10/15/2026
How unique is it that Hotel Ballast has a daily view of this historic relic?
Did you know...The USS North Carolina is one of the most famous American battleships of World War II and a treasured landmark in Wilmington, North Carolina. Originally built for the U.S. Navy, she now serves as a historic museum ship on the Cape Fear River.
In 1961, a statewide fundraising campaign led by North Carolina citizens helped save the battleship from being scrapped. The ship was transferred to the State of North Carolina and dedicated as a memorial and museum in Wilmington on April 29, 1962.
Today, the Battleship North Carolina is one of Wilmington's most visited attractions, allowing guests to explore nine levels of the ship and learn about the sailors who served aboard her during World War II.