Battleship North Carolina is seeking public assistance in securing the additional funds needed to meet its overall $17 million goal for its Generations Campaign. The campaign, which began in 2011, has raised $10.7 million for repairs to the ship’s hull, construction of a memorial walkway and educational efforts.

Advertising for the Generations Campaign is taking place statewide with billboard ads west of Raleigh, a social media campaign and a text-to-give program. The fundraising campaign mirrors the “Save Our Ship” program that took place in the 1960s, said Battleship executive director Capt. Terry Bragg. Through the program, Wilmington-area residents were encouraged to save their nickels and dimes to raise the $330,000 needed to bring the Battleship North Carolina to Wilmington as a war memorial and save it from being turned in to scrap metal.

“I like to say this is the people’s Battleship because it was the people who brought the battleship here.” Bragg said.

To repair the ship’s hull, which is worn dangerously thin in many places, a cofferdam will be built around the ship that will allow water to be pumped out for repairs and, according to Bragg, offers a long-term solution to any future issues with the hull. 

“This is not a question of should we do this,” he said. “This has to be done. We are a big contributor to the economic interest of southeastern North Carolina and this area of the state, so we have an obligation to do something, and this is the solution.”

In addition to construction of the cofferdam and the replacement of steel at the ship’s wind and water line, a veterans memorial walkway will be built around the ship with $3 million pledged from the State Employees’ Credit Union. Future projects include expansion of the river docks, a nature walkway and public kayak boat launch.