While staying at the Briarcliffe RV Resort in South Carolina, we take a drive out to the U.S.S. North Carolina, which is permanently moored in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The battleship, commissioned in 1941, at a build cost of $70,000,000, participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific during World War II.

With a compliment of some 2,300 men: 141 officers, 2,115 enlisted men and 85 marines, and nine 16-inch bad-boy guns, the battleship is equipped for just about every eventuality. It even had a soda bar dispensing sodas, ice-creams and sundaes!

The self-guided tour is excellent but what really made a difference on this battleship is a “Crew’s Memories” section on every information board. The memories are from original members of the crew and really bring alive what life was like serving on the battleship.

After touring the battleship, we head into downtown Wilmington for lunch and a walk around. It is a very trendy, happening area with lots of great restaurants and craft breweries, Mike’s favourite!

In 1961 the people of North Carolina raised sufficient funds to buy and restore the U.S.S. North Carolina which was moved to Wilmington as a tourist destination.

The battleship also carried two Kingfisher scout planes.