October 17, 2023 -- The Rotary Club of the Capital City welcomed scientist and historian Lynn Dail to speak about the surprising military history of Topsail Island, North Carolina. Now a tranquil family vacation destination, Topsail Island was from 1946-48 America's first missile base as a part of Operation Bumblebee. To test its ramjet-powered missiles, which evolved into today's supersonic aircraft and weapons, the US Navy built odd concrete towers spaced across the shoreline. Topsail Island was in the running to be upgraded to a rocket base, but Cape Canaveral won. So today vacationers can stroll the beach and continue to be puzzled by the towers.
