|
Gordon
Knapp
in Executive Officer's Office
|
The
Main Deck of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is unique in that the
structural steel deck is overlaid with a teak deck, a characteristic
of all battleships and cruisers constructed through World War II.
The teak
was not used for decoration. As can be seen on NORTH CAROLINA, and
common to cruisers as well, there is a large surface area on the
Main Deck. Through World War II, ships generally were not air conditioned;
and, since wood is a natural insulator, the teak decking significantly
reduced temperatures below decks. (Note: from our own experience
during restoration of the teak decking, when we removed the original
teak and replaced it with new teak, the temperature difference with
teak overhead as compared to a bare steel deck was over 20 degrees
on a hot summer day.) Also, wood better absorbed shrapnel from bullets
or bombs.
On deck
were located many of the 20mm and 40mm gun mounts and four of ten
5-inch gun mounts. From the deck many of the ship's evolutions such
as anchoring, refueling, reprovisioning, rearming and flight operations
took place.
The largest
of the Main Deck interior spaces was the Officers' Wardroom. Also
located on the deck were a small number of officer staterooms and
enlisted berthing spaces, ammunition storage areas and a few maintenance
and repair shops.
Current
highlights for visitors to see on the Main Deck are listed below.
 |
OS2U
Kingfisher Float Plane |
|
Wardroom exhibits |
|
The Executive Officer's
Office |
|
Ship Models |
|
Roll
of Honor listing the 10,000 North Carolinians who died in service
to their State and Country during World War II |
|
20mm and 40mm guns |
|
20mm clipping room |
|
16-inch turrets |
|
Ceremony
on the main deck
|
Most
of the interior spaces on the Main Deck will be part of a major
restoration project commencing in the summer of 2003, however, the
rest of the Battleship, including the Main Deck, will remain open
to visitors. |
