Cyril Adams surveyed Southport and Morehead City. Both were large enough, but vulnerable to hurricanes. Wilmington would provide a more protected berth for the battleship.
In 1961, North Carolina had a new governor, terry Sanford, a former World War II paratrooper. He appointed Morton the head of a state commission to bring the North Carolina home. This began the Save the Battleship effort which was supported by Admiral Chester Nimitz, wartime commander of the US Pacific Fleet and Admiral Arleigh Burke, current Chief of Naval Operations. Said Nimitz, "her presence in a task force was enough to keep morale at a peak."
The estimate to tow the North Carolina from New York City was $250,000 and the Battleship Commission was to be self-supporting, so funds were needed.
Morton instituted a state-wide group of fleet admirals in each of the state's 100 counties to raise money.
President John F. Kennedy, a Navy man himself, had a commission bought for him and the state archives still has a letter from him thanking Morton for the honor.
More to Come. --DaCoot
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