The U.S. Naval Section Base at Ocracoke (on the Outer Banks) began operations in May-June 1942 with the construction of the Hatteras Minefield, a ring of contact mines laid in an irregular arc offshore from Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke enclosing a protected anchorage for merchant ships.
The base cosisted of a large, two-story administration building and barracks, a hospital and various support facilities. Three large piers were built into Silver Lake, which was dredged to shelter Coast Guard and navy patrol craft.
By the time the base was commissioned October 9, 1942, its original purpose had ceased to exist, as the Hatteras Minefield had proven too difficult to maintain. Five Allied ships had been sunk or damaged after entering the minefield by mistake.
One More Entry. --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.
No comments:
Post a Comment