1/28/24 – Battleship Texas Update
Posted by Battleship Texas Foundation on January 28, 2024
DRY DOCK TOURS
We have a small number of spots left for dry dock tours on Saturday, February 10th!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s Next?
Battleship Texas will remain at Gulf Copper Shipyard for the time being. Additional steel work, removal and replacement of the ship’s deck, and superstructure/aft fire control restoration will continue.
Structural, decking, drainage, and other repairs have already begun on the ship’s foremast and aft fire control tower as part of the Save America’s Treasures grant project.
Splash!
The ship will be put back into the water in February 2024 (if weather permits).
Keel Blocks?
Yes, the keel blocks supporting Battleship Texas can be moved. Each block is moved so the area atop of them can be blasted, repaired (if need be), and coated.
What about the rudder?
The rudder will remain where it is. Funding is best spent elsewhere.
Will the ship run again?
No, the ship will never be able to run under its own power again.
Touring?
The Battleship Texas Foundation is working on new touring opportunities before the ship reopens.
Reopening?
There is a lot to be done before the ship is ready for touring at its new home in Galveston, Texas. Reopening is projected to happen sometime in 2025 or 2026.
SHIP REPAIRS
Paint
Steel repairs have been completed on the hull of Battleship Texas.
Above the boot top (above the black band) the ship has been painted Navy Blue 5-N. This color was matched from existing examples found aboard (both internally and externally) the vessel.
The ship was painted in the Measure 21 camouflage scheme prior to deploying to the Pacific Theater during World War II. At this time Battleship Texas is the ONLY museum ship painted in this camouflage scheme and only one of two battleships in their WWII measure.
The ship’s hull has been coated with PPG SIGMASHIELD 880 GF. Historically the ship would be coated with an anti-fouling coat that is red in color, but that coating is no longer needed as the ship is not in service.
Yes, the rest of the ship will receive a new coat of paint once repairs conclude.
Hull Numbers
The new hull numbers have been extensively researched so each number is not only the correct font, but applied in the appropriate position as it was in 1945. The numbers have been applied to both bow and stern.
