The North Carolina Mason

Page 2 The North Carolina Mason September/October 2016 Ric Car ter photos By Ric Carter WILMINGTON — For a second straight year, St. John's 1 held a raising on the battleship USS North Carolina. About 80 Masons from around the state attended the degree aboard the National Historic Landmark. e popular event was held September 17 at the ships per- manent mooring across the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington. A delicious prime rib meal was served in the welcome center at 6:00 p.m., after the battleship was closed to the public for the day and before the lodge was opened at 7:00 p.m. at gave time for early arrivals to tour the mu- seum and ship for a while before supper and a bit before the degree work began. e degree was moved to the offi- cers ward room this year, located on the main deck, it was easier to access than last years below decks mess hall loca- tion. Kids from Wilmington's Masonic youth groups were on hand to help wel- come and direct visitors. Wooden naval shipping crates were used for officer podiums, a sailors white canvas duffle served as a kneeling pad at the altar. e altar was lit with a vintage ship's deck lantern, and paper aprons in- scribed for the occasion were distributed. St. John's 1's officers raised two new Masons, their own candidate Justin Dean Cook, and Binh Qudc Nguyen as a courtesy for Ashlar 765. e rais- ing was presided over by Master/King Solomon Frank Barfoot; Senior Warden/ Senior Grand Warden Jim Brandt; Fel- lows Craft Chris Jones, Avery Rackley, and Marty Hunt; Ruffians Larry Brown, Andy Greene, and Terry Kuhn; Secretary Jim Frost; and Lecturer John Shawver. e USS North Carolina was the fourth ship the United States Navy named for our state. Her hull was laid in 1937, and she was commissioned in 1940. She was nicknamed "Showboat" because of the widespread attention she drew on her launch and testing cruise. She lived up to the nickname winning 15 battle stars during her participation in every major naval offensive in the Pacific eater during World War II. Arma- ment included nine 16-inch guns and 20 five-inch guns. e ship was crewed by more that 2,300 sailors and Marines. After her decommissioning in 1960, she was bought by the school children of North Carolina, brought to her per- manent berth in Wilmington, and made a monument to North Carolinians who died during their WWII service. St. John's 1 repeats Battleship Degree The lodge was situated in the center of the terrazzo floored officers ward room. Kingfisher on the ship's fantail is seen under a rising moon. Three of the ship's 16-inch guns at sunset. Port of Joppa Master and altar Candidate Cook tours the museum before his raising.

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