USS North Carolina

The commissioning ceremony for the USS North Carolina SSN-777 was Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 11 am in the Cape Fear River at the State Port of Wilmington in North Carolina. It is the fourth US Navy fast attack Virginia Class Submarine,

It was launched in 2007 and underwent sea trials.

It was in close proximity to two other North Carolinas, the World War II battleship and the wreck of the CSS North Carolina, whose wreck was passed at Southport.

The CSS North Carolina was a 150 foot class Confederate ironclad that sunk at its moorings at Smithville, NC (now Southport) on 27 September 1864 as its hull was thoroughly riddled with toredo worms. It was partially salvaged by Confederates during the war and again in 1868. The hulk was burned 7 September 1871. Fragments of the ship still rest on the river bottom.

It was 165 feet long, 33 foot beam, 600 tons and mounted six 8-inch and one pivot gun.

The submarine North Carolina also passed the wreck of the CSS Raleigh, another Confederate ironclad, which ran aground in the Cape Fear River by New Inlet 7 May 1864. The wreck was salvaged by Confederates during the war and fragments remain at the bottom of the river.

History Lives Again. --Old B-Runner