recognition manual, showing the ships (somewhat inaccurately) as fitted late in World War II. Ships of this class were North Carolina (BB-55) and Washington (BB-56). | Courtesy of Joseph M. Radigan (of blessed memory). | |
 | 2.55 | Official caption reads: "Wasp (CV-7) anchored at Scapa Flow about June 1942. Note: Battleships North Carolina (BB-55) and Washington (BB-56) in upper right." Date and location of this photo and the two below, however, are wrong: Rick E. Davis correctly states: "Wasp, North Carolina, Washington, and an unidentified destroyer are seen at anchor in Casco Bay, ME, on 25 March 1942." "From the Deck Logs for Wasp, North Carolina and Washington, Wasp and Washington operated together often in early 1942, however these two were never at the same location with North Carolina except in March 1942 at Casco Bay, ME. Wasp arrived at Casco Bay late on 24 March 1942 with her cruiser and destroyer escorts. She departed with Washington and the other ships that made up TF 39 headed for the UK to be part of the Home Fleet early on 26 March 1942. So the only day that these photos could have been taken was on 25 March 1942." | Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-K-451 courtesy of Rick E. Davis via Fabio Pena. | |
 | 132k | 17 April 1942 overhead basically as completed. Changes from originalcompletion specs include; 20mm gun additions on the main and 01 deck levels, and the replacement of the bridge 12 foot range finder with a fifth quadruple 1.1"/75 gun mount atop the pilot house. At this time she still retained her original 0.50 caliber machine guns. As more 20mm mounts werefitted, the 0.50 guns were eliminated. | USN photo. | |
| June 1942 - 1943 |
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 | 96k | 20mm Oerlikon gun crews beside a 16in turret. | USN photo. | |
 | 231k | Port bow view off Norfolk Navy Yard, 3 June 1942. She now carried measure 12 (modified) camouflage. | Official USN photo # 3246-42, courtesy of David Buell. | |
 | 318k | Starboard view off Norfolk Navy Yard, 3 June 1942. | Official USN photo # 3245-42, courtesy of David Buell. | |
 | 1.35 | North Carolina (BB-55) at anchor, June 1942. She completed her shakedown in the Caribbean prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, and after intensive war exercises, entered the Pacific 10 June 1942. | Photo courtesy of David Buell. Text courtesy of DANFS. | |
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648k | Following the torpedo attack on 6 September 1942, crew members of the North Carolina (BB-55) prepare to commit the bodies of their fellow shipmates to the deep. She returned to Pearl Harbor Navy Yard after the torpedo attack for repairs. | USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
 | 52k | On 6 September 1942, North Carolina (BB-55) maneuvered successfully, dodging a torpedo which passed 300 yards off the port beam. Nine days later, sailing with Hornet (CV-8), North Carolina took a torpedo portside, 20 feet below her waterline, and 6 of her men were killed. But skillful damage control by her crew and the excellence of her construction prevented disaster; a 5.6 degree list was righted in as many minutes, and she maintained her station in a formation at 26 knots. She is pictured here as she comes into Pearl Harbor Navy Yard after the torpedo attack, October 1942. | Photo courtesy of Mike Green, from Leeward Publications "SHIP'S DATA". Photo i.d. courtesy of Ron Smith. Text courtesy of DANFS. | |
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106k | Exterior damage profile showing the torpedo hit hull location on the North Carolina (BB-55) suffered on 15 September 1942. | Source: Navy Department Library War Damage Report No. 61, North Carolina Torpedo Damage; Solomon Islands, 15 November, 1942, courtesy of Mike Green. | |
 | 96k | Portside damage from Japanese submarine I-15 torpedo (21-inch/oxygen propelled). Photo taken 11 October 1942 at Pearl Harbor where permanent repairs were done. | USN photo. | |
 | 596k | The North Carolina (BB-55) silhouetted by the sunset off Hawaii on 15 October 1942. | USN file number GS-SIL-35-13297. It is also stamped, "NACTC RECOGNITION PHOTO NO. 060". Photo courtesy of David Buell. | |
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147k | General view of the port bow torpedo damage on the North Carolina (BB-55), as viewed looking down from the dry dock sill at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. | Source: Navy Department Library War Damage Report No. 61, North Carolina Torpedo Damage; Solomon Islands, 15 November, 1942, courtesy of Mike Green. | |
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210k | Looking up and aft from the dry dock floor at the torpedo hole in the side of the hull shell of the North Carolina (BB-55). | Source: Navy Department Library War Damage Report No. 61, North Carolina Torpedo Damage; Solomon Islands, 15 November, 1942, courtesy of Mike Green. | |
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564k | 4 Photo PDF of sectional and elevation hull diagrams of North Carolina torpedo damage from a torpedo hit on 15 September 1942 off Guadalcanal. The complete report can be found at ibiblio.org |
Source: Navy Department Library War Damage Report No. 61, North Carolina Torpedo Damage; Solomon Islands, 15 November, 1942, courtesy of Mike Green. | |
 | 79k | Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, TH. View of completed repairs from torpedo damage. In drydock #1, 8 November 1942. | NARA (National Archives Record Administration) photo courtesy of battleshipnc.com. | |
 | 396k | Newly equipped with 40mm guns, the North Carolina (BB-55) is shown on 15 November 1942. Note that her forward and after main battery fire controls have different Mark 3 antennas and that a Mark 4 radar has finally been fitted to her after 5-inch director. The heavy bracing of her after main battery director is also visible. | Text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 408k | 40mm installation on stern, 15 November 1942. | USN photo #3110-44, courtesy of David Buell. | |
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782k | Bow view of the North Carolina (BB-55) & stern at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard on 16 November 1942. | Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. ARC 512915 via Mike Green. | |
 | 360k | 16 November 1942 entering Pearl Harbor. | USN photo s # 80-G-16707 & 16708 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
 | 199k | Captain Wilder Dupuy Baker was the commanding officer of the battleship North Carolina (BB-55) from 5 December 1942 to 27 May 1943. Early in the Second World War he helped create the Antisubmarine Warfare Operational Research Group (ASWORG). He commanded cruiser-destroyer forces in the Aleutians and amphibious forces in the invasion of Saipan. He later was chief of staff of Task Force 38 under McCain. Together with Captain "Jimmy" Thach, McCain's operations officer, they devised tactics for using picket destroyers with combat air patrols to defend against kamikaze attacks. | Official Photograph of the U.S. Navy via Bill Gonyo. | |
 | 57k | North Carolina (BB-55) at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard after completion of torpedo damage repairs. After final work and repainting into Measure 21 camouflage, the ship will be ready for sea. | Courtesy of Mike Green from Leeward Publications "SHIP'S DATA". | |
 | 111k | Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for Camouflage Measure 32v11, Design 18D intended for the battleship North Carolina (BB-55), circa 1943. This plan shows the ship's starboard side, superstructure ends, and exposed decks. | Official USN photo # 80-G-157056, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 118k | Drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for Camouflage Measure 32v11, Design 18D intended for the battleship North Carolina (BB-55), circa 1943. This plan shows the ship's port side, superstructure ends, and exposed decks. | Official USN photo # 80-G-157057, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 127k | Drawing prepared circa 1943 by the Bureau of Ships forCamouflage Measure 32v6, Design 10D intended for battleships of the North Carolina class (BB-55 / 56) This plan shows the ship's starboard side, bow, stern, superstructure ends and exposed decks. This design was not used on any ship of this class. | Official USN photo # 80-G-156817, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 109k | Drawing prepared circa 1943 by the Bureau of Ships forCamouflage Measure 32v6, Design 10D intended for battleships of the North Carolina class (BB-55 / 56) This plan shows the ship's port side, bow, stern, superstructure ends and exposed decks. This design was not used on any ship of this class. | Official USN photo # 80-G-156816, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 80k | West Virginia (BB-48) prepares to leave Pearl Harbor on 30 April 1943, en route to the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, for reconstruction. The Pearl Harbor Navy Yard had just finished temporary repair of the damage she had received in the Japanese attack of 7 December 1941. The battleship in the left background is North Carolina (BB-55). | Official USN photo Naval History and Heritage Command # 80-G-K-572, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 479k | A painting by the artist Wayne Scarpaci entitled Battleship North Carolina (BB-55), circa August 1943. In the background is the Enterprise (CV-6). The aircraft is an OS2U from the North Carolina. | Photo and text courtesy of artbywayne.com | |
 | 54k | Photo taken on 5 August 1943, near Pearl Harbor following repair and refit. She now wears measure 21 camouflage. | USN photo. | |
 | 55k | Underway at sea during the Gilberts Operation, circa November 1943. Note: This image's generally good color quality is slightly disfigured by red streak in the sky area. This photo was taken by E. Steichen (two indexes claim either Cowpens (CVL-25) or Saratoga (CV-3), neither is correct). The scheme is Ms32/18d early pattern as evidenced by the black lower panel on the starboard bow and the SK radar (rectangular shape). The red streaks in the sky were due to a contaminated processing roller but the rest of the photo (actually photos in the series) were judged good and acceptable by Steichen. | Official USN photo Naval History and Heritage Command # 80-GK-101, now in the collections of the National Archives. Partial text courtesy of USNHC. Photo i.d. text courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
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615k | North Carolina (BB-55) bombarding Nauru on 8 December 1943. | Source: U.S. Navy, Photo No. unknown via Mike Green. | |
| 1944 - 1945 |
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209k | The battleships South Dakota (BB-57), Alabama (BB-60) and North Carolina (BB-55) as seen from the Essex class carrier Intrepid (CV-11) on 25 January, 1944. | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 182k | Underway in Ms32/18d early pattern (radar is the clue). Taken by Intrepid CV-11 photographer on 25 January 1944. She received this camouflage scheme in September 1943 at Pearl Harbor. (Note the Fletcher-class Destroyer in the distance). | USN photo # 80-G-227112 courtesy of David Buell. Photo i.d. text courtesy of Ron Smith. |
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 | 392k | On 30 April 1944, ten naval aviators were rescued in the vicinity of Truk Atoll by North Carolina's (BB-55) planes after they were catapulted to rescue an American aviator downed off the reef. After one plane had turned over on landing and the other, having rescued all the airmen, had been unable to take off with so much weight, Tang (SS-306) saved all involved. The next day North Carolina destroyed coast defense guns, antiaircraft batteries, and airfields at Ponape. The battleship then sailed to repair her rudder at Pearl Harbor. | Drawing by Edward T. Gromane, LTCR USNR, & submitted by Pieter Bakels. Partial text courtesy of DANFS. | |
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356k | Four Battleships of Task Group 58.7 in the fleet anchorage at Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands. It was taken on the 7/8/44. TG 58.7 had returned to Majuro on 27 June 1944, after taking part in operations in the Philippine Sea and bombarding Saipan and Tinian. The four Battleships are identifiable by their paint schemes: New Jersey (BB-62) and Iowa (BB-61) in the foreground, and Washington (BB-56) and North Carolina (BB-55) further back, surrounded by destroyers and other ships. The resolution of the photo is not that great, but the photo is of interest due to the number of Battleships in one frame. |
Photo i.d. & text research courtesy of Larry Reese. Official USN photo via Acme Newspictures, Inc. courtesy of David Buell. |
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 | 52k | North Carolina (BB-55) operating off Saipan in June 1944. Note the camouflage pattern applied to her port side. This image has been cropped to emphasize the ships and their camouflage patterns. | Official USN photo # 80-G-K-1794, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 | 77k | Oil on canvas painting by the artist Anthony Saunders entitled "North Carolina, Saipan Bound." By June 1944 the US Fleet had made a huge leap across the Pacific to the Mariana's, a small group of Japanese held islands of which Saipan would prove the most difficult to overcome. The landing were supported by the US 5th Fleet, which included North Carolina (BB-55) together with an increasingly powerful armada of battle hardened warships. The destroyer La Vallette (DD-448) is alongside. | Text and drawing courtesy of naval-art.com | |
 | 332k | A painting by Navy Combat Artist Dwight Shepler depicts alert firemen urging on their boilers as the bridge signals for full speed to evade Japanese planes. | Drawing by Alan B. Chesley & submitted by Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 456k | North Carolina (BB-55) and a accompanying aircraft carrier by the artist C.G.Evers. | Drawing by C.G. Evers & submitted by Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 57k | Captain Frank George Fahrion was the commanding officer of the battleship >North Carolina (BB-55) from 6 September 1944 to 26 January 1945. | Photo from the Naval Historical Foundation via Bill Gonyo. | |
 | 55k | North Carolina (BB-55) anchored off the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington, 24 September 1944. She is painted in what may be a variant of Camouflage Measure 32, Design 18D, or Ms32/18D (the late pattern as evidenced by the grey panel on the lower starboard bow and SK-2 radar, bowl shaped). | Official USN photo # NH 104850, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Photo i.d. courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
 | 74k | Underway in Puget Sound, September 1944. | USN photo. | |
 | 442k | Stern view, starboard side off the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington, 24 September 1944. | USN photo #3110-44, courtesy of David Buell. | |
 | 266k | 24 September 1944 photo of the ship after refit at Puget Sound Navy Yard. In this refit she received 5-bladed inboard props, upgraded fire control, SK-2 radar, numerous repairs for maintenance and a slightly different version of Ms32/18d with much neater lines. | USN photo courtesy of David Buell. Text courtesy of Ron Smith. | |
 | 82k | The North Carolina (BB-55) underway near Puget Sound Navy Yard, September, 1944. | USN photo. | |
 | 56k | North Carolina (BB-55) with DM-32 riding shotgun on 8 October 1944. Note the mine rails. | BuAer photo # 283556 courtesy of David Buell. | |
 | 466k | North Carolina (BB-55) at Ulithi anchorage in the Palau Islands on 21 November, 1944. Photo taken by air craft from the Essex (CV-9). | USN photo # 80-G- 270707, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert | |
 | 678k | North Carolina (BB-55) , November, 1944. | USN photo # 80-G- 270708, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
 | 71k | The oiler Neches (AO-47) refueling the North Carolina (BB-55) at sea on 30 November 1944. The North Carolina wears the early pattern Ms32/18d. | USN photo # 80-G-263905. Photo i.d. & partial text courtesy of Ron Smith & John Chiquoine via Gary Priolo. | |
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522k | 30 November 1944: Refueling Sargent Bay (CVE-83) at sea from the Neches (AO-47), North Carolina (BB-55) also fueling from Neches and passing empty shell cases to the oiler. | USN photo # 80-G-321489 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
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570k | Task Group 38.3 beginning to reform a column formation after making a simultaneous turn to port. The ships are entering Ulithi Anchorage on 12 December 1944 after strikes against the Japanese in the Philippines. Ships visible in this photo are: Langley (CVL-27); Ticonderoga (CV-14); Washington (BB-56); North Carolina (BB-55); South Dakota (BB-57); Santa Fe (CL-60); Biloxi (CL-80); Mobile (CL-63) and Oakland (CL-95). | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
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455k | Task Group 38.3 enters Ulithi anchorage in column, 12 December 1944 while returning from strikes on targets in the Philippines. Ships are (from front): Langley (CVL-27); Ticonderoga (CV-14); Washington (BB-56); North Carolina (BB-55); South Dakota (BB-57); Santa Fe (CL-60); Biloxi (CL-80); Mobile (CL-63) and Oakland (CL-95). | Official USN photo # 80-G-301351 & HN-SD-97-00850 now in the collections of the National Archives. Photo from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. | |
 | 1.20k | Task Group 38.3 enters Ulithi anchorage in column, 12 December 1944 while returning from strikes on targets in the Philippines. Ships are (from front): Ticonderoga (CV-14); Washington (BB-56); North Carolina (BB-55); South Dakota (BB-57); Santa Fe (CL-60). | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
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575k | TG.38.3 entering Ulithi on 12 December 1944, taken by Essex (CV-9), & showing the Ticonderoga (CV-14); Washington (BB-56); North Carolina (BB-55); and South Dakota (BB-57). | USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. |  |
88k | Battleships of the U.S Pacific Fleet following Ticonderoga (CV-14) (out of photo ahead of the Washington (BB-56)) entering Ulithi Atoll on 12 December 1944. Washington, North Carolina (BB-55), and South Dakota (BB-57) are in line ahead formation. Note that three camouflage schemes are shown; MS22 (Washington), MS32/18d (North Carolina) and MS21 (South Dakota). | Naval Historical Photo #80-G-301950 submitted by Mike Green. |
 | 254k | Always protecting the vulnerable carriers with her massive fire power, North Carolina (BB-55) is seen here taking green seas over her bows while operating with TG.38.3 on 12 December 1944. | Official USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 254k | North Carolina (BB-55) pitching in heavy seas while screening Task Force 38.3 off the Philippines, 12 December 1944. | Official USN photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 274k | Our mightiest ship has trough going at sea. This is how North Carolina (BB-55) appeared to the photographer who made this photograph while he was being transferred from a destroyer to the battleship. Photograph received 1950. | Official USN photograph # 80-G-456506 now in the collections of the National Archives, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy via flickr.com. | |
 | 109k | The North Carolina (BB-55) in 1945. Line drawing by A.L. Raven. | Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. | |
 | 47k | North Carolina (BB-55) firing her forward sixteen-inch guns while bombarding Iwo Jima, circa 19-22 February 1945. | Official USN photo # NH 44725. | |
 | 320k | The oiler Taluga (AO-62) refueling North Carolina (BB-55), March 1945. | LaVack picture courtesy of Tommy Trampp. | |
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325k | Strikes on targets in the Japanese home islands laid the ground work for the Okinawa assault, in which North Carolina (BB-55) played her dual role, of bombardment and carrier screening. | Text courtesy of DANFS. Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com |
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310k | July 1945, off the coast of Japan. Crewmen touching up the camouflage counter shading on the barrels. Notice the canvas coverings on the main battery that are used during action, instead of the decorative brass tampions used to protect the barrels in peacetime. Crewmen painting while perched on 16" guns of the North Carolina (BB-55). The Randolph CV-15) appears on the left. | USN photo s # 80-G-469984 & 469985 by B. Gallagher, now in the collection of the US National Archives in College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
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332k | July 1945, off the coast of Japan. North Carolina (BB-55) & the Randolph CV-15) appears on the left. | USN photo # 80-G-469988 by B. Gallagher, now in the collection of the US National Archives in College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
 | 88k | Cleaning the main battery barrels, July, 1945. Note the camouflage counter shading on the barrels. | USN photo. | |
 | 236k | North Carolina (BB-55) is pictured here as she rides at anchor in 1945. | USN photo # 7007-43, courtesy of David Buell. | |
| Postwar - 1961 |
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2.60k | Enterprise (CV-6) (foreground), Washington (BB-56) (behind Big E) and North Carolina (BB-55) (only stack tops visible), docked in Balboa Inner Harbor, prior to transiting the Panama Canal, October 1945. | Photo & text courtesy of Arnold W. Olson via Joel Shepherd & cv6.org, submitted by Mike Green. | |
 | 602k | Dated 11 October 1945 "North Carolina (BB-55) Task Force 11 transiting the Panama Canal on return from Pacific combat operations." The tight fit of the Canal's locks are evident here and this width limited the beam of United States battleships on 'all' classes, except the proposed, but never built, Montana class (BB-67 / 71) of 1940. Note the shadow of the PBY that probably took this photo. | USN photo # CS 16899 courtesy of David Buell. | |
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1.09k | Battleship New Mexico (BB-40) being brought into Boston Navy Yard on 17 October 1945. The North Carolina (BB-55) anchored there also, and after overhaul at New York exercised in New England waters and carried Naval Academy midshipmen for a summer training cruise in the Caribbean. | Partial text courtesy of DANFS. Photo 08_06_022495 courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection via Sean Hert & Mike Green via flickr.com. | |
 | 555k | Starboard view, circa 1946, after a refit where most of her light AA battery has been removed. | USN photo # 80-G-373226 courtesy of David Buell. | |
 | 305k | North Carolina (BB-55) dry docked at New York Navy Yard during a refit, 1947. | Source: US Navy photo courtesy of Mike Green. | |
 | 687k | The photo caption notes that the North Carolina (BB-55) is picturered here from an altitude of 300 feet, and was developed by the NAS NYNY Photographic Laboratory. | USN photo courtesy of David Buell. Caption is NYNY # 11306-6-46. Photo courtesy of David Buell. | |
 | 335k | North Carolina (BB-55) is tugged away into mothballs. | USN photo courtesy of David Buell. | |
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210k | Bow view of the North Carolina (BB-55) & Washington (BB-56) in reserve at Bayonne, New Jersey on 2 February 1950. | Photographer: Herbert Gehr, courtesy of life.time.com | |
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37k | North Carolina (BB-55) & Washington (BB-56) in reserve at Bayonne, New Jersey on 25 February 1951. Note the weathered and peeling paint work as well as the light metal "igloos" covering the ships light AA weapons (Treasure Island Museum-SFCB). | Photo courtesy of Warship Boneyards, by Kit and Carolyn Bonner & submitted by Robert Hurst. | |
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517k | The North Carolina (BB-55) in mothballs (in the background). | Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). | |
 | 112k | Bayonne Naval Supply Depot, New Jersey. Photographed on 15 April 1953 with ships in reserve. The two large ships at right on the near side of the peninsula are Alaska (CB-1) and Guam (CB-2). The next two ships astern are North Carolina (BB-55) and Washington (BB-56). Further astern are (from outboard to inboard) Fargo (CL-106), Albemarle(AV-5) and Wakefield (AP-21). The carriers Enterprise(CV-6) and Franklin (CV-13) are at the far left. Also present are the escort carriers Card (CVE-11), Croatan (CVE-25),Mission Bay (CVE-59), and Guadalcanal (CVE-60) along with the cruisers Providence (CL-82), Little Rock (CL-92), Spokane (CLAA-120) and Fresno (CLAA-121). One of the two CLAAs is tied up outboard of the Alaskas. | Official USN photo Naval History and Heritage Command # 80-G-480262, now in the collections of the National Archives. | |
 015557n | NR | Navy Plunges Into Missiles Era, Leaving Battleships at the Dock LADY IN WAlTlNG Battleship North Carolina (BB-55) may come out of mothballs only to be cut up for scrap. | Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 09 June 1957, Image 27, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
 015561h | NR | Let's bring the NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) HOME! A Great Ship is Ours for the Saving! | Image and text provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC. Photo from The Chapel Hill Weekly. [volume] (Chapel Hill, N.C.) 1923-1972, 01 June 1961, Image 2, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
 | 80k | Mothball Fleet, Bayonne N.J., August 1961. The stern of the New Jersey (BB-62) or Wisconsin (BB-64) is visible off the North Carolina's (BB-55) bow. The aircraft carrier ahead of her is the Franklin (CV-13). | Richard Leonhardt. | |
 015543 | NR | The retired battleship North Carolina (BB-55) is shown in ceremony at Bayonne, N. J., yesterday in which it was presented to Gov. Terry Sanford of North Carolina for use as a permanent memorial. The picture was taken from aboard the battleship New Jersey (BB-62). | AP Wirephoto. Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 07 September 1961, Image 3, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
 | 68k | "Heading Home", the ship is towed from the inactive reserve storage facility at Bayonne, New Jersey to her present and final home at Wilmington, North Carolina. | Photo from the Author's Collection. | |
 | 295k | The ship is being towed up the Cape Fear River to her final and present day berthing. The actual date of the photo is October 1961, but it is not listed on the photo. As you can see on the photo, two 40mm quadruple mounts were removed before decommissioning, her catapults are gone. When she was decommissioned, she only carried her port catapult, the starboard one having been landed at her post-war refit at New York Navy Yard. Her aircraft crane at the stern was stored in its lowered position. The two original boat cranes, next to the aft stack, have been removed too. | February, 1962 National Geographic Magazine. | |
| 1962 - Present |
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 015502d | 2.43k | Igloos formerly of the North Carolina (BB-55) in 1962 and now. | Photo courtesy of facebook.com via Yu Chu. | |
 015555d | 355k | 19 page PDF of the North Carolina's (BB-55) history. | USN photo s courtesy of Tommy Trampp. | |
 015533 | 1.93 | 5 page PDF circa early 1960's of the North Carolina (BB-55). | USN photo s courtesy of Tommy Trampp. | |
 | 246k | A port quarter view of the battleship North Carolina (BB-55) on 9 October 1988. | USN photo # DN-ST-89-00322, by Don S. Montgomery, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. | |
 | 212k | A port bow view of the battleship North Carolina (BB-55) on 9 October 1988. | USN photo # DN-ST-89-00321, by Don S. Montgomery, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. | |
 | 371k | A quote made by Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz is inscribed on a granite wall at the National World War II Memorial located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Fleet Adm. Nimitz was the United States signatory to the surrender terms aboard the battleship Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay, Japan on 2 September 1945, thus ending World War II. Established by the American Battle Monuments Commission, the memorial honors all military veterans of World War II, the citizens on the home front, the nation at large, and the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the nation's call to arms. On 29 May 2004, the memorial was formally dedicated with an estimated 200,000 people expected to attend, and includes 100,000 visiting veterans of all wars. | USN photo # N-0295M-011 by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain, courtesy of news.navy.mil. | |
 | 64k | Bridge of the North Carolina (BB-55), 1994. | Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired). | |
 | 168k | The following 10 photos were taken by Robert Hall during a visit to the North Carolina (BB-55), Spring 2004. The first photo features the Barber shop. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 106k | Steam turbine and main gear reduction. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 99k | Cobbler shop. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 114k | Officr's ward room. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 200k | Pipe identification markings. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 101k | Plotting room. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 83k | Powder magazine. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 80k | Print shop. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 91k | Throttle board. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 254k | Diary excerpts. | Courtesy of Robert Hall. | |
 | 376k | A guest studies a painting depicting the history of battleships. The artwork was painted by George Skybeck and presented to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association during their annual banquet at Honolulu, Hawaii, on 8 December 1991. | USN photo # DN-SC-92-05391, by PHC Carolyn Harris, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. | |
 | 124k | Gun Director Mk.40 aboard North Carolina (BB-55) in 1993. Note periscope Mk.32,the target bearing transmitter and target designator above the training gear drive. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 185k | Kingfisher aircraft & crane. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 192k | Picture taken of the North Carolina's (BB-55) Combat Information Center (CIC), October 2003. In this picture you can see from right to left the SG radar, VF Radar repeater, and VC Radar repeater. | Courtesy of Joe Hood, USS North Carolina Living History Crew (LHC). | |
 | 188k | Picture taken of the North Carolina's (BB-55) Combat Information Center (CIC), October 2003. In this picture you can see the Vertical Plot, center of the picture, with status boards left and right. In front from right to left is the CIC's horizontal plot, VG Radar repeater, and DRT. | Courtesy of Joe Hood, USS North Carolina Living History Crew (LHC). | |
 | 198k | A control panel in one of North Carolina's (BB-55) four engine rooms, August 2004. | Courtesy of Joe Hood, USS North Carolina Living History Crew (LHC). | |
 | 229k | North Carolina (BB-55) after 16 inch gun turret and after superstrucuture was taken in August 2004. In this picture you can barely see the Measure 32 Camouflage scheme on the gun turrets and superstructure. | Courtesy of Joe Hood, USS North Carolina Living History Crew (LHC). | |
 | 91k | North Carolina's (BB-55) record of awards and scorecard of Japanese planes & ships downed and islands bombarded during her WW II career. | Photo contributed by Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 115k | Overall view of the North Carolina (BB-55) Memorial in Wilmington North Carolina. | Photo by Jim Doane and contributed by Robert M. Cieri. | |
 | 180k | Note the different design of her conning tower, taken in 1993 at her 1st. Superstructure Deck level. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 106k | Main Deck Level. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 104k | Looking up at her Foretop from Main Deck Level. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 203k | Amidship's view of the North Carolina (BB-55). | Photo courtesy of Karson Snyder. | |
 | 71k | Broadside view of the North Carolina (BB-55). | Photo courtesy of Karson Snyder. | |
 | 225k | 25,883 pounds of North Carolina's (BB-55) anchor on display. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 480k | Looking down the length of North Carolina (BB-55) main battery and 20mm armament plus anchor chain assembly & housing. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 240k | Engineering Spaces & air filter. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 145k | Engineering Spaces & vent supply. | Photo courtesy of Pieter Bakels. | |
 | 743k | Fireworks illuminate the skies over Battleship North Carolina (BB-55) capping week long celebrations surrounding the commissioning the newest Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine North Carolina (SSN-777) on 3 May 2009. North Carolina will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a member of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. | USN photo # N-7441H-001 by Mass Communication Specialist 2ND Class Roadell Hickman, courtesy of navy.news.mil. | |
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275k | North Carolina (BB-55) in the early morning. | Photo courtesy of Yu Chu. | |
| Commanding Officers | ||
| 01 | CAPT. Hustvedt, Olaf Mandt, USN (USNA 1909) :VADM | 09.04.1941 - 23.10.1941 |
| 02 | CAPT. Badger II, Oscar Charles, USN (USNA 1911) :ADM | 23.10.1941 - 01.06.1942 |
| 03 | CAPT. Fort, George Hudson, USN (USNA 1912) :VADM | 01.06.1942 - 05.12.1942 |
| 04 | CAPT. Baker, Wilder DuPuy, USN (USNA 1914) :VADM | 05.12.1942 - 27.05.1943 |
| 05 | CAPT. Thomas, Frank Pugh, USN (USNA 1914) :RADM | 27.05.1943 - 06.10.1944 |
| 06 | CAPT. Fahrion, Frank George, USN (USNA 1917) :ADM | 06.10.1944 - 28.01.1945 |
| 07 | CAPT. Colclough, Oswald Symister, USN (USNA 1921A) :VADM | 28.01.1945 - 15.06.1945 |
| 08 | CAPT. Hanlon, Byron Hall, USN (USNA 1921) :ADM | 15.06.1945 - 01.02.1946 |
| 09 | CAPT. O'Brien, Timothy Joseph, USN :RADM | 01.02.1946 - 27.06.1947 |
The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.
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