USS North Carolina, replica by Odis Howard Darnell

The Battle Ship USS North Carolina BB55

My two older brothers were sailors but opposites. Jr. was mechanical and had a green thumb. Junior was the business man and Odis more the happy go lucky kind of guy. Junior was a Gunners Mate and Od was a Ships Carpenter. Odis was an artist and a lover of woodworking. His occupation was ‘Truck driver’ as was many of my family. Our Uncle Hisure taught him the trucking business.

His route took him past the Battleship North Carolina every week. He attended the dedication of the floating museum.  He bought a picture post card and on the way home decided to build a model. 

The results:

A wooden model 9.5 feet long weighing 150 lbs.

The ship was a winner, Odis won the coveted Gold Hammer Award, from Mechanics Illustrated. In an interview with the local paper he said, “I have no idea what I will do with my ship.”

The idea of huge models grew with Odis and his fleet grew:

Two more Battleships, a couple destroyers, an Aircraft carrier and three tall ships, the Pinta, Nina and the Santa Marie.

Me in uniform admiring my brother’s work.

Brother in law ‘Lt. Jim Wrap’ Shirl’s hubby, also admired the work.

Above is Howard (Odis’s oldest son) talking to a reporter. Odis could build, but Howard was the PR guy.  A business man himself Howard knew how to promote. We lost Howard at the age of 36, he had a beautiful wife and family. His future was bright when death snatched from his loving family.

The ships took on a life of their own. TV special, interviews and requests to display them.

The NEW Wachovia Bank building in Charlotte displayed the entire fleet for a week upon opening their local ‘skyscraper’.

After Odis’s untimely death at 61 the family was approached by the USS North Carolina Museum in Wilmington.  Yes they would donate the model.

Shirl, Jim, Sherry and I proudly delivered the model to the REAL ship on site at Wilmington. This time it was Shirl’s time to tell about our brother to the news folk.

That is the real battle wagon in the back ground.

As in life things change. Shirl is the record keeper in our family. She stayed in touch with the Museum. After 8yrs, She was informed of another donor and a larger model, so Odis ship would be excess.

There was a school in Rowan county that would love to have it. With Odis’s wife Ruth’s approval the exchange was made. We, Ruth and one of her sons was there to see it installed.

After 20 years in the school library, it was again excess, ‘Would the family like to have it returned?’ Shirl’s answer was “Certainly.” So Shirl rented the van and we went down to pick it up. a few days ago.

Odis’s family has been informed and they will decide the fate of the model.  At present it is in Shirl’s basement as she proudly displays it for any and all to see.

 

We were amazed after nearly 30 years of display away from the family protection, there was only minor cosmetic damage.

Anyway That is our family pride, the handmade model.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

In a conversation with my brother I was chiding him about allowing a ‘stand-in’ in a TV interview.

“Jackie, do you remember that man’s name who presented the ship?”

“No, to be honest, I don’t.”

“But you remember the ship don’t you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“That’s the important thing little brother.”

I knew him and I also knew he was right.

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Antique 5th wheel RV

Methinks that is an old 1950 buick modified to reburn the excess from the exhaust. Looks like it is on fire. (I believe he is feeding more than excess!!!)