Battleship volunteers RDML Ron Henderson, USN, Retired; LtCol John Munn, USMC, Retired; CDR Charles Gore, USN, Retired; LCDR Mike Bowers, USN, Retired; and Alex Dydula invite you to join them in an opportunity to “Zoom In” with an expert on Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. Each virtual presentation lasts 30-45 minutes followed by the opportunity to engage with the presenter. The programs are free, but online registration is required as limited space is available.
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA received a NC CARES: Humanities Relief Grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council, www.nchumanities.org.
Funding for NC CARES has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan.
Meet the Showboat: A Brief History
RDML Ron Henderson, USN, Retired
Saturday, January 9
Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, aka, Showboat, is the most decorated American battleship of World War II. Let RDML Ron Henderson, USN, Retired, introduce you to the operational history of this floating warrior, who established the role of WWII battleships.
City at Sea: Life Aboard
Saturday, January 23
Home to 2,000+ officers, enlisted personnel and a Marine Detachment, Battleship NORTH CAROLINA provided a place to sleep, eat, shower, check out books, watch movies and boxing matches, get a haircut, have your shoes repaired and more. Discover life at sea with RDML Ron Henderson, USN, Retired, a man who has “been there, done that.”
Engineered for Victory: Design and Technology
Saturday, February 6, 2-3 p.m. EST
LtCol John Munn, USMC, Retired
A true engineering wonder of her day, the Battleship showcases an array of technological advancements. Discover design considerations and innovations that continue to amaze visitors from LtCol John Munn, USMC, Retired.
The Few, The Proud: BB55 Marine Detachment
Saturday, February 20, 2-3 p.m. EST
From their founding in 1775, Marines have performed vital functions aboard American naval ships. Follow LtCol John Munn, USMC, Retired, into the world of the Showboat MarDet: the men, the mission, the equipment.
Fire Control: The Mechanical Brains Behind the Guns
Saturday, March 13, 2-3 p.m. EST
Alex Dydula
The Battleship is a floating weapons platform, but the finest guns are of little use without the means to direct their fire accurately at the target. Fire control expert Alex Dydula will explore the Ship’s fire control equipment (directors/optical range finders, radar, computers) and how main and secondary battery plotting rooms operated.
Fire Control: The Human Element
Saturday, March 27, 2-3 p.m. EDT
CDR Chuck Gore, USN, Retired
Developing a successful approach to fighting the Ship effectively required a team of officers and enlisted men. They developed procedures and tactics based on lessons learned from engagements and adapted to evolving technologies. CDR Chuck Gore, USN, Retired, will introduce you to the gunnery department, its missions, and how tactics changed during the war years.
Sailing Through Time Aboard Ships Named NORTH CAROLINA, Part One
Saturday, April 17, 2-3 p.m. EDT
LCDR Mike Bowers, USN, Retired
Gracing the seas from 1824 to today, ships named NORTH CAROLINA provide insights into the traditions and innovations involved in navigation, propulsion, fire control (tracking targets and aiming guns), weapons, and daily life. Join LCDR Mike Bowers, USN, Retired, as he gives us a peek into the workings of our Navy vessels and her crews over the centuries.
Sailing Through Time Aboard Ships Named NORTH CAROLINA, Part Two
Saturday, May 8, 2-3 p.m. EDT
In part 2, LCDR Bowers focuses on life at sea for the crews manning ships named NORTH CAROLINA. What was it like to work and live on these ships? He’ll explain watches, watch section rotation, battle stations, damage control, rank structure, discipline and uniforms. How has being a sailor evolved over time? How has changing technology impacted staffing? Find out if you’re cut out for the life of a bluejacket.