As the North Carolina was turned to ease into her berth, the back of the ship hit the Ark, a floating restaurant moored on the riverfront at the foot of Princess Street. It was originally named the General Frederick C. Hodgkins, a concrete-hulled ship built in Wilmington in the 1920s and had led a varied career ranging from banana boat, casino, floating barracks for the Coast Guard and offices for the U.S. Maritime Commission (responsible for building ships for the war effort).
In 1952, businessman Eldridge Fergus opened the Ark as a seafood restaurant and soon became a favorite with tourists. In 1955, it was accidentally rammed by a US Navy submarine
Guns from one of the North Carolina turrets crashed into the Ark's galley, knocking stores around. Damage was estimated at between $10,000 and $15,000.
Local legend has it that Fergus had moved the Ark into a more dangerous position in hopes there would be a collision. Fergus, however, claimed that he had already cut his power and water lines and was preparing to move the ship on the Sunday. On Monday he tried to call a tugboat but got no response.
Newspapers reported the incident all over the country.
More Ark Coming. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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