Battleship North Carolina to host lecture on WWII shipbuilding history
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Battleship North Carolina will host a special evening lecture next week exploring the Cape Fear region’s vital role in World War II shipbuilding.
The program, titled “Launching Liberty: The North Carolina Shipbuilding Co. and Its Ships,” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the ship’s Wardroom.
The lecture will be presented by John Moseley, curator of education and outreach at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport. Moseley will examine the impact of the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, which turned the Cape Fear River into a major center of wartime production during World War II.
Between 1941 and 1946, the shipyard produced 243 vessels, including Liberty ships and cargo carriers that transported troops, equipment, and supplies around the world, playing a key role in supporting Allied forces.
“This story goes beyond the ship,” said Dr. Jay C. Martin, executive director of the Battleship North Carolina. “It’s about the people and industries here at home that made victory possible—and how the Cape Fear region became part of that global effort.”
Organizers say the lecture will highlight not only the ships themselves, but also the workforce and industrial efforts behind one of the region’s most significant historical contributions.
Held aboard North Carolina’s official World War II memorial and a National Historic Landmark, the event offers a fitting setting for a discussion rooted in wartime innovation and service.
Admission is $5 in advance, $8 at the door, and free for Friends members. Space is limited, and advance registration is encouraged.
