Throwback Thursday: 1989 tourism boom, port protests, and basketball hooky in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — This week’s Throwback Thursday revisits March 1989, a period when Wilmington was experiencing economic growth, labor unrest, and a little bit of basketball fun.

Tourism was booming in New Hanover County that year, even in the off-season. Local businesses reported an increase in visitors compared to the previous year.

“This month we’re about 30 percent better at the end of March ’89 than we were at the end of March of ’88,” one battleship worker said.

Industry experts credited the boost to increased advertising and favorable weather, with many local attractions, including the Battleship North Carolina, drawing visitors throughout the spring.

The month also saw protests at the Port of Wilmington after longshoremen learned that non-union workers had been hired.

“We want to see that no non-union labor come into this port. That’s what we want, to stop this operation. Either honor us, or get out,” one protester said.

The dispute escalated to arrests, violence, and even rocks being thrown at reporters covering the story.

Finally, the segment revisited an ongoing local tradition: skipping work to watch basketball, sometimes referred to as “basketball hooky.” Residents were caught enjoying the court action during working hours, and even WWAY reporters admitted to taking part.

“John, if you would take this tape back to the station for me, tell Rich and Stella that I’m real tied up down here, I need to get a little background on this story, ok? Alright, cover for me now!” one reporter said.

The segment is part of a new weekly Throwback Thursday series that will feature stories from WWAY’s historical news archives. That archive can be accessed here.