Special Episode: Virtual tour of USS North Carolina (BB-55)

[@geneziemba9159]

Seth, it was great to meet you during your visit. The best part was when my fellow tour guides were clustered around you like Swifties. Thanks for the kind words, and hope to see you again

[@coolhand3328]

If you work abroad North Carolina, it looks like you fine folks are doing an amazing job. My sincere thanks for keeping our history alive through this beautiful lady.

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

I was on North Carolina 52 years ago. A unique experience for an 18 year old. I enjoy all of your videos. Thanks.

[@Digmen1]

The camera work was just fine.

[@F4FWildcat]

Great tour Seth. The North Carolina’s condition is incredible! It looks like she will put to sea tomorrow. By the way, you just keep braggin on that boy of yours. 😊

[@TerryNelson-k6t]

Walking where Willis Lee walked has to be thrilling!

[@kmill5009]

My wife and I visited the North Carolina back in 2017. Such a beautiful ship. Definitely worth the trip. Hats off to the crew who maintain her. They do a tremendous job.

[@marlinhead]

As a native North Carolnian I am so glad you took your son to see our ship. Good job. I love your channel and got onto it. Researching what my father did ❤❤in wwII (army hit the beach in Anzio) and my mother was a wac. I look forward to your episodes coming out thanks to Capt. Bill also and all your guest. It is very interesting and I am a big fan. As a fellow Eagles scout congrats to your son. I have also enjoyedthe books you recommend and I am a Willis Lee fan among others thanks to your podcast!

[@brendanlowrey4248]

Thanks Seth and son for the great tour. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I strongly recommend this video for viewers just discovering the podcast to watch this video early in your binge watching as Seth and Bill often describe actions and events occurring in different parts of a battleship during specific actions. Having a great visual tour of all the significant parts of the ship helps a viewer relate to the excellent commentary provided by Seth and Bill and other guests. It has helped me visualize those events better as I imagine the men and the deeds described much more visually. This also goes hand in hand with Bill's submarine tour providing a good reference for those of us who are less familiar with the structures of ships and submarines. As an ex-army guy I can instantly visualize in my mind's eye an infantryman's place in a land battle but struggle to visual a seaman's perspective.

[@flparkermdpc]

ALL IS SOO TIDY,and buttoned down, it is really a cringe to imagine the havoc one of those 16" shells would do to all this tidiness and organization! Of any ship.

[@williamcarroll2903]

Great video Sir My father Harry Carroll was a signalman on the N Carolina throughout all of WW2. My 11 yo daughter and I watched your video together and loved it. We waited patiently for you to reach the signalmans area of the ship in the video so I could show her where her Papa spent the war (and years 17 through 20 of his life) . I must admit, I was slightly disappointed that you just breezed through the signalmans area because there is a lot more history in that spot than one could ever imagine...... My father told us how he and the other signal men slept in those boxes that held the flags. They all took turns day and night. This only happened after the ship was torpedoed. None of them wanted to go below deck ever again. Hair cuts would take place up there and the men would flip coins to see who would go below deck to grab the grub. But how could anyone ever know, right? I'm thinking of contacting the museum and telling them of this little bit of history that may fade away with time. Thanks for this great video and bringing me and my daughter back to my fathers youth.....

[@Digmen1]

My hat always goes off to the men that designed these ships and all of the equipment in them. In those days it was all drawn by hand, and to think of the mental qualities needed to envisage this.

[@koopanique]

Exactly! It's so crazy how these ships were being designed and built in a pre-computer era. All those mechanisms, cables, pipes, all the qualifications required, all the things you have to think about... Absolutely amazing feats of technology

[@DavidFranklin-fu7st]

Yes, yes, yes.

[@larrytischler570]

That is one reason they had so many different classes of BBs. Only small changes were made each time except for the last ones. They stabbed around in the dark a lot then incorporated British, other design features. They finally made fast, heavy and beautiful ships, by hand drawings.

[@mikemarvela]

@@Digmen1 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡

[@AdmiralYeti8042]

She looks like she could sail out tomorrow with the right fuel and do battle again. She’s fantastic, thanks for this.

[@rickteklits6872]

Seth thanks for sharing this awesome video. My dad took me to see the North Carolina in 1974 and I have loved her ever since. I took my son to visit her in 2005 and my wife and I went to see her in April 2024. Its like stepping into a time capsule. Its great that the staff keeps such good care of her. The Iowa's are no doubt beautiful ships, but it was the North Carolina and South Dakota classes that wrote the book for our fast battleships. I love seeing the lesser known classes get some attention!! They were great ships manned by great men! The North Carolina is just a beautiful vessel!

[@dougm5341]

Seth, she is on my son’s and mine bucket list. I will take him in mid December to see his fourth and final Iowa, the Iowa in Los Angeles. Then drive to Mobile, to see the Alabama.

[@Obergefreiter352]

You're doing it in the wrong order my friend. The most decorated battleship of the war deserves more than last billing.

[@coolhand3328]

Seth, I particularly enjoyed this one. Thank you. All of the "special episodes" have been great, but I'm a ship nerd. Speaking of which, I have been fortunate to visit three battleships so far: Missouri, Alabama, and Texas. The staff of all these vessels do important, amazing, difficult, and mostly thankless work. I appreciate all those folks, and their ships look amazing. I have to say though, USS North Carolina appears to be in even better condition than her peers - at least on video. She is a beautiful ship. Oh, and it was totally cool to see a 1.1" mount. I didn't know there were any in existence, let alone installed on one of our retired battlewagons.

[@Robert-g2b]

Thank you for your service, and the USS BB-55, North Carolina and USS BB-63 MIGHTY "MO" MISSOURI ARE MY FAVORITE BATTLE SHIPS, There is extensive military history in my family lineage from the start of civil war, to the battle of the bulge, great Uncle Virgil Stone served as infantry and tank gunner under General Patton, my uncles Jack and Frank in Korean Conflict, cousin Kenny in Vietnam war, he gave it all for our grateful nation,.. 🇺🇸, Both sides of my family heritage involved the UNION & CONFEDERATE Sides OF THE HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF OUR FAMILIES IN THAT STRUGGLE,.... THE FAMOUS CHARGE OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL, THAT STRUGGLE WAS THE REALITY OF MANY AMERICAN FAMILIES OF THAT ERA,... SPANNING THE VAST PLACES AND SPACES OF TIME AND KEEPING THE SACRED PROMISES OF LIBERTY IN FREEDOM, THE STRUGGLES OF WAR AND CONFLICTS WERE MY FAMILY'S CONNECTION TO GENERAL GEORGE S. PICKETT,,... THE LINEAGES OF MANY FAMILY GIVING SERVICE, LIKE THE FIGHTING SULLIVAN'S,..TROUGH OUT THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, IS IN FAMOUS STORIES OF MANY FAMILY NAMES, THAT GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR A VERY GRATEFUL NATION,,... MY FAMILY'S CONTRIBUTION WAS THE ULTIMATE, TO THE CAUSE AND PURPOSE OF FREEDOM FOR OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,...🇺🇸🙂

[@scottpeters8640]

I am in awe at the sheer amount of effort taken to preserve this beautiful ship. I visited the USS Missouri in 2006 and thoroughly enjoyed the history that I was standing on and looking at, having been reading about that ship since I was maybe 6 or 7 years old. I must tour the USS North Carolina now. Thanks for sharing your visit with us.

[@flparkermdpc]

Now you know why the Navy crew aboard Men 'O War are called SWABBIES! They are doing maintenance most of their days at sea.

[@annrn6148]

I've had the privilege of touring the USS North Carolina & agree with you 100%. She's a beautiful & majestic vessel & so well maintained. The caretakers have every right to be proud of their work.

[@michaelholt8590]

My family visited the North Carolina in 1990 when I was 10 years old. As a hillbilly kid from Northeast Tennessee who grew up with guns and military veterans in the family, she was the biggest, baddest thing I had ever seen. She looks better now than she did in 90. The curators and volunteers have done an outstanding job. Her WW2 crew would be proud of them all.

[@DavidFranklin-fu7st]

I took this same tour about the same time as did Seth and his son when I was recently vacationing in the beach town of Wilmington. Besides the sandy beaches and time in the ocean, this was the highlight of my visit, something I had been looking forward to for quite a while. The ship is indeed beautiful in the way anything so purposeful can be. A couple of things struck me after I had mulled over my visit. One was that our sailors worked and lived inside a giant cold, hard steel weapon, and only the minimum necessary concessions to maintain human life and working efficiency were tolerated and allowed to take up space that would otherwise be assigned to these giant early 20th century weapons systems. A second thought was that the ship was of an almost impossible to imagine complication of mechanical and electric labyrinths, with thousands upon thousands of switches, cranks, levers, wheels, gears, fuses, panel lights, wires, pipes, buttons, phones, dials, tubes, scopes, mechanical computers of exquisite detail and design, and enormous engines of propulsion and fire power with unimaginable heat and pressure, all maximumly condensed in tight thick steel enclosures. And, mostly 17-24 year old kids were the masters and denizens and, in some sense, temporary inmates of these hardened metal islands designed to blow up whatever was necessary, the biological control mechanisms to work the levers of this enormous power, who were, at the same time they controlled everything, in turn, controlled by it. The young men who sailed these vessels, in their own way, were made nearly as hard as the ships they sailed, and we can only wonder if our nation could bring forth the same kind of people ever again. I hope so. Their sacrifice, and, for some, their deaths, should always be honored by us, who have so benefitted by their work, their fighting spirit, and their bravery.

[@73Trident]

Very well said.

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

@DavidFranklin-fu7st NICE SPEECH....U an adm ? O er & out

[@DavidFranklin-fu7st]

@@sulevisydanmaa9981 No....iM no t .

[@flparkermdpc]

​@73Trident Seth and Captain Bill Toti have wondered the same thing on camera during a recent Unauthorized Podcast of the Pacific War. They have not mentioned Calvin Graham in their history of the November 1942 battleship duel.

[@flparkermdpc]

David Franklin, What a wonderful analysis and compliment in your memoriam to the ship and its men.😊

[@JimPinch-te9vq]

I love this old WW2 ship 🎉

[@ralphregan1473]

Thanks Seth! Congratulations to your Eagle Scout!

[@flparkermdpc]

I'll second the Eagle Scout efforts. And the men who provide the faculty to examine all the student Scouts.

[@TomStubbs-c9q]

Seth....thank you, thank you, thank you for showcasing this great ship on your podcast. As a NC native, I am obviously connected to this ship and have been on it more than 100 times in my life. If you and your son get the chance, you need to schedule and come up and take the "Hidden Battleship" tour. You must schedule it months in advance but this tour takes you to part of the ship that have not been restored but you will "nerd out" over it. I've done it twice and it is beyond outstanding.....

[@flparkermdpc]

I'll second that.

[@flparkermdpc]

Imagine being a kid about Seth's son's size and age manning a 1.1" gun on the November night USS South Carolina, a sister ship of North Carolina, and USS Washington took on the Japanese Center Force and their battleship Kirishima with the mission to take out Henderson field, and the airplanes that had prevented Japanese reinforcement, and to kill as many Marines as possible. Well, there was such a sailor aboard, Calvin Graham, age 12, who had blackmailed a recruitment examiner to get into the Navy in Houston, Texas. By chance he was manning an antiaircraft gun, a 1.1" quad mount like the rare one Seth showed us during the tour. The South Dakota was poorly handled that night, sailing right into Kirishima's line of fire, and illuminated by its searchlight got pounded. The illumination provided the positive identification Admiral Willis Lee needed to open fire and put Kirishima on her way to Iron Bottom Sound. Twelve year old Calvin was a hero that night saving some of his shipmates with much needed first aid, and dragging the dead out of the way. It's an amazing story, that has a sad ending. Calvin was treated very poorly by the Navy. They followed one very bad day with a poor administrative performance in how Calvin's case was handled.

[@mollybell5779]

Thank you, Seth. Really enjoyed that tour. I thought you did a good job with the camera. 😊

[@davidlavigne207]

Thanks Seth and son for a great look at USS North Carolina. The care in which she has been maintained is superlative. She looks as if she is fresh from the yard, and if the acrylic barriers were removed and her 1800 man crew was put aboard she could get underway after a bit of work, and getting fuel, ammunition and stores replenished. I remember my father taking me as a young man of about 10 years old, in 1969 to the USS Massachusetts in Fall River, MA. She was in fair shape, but nothing to compare with this ship. Many thanks to the people who keep her in such condition. I hope to visit her when I am in that area.

[@Thumpalumpacus]

I always love your specials, it's like a stocking-stuffer! Good on you for getting your son involved. I took my son to USS Texas and USS Lexington a few years ago, so he could see for himself what our predecessors used to fight and win wars against countries that wanted to snuff us. Keeping that history alive matters. I'm planning a bucket-list trip for next spring: driving to New Orleans to visit the WWII Museum, onto Mobile to visit USS Alabama. Then Pensacola for the National Naval Air Museum, and on to Wilmington to visit the Showboat. Last stop will be on the way home, to visit Camp Shelby and drop a few ducats in your coffers as a small mark of appreciation. Keep up the great work, guys.

[@patrickherbert1651]

Great video! My wife and I had the privilege of visiting the USS North Carolina last August. Unfortunately that was before I discovered the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War. I have listened to every episode at least twice and have read several of the books of the authors you have featured. Needless to say, my knowledge of the Asia-Pacific war has increased exponentially. Seth & Bill, I am sure producing the podcast is exhausting. Please keep up this essential work of bring the history of the cost paid to build the world we live in today.

[@Digmen1]

Those battleship turrets and their barbettes and magazines are amazing. I have seen an animated video of the QE2 class ones in action and its simply amazing how it all works

[@waynesmith8431]

Visited her a few years back and was privileged to have a large group of her WW2 crew in attendance. Wonderful stories were shared thay day.

[@ericfrazier7766]

Great program and tour, and your camera and audio were just fine. My family and I have been visiting the USS North Carolina since I was 1 year old, and after 67 years, it never fails to fascinate and remind me that we are blessed to live in this wonderful country. God bless the many people who have served and sacrificed so that we can enjoy and appreciate it's many gifts. Thank you for all of your and Capt. Totie's work on the podcast. Please keep up the great work!

[@timandellenmoran1213]

Thanks, went with my wife and son a few years back. Had much fun!

[@B1900pilot]

Visited her the first time in 1981, and a couple times since. Such a beautiful ship!

[@richardmardis2492]

Man, when one of those sink- not only do you lose your home, but a whole small town!

[@chrisschmalhofer4348]

There’s nothing like watching one’s child brought up in a tradition. I made Eagle in ‘93 and my daughter just made Star two weeks ago. Congrats to your son!

[@1redcougar175]

That was great, keep up the good work on the channel. Super you and your son could visit together, lifetime memories.

[@kidhammer2567]

A beautiful ship, so true. I have not been aboard this vessel since June 1970. Her Kingfisher was not installed when I visited last. She is truly the "Showboat". Mr. Paridons' sirs, thank you for bringing me along today and for bringing back memories, though dim, for me from 54 years ago, gentlemen. Once again, thank you, thank you, sirs, what a blessing.

[@joebudde3302]

This is as close as one can get to what Admiral W.A. Lee brought to battle.

[@OMMgreenshirt]

How cool to wake up on a Saturday and find a special episode! Thank you for sharing. I found it interesting to see the line of Oerlikon 20mms on the bow. My father was aboard a cargo ship at Bizerte, Tunisia and shot down a Heinkel He 111 bomber with a 20 Mike Mike.

[@keepyourbilsteins]

Seth, myself and 2 daughters toured the NC on our way back from Topsail Island on July 27. I hadn't been on it in 35 years. Was amazed at what great condition she was in. I donated to the last restoration effort and was amazed at how beautiful it was compared to when I was a teen. Thanks for sharing your visit!

[@GringainAtlixco]

Thanks for taking us with you and your son on this wonderful tour. I'm 73 now with a bad back and hip so while I'd love to go there and tour the ship in person, it's just not possible for me anymore. I really enjoyed your video! It's a fun and interesting trip!

[@rickwilke3372]

I absolutely love these podcasts. I listen virtually daily. In my apartment, while I am driving my car on errands...and falling asleep at night. Almost the first thing when I wake up in the morning. Since I was a kid, I always went to the WW2 section in the town library to take out WW2 books. Yes I am that old that we only had books, not internet. I have learned so much from these podcasts and these historians. You just did a 2 hour podcast on Halsey's disaster with typhoons. AS a person who spent about 500 days at sea (oceanography) , the descriptions of the decisions (erratic)that caused the disaster and mostly of the loss of the destroyers made me cringe. I had been in some tough weather but at most the waves were 30 feet. And we were not at war...please keep up the good work!

[@flparkermdpc]

Great comment,encouraging our podcast host, and showing his son how much we appreciate his Dad and partner, Captain Bill Toti, for their work on the podcast. Having the young man, son in front of the camera is great for scale, to imagine how crowded these spaces were during general quarters ACTION! ALSO in the powder rooms when the 5"38 were in action v incoming aircraft. Trying to stay on my feet during a Salvo of the 16"would have been comical for an observer.😂😊

[@flparkermdpc]

I commented under another man's comment

[@richardmardis2492]

That a lathe machine with oil on it- they must be operational! Make sense- they need parts that aren’t made anymore👍

[@jliller]

I visited USS North Carolina for Spring Break 1993 when I was in middle school. I visited USS Yorktown on the same trip. A rare father-son trip for me. Three decades later and the faded yellow plastic Battleship North Carolina cup in my kitchen cabinet. I didn't have time to revisit when I was in Wilmington in 2016, but I should definitely go back whenever I am up that way again.

[@TheSocratesian]

LOVE IT! I have a home in Wilmington and have been going since before I could walk. Amazing ship. Thanks Seth.

[@CJrun]

I toured her in around 1984, with my dad. How little I understood, at the time. Dad had been the helmsman that night on November 13-14, 1942, on Washington. He didn't talk about it, much. But your visit to the helm hints, with one windscreen behind a blast shield, that no helmsman had any chance to see anything. Pitch black, shields up, he had to steer wherever Willis Lee directed him. When those 16-inch guns were fired, my dad could never have seen it until the painting I grew up seeing in our house, that Dad never said a word about.

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

WOW ! That s historical if true. What a privilege.

[@genelowry5666]

Your other right! How many times I’ve heard that. Thanks Seth.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Everyday

[@jamesstewartwilliams]

That is one good looking ship!

[@LarryLuke-u9m]

Seth. Your tour video was perfect considering the difficulty of navigating thru the passages (no bumped heads or cameras) and avoiding other people. I was recently on the ship for a tour but it was 95 degrees and almost unbearably hot. I've just relocated to North Carolina and intend on becoming a volunteer since I've been roaming on many of the ship museums for most of my life (only have two more battleships to visit. The Alabama was the first when I was ten years old). Your comments on the quality of the preservation of the North Carolina is spot on. However each ship has her own special displays that make each one unique. The Iowa has an entire room dedicated to all the turret accidents that have occurred on US battleships and those sailors who lost their lives. Very moving experience if you get a chance to travel to Los Angeles. I want to avoid being too long winded but want to thank you and Bill for all of the work you do to promote and preserve the Pacific war history and the service of our armed forces. P.S. I'm from MS and very familiar with Hattiesburg and Camp Shelby. Hope to visit your museum in the future. Well done.

[@KennanKlein]

I was aboard her in about 2014. This was before they installed the cofferdam surrounding the ship she looks great van too. Glad to see she's been well taken care of! There used to be a decent sized alligator that would roam the inlet. Thank you for taking the time to share her with us!

[@terrylawrence7498]

Right on. Good stuff. Rock on Seth. You got a cool Son. Thanks for sharing. Balls O steel.

[@Phoenix-ej2sh]

I received my order of Old Salt Silent Service coffee, ordered on the recommendation of Capt. Bill Toti. The first sip wasn't so much of an experience as an impact. Rich, deep, uncompromising, bold flavor that had me attempting to brace for incoming depth charges. I said something worthy of the brand's name, shook my head, and attempted to regain my senses. Then I noticed something. Amid the iron of the coffee's deep flavor were none of the notes I've come to expect from overdone dark roasts. There was no bitterness. There was none of the charcoal flavor that has become the signature of brands like Starbucks. It was exactly as you promised it would be - strong, deep, rich flavor, but well balanced enough to take without cream and sugar and still taste good. I am very pleased with my purchase. Thank you for your excellent recommendation.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

She was designed to carry 12 14inch guns. When the Japanese refused to sign the latest naval disarmament treaty, the Americans used the escalator clause to up gun the ship to 9 16inch guns. Outstanding job of giviing us a little tour. Thank you.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

The US did an excellent jon preparing for both potential eventualities.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

@@grahamstrouse1165 They up gunned the North Carolina's but it was too late to change the armor. Buy tradition U.S. battleships carried armor plate that would protect them from it's own guns.

[@dave3156]

Great tour! loved the camo scheme. Aside from being in great shape, the decorating was immaculate--period correct cartons, cans, etc, etc. really made it look good. Only suggestion I would offer is replace the white caricatures with mannequins and period uniforms. Thanks for letting us tag along

[@AJPGH2012]

Thank you for sharing your tour with us. It’s now on my list.

[@jeffreybaker4399]

Seth sneaking into Drach territory! Well done. Been on the Missouri a couple times (Bremerton and Oahu) but clearly this is worth the drive to see. Edit: Unexpected surprise. 18:53, the warping capstan motor data plate. Struthers Wells, Titusville Corp., Titusville PA. My grandfather was an engineer there during the war. Shop closed its doors long ago.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Most definitely

[@ramal5708]

9:21 Drach said it himself in his AA guns of WWII video that the 5"/38 gun, no matter the mount type, it was the best AA gun of the war, in anti surface mode it's not the best but for AA mode it's second to none.

[@hugosowder4474]

Visited this past weekend with a group of friends - I’m local to North Carolina and familiar with the history of the ship - and of the Washington thanks to the podcast! We had a great time and they got a lot out of walking around the different areas of the ship - definitely worth a visit!

[@jonguben47]

Nothing better than doing these things with your son. We did Hawaii, Guam and Guadalcanal. Great memories!

[@SamAlley-l9j]

Thank you Bill and Seth. This is the one ship I've visited in person and it's amazing!

[@vincentlavallee2779]

I have been on 3 of the 4 Iowa Class battleships. I toured the New Jersey while it was in acrive duty in the 80; during fleet week in San Francisco. The other two were museum ships, the Iowa and the Missouri. This ship was VERY impressive, and looks like it just came out of the stock yards when it was built. The only real wear I noticed was the teak planks at the rear, which showed significant wear. A few years ago, Ryan of the New Jersey said that they were redoing the teak flooring on the deck, and I asked why didn't the use some modern composite instead, that looked just like the original so it could last even longer. This technique is done with roofing, and is also done with internal flooring of houses, make the new material look like the original wood. At any rate, your video was amazing, and the ship is as well. I too have been on other WW II museum ships, although of those it was the three Iowa battleships and none of the others. I have even been in (not on) a few WW II submarine museum boats - the one in San Fran on Pier 40, and the U-505 in Chicago. But this ship here looks almost new! Thank you for your video tour. You did overall quite well. Just remember to span a little slower, and if you want the viewer to be able to read the signs with text that you are viewing, get closer! But I could read a lot of them. The power this ships eludes is truly awesome, and that it is all WW II rigged! Thank you again. Your videos (all of them from your series) are just amazing, and it is such a delight to see such enthusiasm for WW II and the Navy, with your keeping alive and passed on the history of the War in the Pacific. You yourself, along with Bill, and the others you invite, are all making history as well! I still wish that you will put together your entire series a DVD set for posterity.

[@slimeydon]

Thank you for this Seth. I spent several hours walking around the New Jersey a few years ago. When you started talking about the chairs I laughed because Ryan Szimanski from the New Jersey youtube channel did a few episodes on the chairs. The North Carolina is on my list of ships to visit along with the Massechussetts. The USS Sllater up in Albany is also painted in her wartime camoflauge pattern, I got some great pictures of her when she was being towed from Staten Island back to Albany after her drydock period here.

[@brucelytle1144]

Nice! I was an MM3 on a Gearing class destroyer undergoing overhaul in Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, toured enginerooms of old Fletcher and Sumner class DD's, went by Iowa and Wisconsin several times. In 18 months on that DD, I would say that I spent no more than 15 minutes inside our 5"/38 mounts! Wish, now, that I'd spent more time looking closer @ them! 😮 While there, there was an Irainian DD(G) that was a Gearing class modification, with Harpoon missles. The Iranians gave us a full tour, CIC, Radio all spaces that I was not allowed in (even with my Secret clearance!) on my own ship! The last ship I was on in the Navy only had a single M-2..... Well, there was always 2 SSN's with us, so....

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

Thanks seth! That was a fantastic tour. For the life of me I can't imagine being on a Japanese ship and seeing this Behemoth roll into the battle area! Chill bumps man!

[@Ozone814]

You’re a great role model and father.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

He’s a fine young man.

[@jonathanbrown7250]

I"ve been on 7 or 8 museum ships. Never disappointed. And there's nothing like being there in person.

[@larrytischler570]

Impressive scoreboard. Beautiful paint and maintenance. Wilmington does her proud. I remember the LUX soap and the airmail stationary Mom used to write her brothers; one on a LST invading Saipan, and Layte Gulf & Lingayen Gulf. The other on a DE escorting convoys in and fighting subs in the Atlantic, then on PT boat on Catalina Island after VE Day. He was in the Coast Guard. He took me to show and tell about a PT boat standing by on crashboat duty at the Corpus Christi Yacht Basin when all the PBMs practiced take offs & landings there.

[@compguyit5431]

I'm from NC, been there about 4 or 5 times over the years....She never disappoints Great video and walkthrough

[@Obergefreiter352]

Ain't she a beauty? Seth, I wish you and Bill would consider doing a video focused on battleships and/or naval gunnery. It's something I don't understand as well as I would like.

[@Christopher-os7eo]

My wife and I visited the museum in May and were entertained by all the history and the ship overall. You can feel the history and presence of all the heroes who served aboard her.

[@richardmardis2492]

This is very hands on! We had a T-34 tank at our museum kids would like to climb on it swing on the barrel. The docents loved to yell at them: “You’re going to knock it over!” The kids would jump off and look puzzled. Knock over a tank🤣🤣🤣

[@73Trident]

Thank you and your son for this great video Seth. IMO the North Carolina class Battleships were the best looking BBs ever built. Some are going to argue this but it will never change my opinion. Their war record is amazing also. Again thanks for this special, it was amazing.

[@thebigrisk34]

me and my dad drove all the way down there from Maryland to see the showboat in July as well such a nice ship so awesome to see that other families have a good time there!

[@arthurweers]

I toured the USS North Carolina a few years ago. When you see pictures of these battleships, the 5inch 38s don't look big, but when you get up close to them you realize they are big.

[@denniswiemer72]

Been there, great ship. You might want to take in BB62 with Ryan Symanski as he did a lot of video and stills as she went through dry dock.

[@69Applekrate]

Visited her from Arizona back in October 1993. Had just bought a then state of the art stereo 8mm sony cam corder for $1000 so, got to video it with sound. spent the entire day there. excellent memories. recommended. If I remember correctly, the Kingfisher had just arrived back then

[@flparkermdpc]

Loved your comment about excluding the general public from tight, complicated spaces where people can't keep their hands to themselves. The less one knows the greater the urge to twist it.

[@Digmen1]

I'm British and it always annoys me that we duid nto keep one battleship or battlecruiser. You Americans are so lucky. It must cost a LOT to keep these ships clean and tidy and maintained.

[@brovold72]

I'm sure it made some sense at the time, given Britain's post-war economic situation--but what a damn shame! These grand relics are moving and inspiring.

[@christophermancini7380]

Would of been great to be able to visit HMS Warspite, or one of the KGVs, or even perhaps HMS Vanguard. It's sad but I guess understandable that there was no room in the budget for preserving at least one of those great ships.

[@davidpeppert9168]

I agree with your sentiments entirely, but as usual, the British powers that be are always pennypinching, and have not the sense of history that our cousins across the big pond have. It was a crying, shame that the Warspite was not kept for posterity, given its great history and contribution to both world wars. Incidentally, my maternal grandfather was a tool maker and was involved in manufacturing shell cages for the KG5 class of battleships.

[@douglaskillock3537]

Given the importance of the navy to Britain's history and the contribution some of our battleships made seeing film or photos of these vessels being towed for scrap is heartbreaking. I never saw a British battleship and I never will. Scandalous, despite our economic plight after WWII.

[@mitch8226]

What a beautiful ship,thanks seth i will put it on my bucket list

[@richardmardis2492]

As a kid, I remember going to Ft. Bragg, and my dad pointed out a battle ship- I’m assuming…

[@moondog4444]

Had the pleasure of an Easter sunrise service aboard about 30 years ago. Followed that up with a tour of the ship.

[@marcbondi8462]

Brings me back to the time my family was there in 2008. I described how things worked on ships to my daughter and to this day, she still knows how emergency power cables work😊. We had the ship to ourselves the morning we were there. It is important to pass on how these men lived and fought for our freedom.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Grew up watching Victory at Sea .... I got tour Battlewagon Missouri but not this level of access. Excellent video.

[@rudee1956]

OMG..!! Just a Awesum job ..!! Always wonder what one looked like inside ..!! ❤

[@muskyelondragon]

Beautiful ship, thank you.

[@kilcar]

Excellent Seth. Thank you!! (Son of a Seabee, Pacific theater, WW2)

[@denniscahill9683]

Thank yor this -- I love the extras...almost as much as the mandatory Tuesdays!

[@Will-SFC06]

I was just there with my nephew and his son last July. We make it a regular visit on our annual Wrightsville trip. I love how every visit, including your video, shows something I have yet to see, or, ashamedly, something to which I didn't pay attention. I was also impressed by the New Jersey, though she's in her "modern" configuration. Sadly, I have yet to get to the old boats in my home state of Virginia. One Day...

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

A couple of things struck me about seeing this beautiful ship. The engineering and construction that went into this ship is just mind-blowing! I don't know how long it took to build a battleship but they sure were spitting Cruisers and Liberty ships out like there was no tomorrow even carriers for that matter. The other thing is that when a ship like this was hit by a torpedo or multiple Torpedoes or 1,000 lb bombs or whatever and they went down, the history and men that went with her is staggering and so devastating. Thank you so much for giving us this tour of a living legend

[@blueboats]

I visited the NC 20 years ago, nice to see it's only better. I agree with you the opportunity to stand on the powder handling flat is spectacular, looking around and seeing the giant flooding valves and contemplating the danger.

[@Perfusionist01]

Seth, thanks for the virtual tour. I have always wanted to visit that ship but haven't made it (yet~). You are right that the WW2 disruptive camouflage is a great touch. I was thinking that when you were among the 20mm guns onn the bow, you guys were is almost the spot that the famous photo of her sister USS Washington firing on Kirishima at night was taken. Nice work. It's also good to hear about a father-son trip.

[@arneldobumatay3702]

I was surprised how spacious and well lighted the interior was! Looking at old archive photos and films, everything looks dark and cramped.

[@ReverendScaleModeler]

Awesome video!! So much amazing and interesting stuff. We forget these ships were basically floating cities armed with really big guns.

[@MartinMcAvoy]

Come on let's admit it, Peter Berg's 2012 film Battleship, was a lot of fun! 😁

[@McFFMICP]

WOW! What a great change from the normal episodes--enjoyed greatly! Definitely will add to 'Bucket List', also Battleship Cove in Massachusetts. Congrats to your son on Eagle Scout--only made it to Life Scout myself, but as an Assistant Scoutmaster saw many fine young men make Eagle. Proudly, 2 of our Troops Eagles went on to the USNA and are now serving as Aviators-one flying F-18's and the other flying helos for the USMC. Two others entered the USCG and are now serving as Officers. Stop apologizing for your videoing skills--"People are stupid" LMAO!!!

[@LarryMartindale]

Thank you Seth for taking us with you! I got to tour the New Jersey once and it was great! Hope to tour this one someday too.

[@CutGlassMan-CTI]

Ships reflect the accumulation of the best technology of a society. Those with the best ships rule trade, the shipping lanes, and peace. Our museum ships show why we are where we are at.

[@HossBlacksilver]

I was lucky in the 80s to get to meet the crew of the U.S.S. North Carolina, they were a wonderful group. I even got to attend the reunion that they invited the survivors of the I-19 and they returned part of the torpedo the the I-19 hit the North Carolina with.

[@JohnJ0906]

I was sorry to realize that I missed you by a few days, I visited the Saturday after your visit. A great experience to see her. I can’t imagine what it was like to live in such close quarters with your shipmates

[@pleaseadoptus]

I see the Mk28 vending machines on deck there. Those would be the ones the sailors used between Sept. 42 and Jan. 43. I have to get back to the ship--it's been almost 40 years :( I've wanted to go since they repainted it in 94 I think and have just not made the time to appreciate what they have done to preserve this great ship. Thanks for the tour.

[@Powerhaus88]

The next HBO miniseries should be about the Navy in the Pacific. Army, Marines, and Army Air Corps had their fun, now it's the Navy's turn: 10 episodes about either Washington, Enterprise, or any big ship that took part in major battles. Fix the mistakes that popped up even in Midway with 4 Yamatos, bombs on Devastators, etc.

[@MartinMcAvoy]

It seems impossible that after Masters of the Air, next Hollywood spectacular about Midway will invent a plotline to install the Tuskegee Airmen into the narrative... but I'm sure that will happen 🙄

[@williamerickson1238]

Next time drag DRACHINIFEL with you! Your video was actually really good. Great detail. DRACH is the real guru of ships and engineering. I believe he did a BB55 tour but his wasn't as deep as this one.

[@richardcall7447]

Excellent video. It's too bad the weather wasn't better, I'm sure she looks even better on a sunny day.