The Admiral’s Cabin sitting area, 1941
A Storm of Historic Proportions
On September 15, 2024, Tropical Cyclone 8 unleashed unprecedented rainfall across the Cape Fear region, dropping 12 to 20 inches in just two days. The deluge caused severe flash flooding and widespread property damage throughout southeastern North Carolina.
Battleship North Carolina: Strength in the Storm
Amid the chaos, Battleship North Carolina stood resilient. As the most decorated WWII battleship—having served in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters—she has weathered many storms, including a torpedo strike in the Solomon Islands on September 15, 1942, exactly 82 years before Tropical Cyclone 8.
Damage to the Admiral’s Cabin
The cyclone’s impact was felt aboard the Ship, particularly in the Admiral’s Cabin—a historically significant space on the main deck used for dining, meetings, and rest by the admiral and his staff. After the storm, staff discovered the cabin had flooded with roughly 500 gallons of water.
Members of the Battleship Restoration Team in the Admiral’s Cabin, August 2025
Restoration Begins
Once the space was dried, the restoration team found that water had entered from above, penetrating five layers of steel overhead. These layers, built up over decades of repairs, were no match for the storm’s force. The team began carefully dismantling the cabin, salvaging original materials for reinstallation.
Rebuilding with Resilience
The cabin has since been meticulously cleaned and is now being insulated and sealed to withstand future storms. “It’s our duty and our privilege to restore and protect Battleship North Carolina,” said Terry Kuhn, Chief of Operations. “This is our opportunity to restore this portion of the Ship in a way that would make the Admirals who stayed here proud.”
Craftsmanship and Discovery
Executive Director Dr. Jay Martin emphasized the importance of skilled craftsmanship in the restoration process. Along the way, the team uncovered handwritten notes from the original shipbuilders—historic details etched into the steel itself. The restoration took eight months and was completed in August 2025.
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