My Dad served aboard the showboat’s sister ship, Washington. You hear about the Iowa class in WWII, but the Washington, North Carolina and South Dakota did the heavy lifting early, when the US was on its heels.
Wow that rear deck looks enormous when he's first standing there with the AA gun. That's a beautiful beast of a ship I've had the pleasure of visiting her in Wilmington when we were passing through. Worth every dime we paid. We go hats off for everyone involved in maintaining her. For doing the nobody's-hero work that produces such glorious results. Very proud of you, and of course the sailors and children of sailors who sailed on her. That dazzle camouflage WW2-style paint scheme is gorgeous.
Man the North Carolina is one of if not my favorite US battleship. For an 83 year old ship the showboat still looks fantastic to this day, getting her much deserved rest up in Wilmington. I thank all the brave men who served upon her.
