Major restoration projects ahead for Battleship North Carolina

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Major restoration projects are planned for the Battleship North Carolina as crews work to preserve the historic ship ahead of its centennial in 2037.

The work includes replacing steel, restoring the ship’s guns and opening more areas of the Battleship to the public.

Plans also call for eventually moving the Battleship to dry dock for more extensive restoration work, along with building a new museum and making improvements to Battleship Park.

The park currently experiences flooding during high water. Plans include raising the park to make the area more accessible to visitors.

Altogether, restoring and dry docking the ship, building the new museum and improving the park are currently estimated to cost around $175 million.

Battleship North Carolina Executive Director Jay Martin said preserving the ship will require increasing attention as it gets older and approaches its centennial.

“Ships, houses, all kinds of historic structures need constant care and restoration, and our ship has, over the years, received much care, but it needs a much higher level as it gets older,” Martin said.

The Battleship is also preparing for the possibility of eventually being moved from its current location for dry docking and then returned following the restoration work.

Tune into WWAY for The Battleship Special this Friday on “Good Evening Wilmington” at 5:30pm.