Texas back in the water
No, I don’t mean Friday’s rain (although we got 3″ in as any hours. Typical Texas weather – drought or toadfloater.)
Nope, the grand old lady , formerly of the Houston Ship Chanel, the USS Texas (BB35) has left her dry dock and is headed for the balance of her refitting in Galveston.
She was moved due to decay and rot in her hull…not surprising, having been in salt water all over the world since 1912. Having served in both world wars, she is the last of the old New York-class battleships, and deserves mention in the same breath as the USS Missouri. She was at the landing of Veracruz, fired the first American shots of WWII (at a u-boat menacing the merchant vessel Mongolia) , and served in both Atlantic and Pacific fleets (including at D-Day) in WWII. In 1948 she was towed to her ‘permanent’ home near the San Jacinto battle monument. The years since were not kind to her hull.
Drone footage from Third Coast Drone showed the warship back in the water Tuesday. The goal is to reopen the museum ship to the public by late 2025.
The USS Texas, once one of the most powerful and intimidating warships to sail the upon the seas, is now the last of its kind, revered for its history. When it was first launched in 1912, it was one of a dozen dreadnoughts, featuring hefty defenses and devastating deck guns, which could be used to deal damage on land and at sea. Business Insider
It was a feat just to GET the aging hull floated and towed all those miles to Galveston, much less get her reworked enough to float on her own – that last alone cost $21 million..
Elements of the ship’s superstructure were still notably under construction, with The Battleship Texas Foundation confirming on Tuesday that work still needed to be done to replace the wooden deck, restore dozens of spaces inside, and finish re-painting, among other fixes. Its extensive repairs have so far cost more than $21 million.
Drone footage from Third Coast Drone showed the warship back in the water Tuesday. The goal is to reopen the museum ship to the public by late 2025.
573 feet of butt-kicking steel. Ten 14″ main guns. Twenty-one 5″ guns. 14 boilers just to move her. 1810 in the crew (about half again the size of the Texas town I live in.)
Yeah. the last 110+ years has been hard on her, but she’s been hard on our enemies. Right now she still needs some more fixing up. Me, I’m confident – like Mr. Cash so eloquently put it “She’s in pretty good shape for the shape she’s in.”
Welcome back afloat.
Category: Historical, Navy
She still is a beautiful lady
Nothing beats those old battlewagons. The USS New Jersey will be undergoing drydock starting this month where her keel was originally laid, the Philly Ship Yard. I’ve had the privilege of standing on the deck plates of all 4 IOWA Class battleships. You can feel the history. Battleship New Jersey – Experience a tour of the world’s greatest battleship!
There were three mothballed battlships in the Philly yards back in 1966 when our ship was in drydock to get it ready for its trip in 1967 to the west coast and Viet-Nam. I think 2 of the moth balls were the Wisconson and Iowa but can’t remember the 3rd. I’m going to see if the USS Texas was involved in the Leyte Gulf Suragal Straits battle which I believe was the last big gun ship battle where they used the “Crossing The T”
manuever from the days of sail. The battlewagons lined up in a circle and as each one came in front of the Japanese ships, they let go with the 16 inchers. The Japanese couldn’t use their own guns for fear of hitting their own ship in front of them…
Yes, the Iowa and Wisconsin were tied up next to each other there. My recruiter took us on a visit in the early 80’s and I remember seeing them. The row of Cruisers tied up at the front gate was impressive. And the story behind the USS Newport News with the missing center barrel on current #2.
The last of the 8 in.guns heavy cruiser USS Newport News used to Berth at pier 12 with us and every morning the bugle was played for all hands to heave out and tryes up, and you could see Deck Apes swabbing and holy stoning the teak decks. She left a day before us to head down and be on station off the Dominican Republic coast during Operation Power Pack.
Directly across from the USS New Jersey is the USS Olympia who retuned the remains of our first Unknown Soldier. Cruiser Olympia – Independence Seaport Museum (phillyseaport.org) She can use a little help as well.
Next stop ,,Red Sea?
I went to see her in 1984ish. Beautiful ship. Can’t wait until she reopens for tours again
Speaking of Texas, death toll of those killed in the Friday National Guard Crash has been raised to 3 including the daughter of a police chief, a BPA and a NY state trooper. Several others are still in quite serious condition.
https://nypost.com/2024/03/09/us-news/new-york-state-trooper-among-3-killed-in-national-guard-helicopter-crash-at-southern-border/
The engines of the Texas have been declared a historic landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 4 cylinders, triple expansion (two low pressure cylinders), 48 inch stroke, 28,100HP at 125 RPM. Considered the finest example of shipboard reciprocating steam power. Imagine watching that wonderful conglomeration of gigantic moving parts at flank speed.
RAMMIMG SPEED!
The Republic of Texas Navy…sails again. Too bad She draws too much to patrol the Rio Grande’.
A BZ/Salute to the ones that made this happen. The Gun Bunny lubs himself some floating Artillery Platforms!