USS NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) National Historic Landmark
Also known as: See Also:USS North Carolina (battleship)
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Why it's listed
USS North Carolina is a 728-foot battleship berthed on the Cape Fear River at Wilmington, North Carolina, now used as a museum. Built at the New York Naval Shipyard, she was launched in June 1940 and commissioned in April 1941. She was the first modern American battleship constructed in two decades, built with welded construction, nine 16-inch guns and a streamlined flush deck. Her machinery was arranged in four separate spaces to protect it better. She entered Pearl Harbor in July 1942 as the first of the new battleships to join the Pacific Fleet. At the Battle of the Eastern Solomons that August she escorted the carriers Enterprise and Saratoga, and her heavy anti-aircraft fire showed the value of the fast battleship as a carrier protector. She served against Japan until the 1945 surrender and received 15 battle stars. The ship remains essentially unaltered since 1947, retaining her World War II integrity, and represents the American battleships that fought in the Pacific.
Significance in brief: She was the first modern American battleship built after World War I and the lead ship of a new class combining speed, heavy armament and armor. She was the first new battleship to join the Pacific Fleet, and her anti-aircraft performance at the Eastern Solomons in 1942 helped establish the fast battleship's role as carrier escort. She earned 15 battle stars and has the best war record of any surviving American battleship in the Pacific.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82004893, listed November 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W bank of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington |
|---|---|
| County | New Hanover County |
| Listed | November 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004893 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1941-1945 |
| Architect / builder | Brooklyn Navy Yard |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 14, 1986 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Stated to be in excellent condition and essentially unaltered since being mothballed in 1947; the form lists present use as a museum and the property as occupied. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Wilmington Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 34.23683, -77.94256 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82004893.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q727245
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.