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    5/11/24 – Battleship Texas Update

    Posted by Battleship Texas Foundation on May 11, 2024

    Featured image for Post named `5/11/24 – Battleship Texas Update`

    The ship is still moored along Pier D in Gulf Copper Shipyard where their people are hard at work. It cannot be understated how much we appreciate their efforts in this undertaking as we know the work before them has not been easy.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What’s Next?

    Battleship Texas will remain at Gulf Copper Shipyard for until her new home is ready for her. Additional steel work, removal and replacement of the ship’s deck, and superstructure/aft fire control restoration will continue. And painting the topsides!

    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.

    Missing Guns?

    The ship’s anti-aircraft guns are currently undergoing restoration. The guns and gun directors will be replaced once their restoration is complete. Three of the ship’s six 5″ guns have already been reinstalled.

    All three of the port side 5"/51 guns have had their bases reinstalled.

    SHIP REPAIRS

    Deck Repairs

    The decking on the ship’s bow has been removed as well as the wood on the ships super structure deck. Steelworkers have been working from the bow moving aft to close any pinholes found. Yes, some of this wood is being saved to produce items to raise funds. Some deck wood items are already available in the ship’s store.

    With the coaming removed, what is probably the very last of the 1913 pine deck is exposed.
    The last of the wood has been removed from the superstructure deck.
    Drainage Repairs

    The ship’s drainage system is being restored. This will protect the ship from rain water intrusion and greatly extend the life of the other top-side repairs that are in progress.

    A deck drain inside the armored citadel on second deck has been unblanked and reinstalled.
    The last of the wood has been removed from the superstructure deck.
    Aft Fire Control Restoration

    The ship’s aft fire control tower is looking great! The mullions for the windows are fitted, floater net baskets added, and more. These repairs and additions will help return the ship to its 1945 appearance.

    Fire control radar base for the aft fire control tower being fabricated.
    One of eight new floater net baskets being fabricated by Gulf Copper.
    Turret Watershed Repairs

    The turret watersheds are being removed for repairs. The watersheds keep water out of the gaps between the turret and barbette. They will be reinstalled once those repairs are complete.

    Turret Two has had all of the turret water sheds removed and are currently being worked on.
    Radar Top Mast

    The radar top mast has been removed from the ship’s main mast and has largely completed the required repairs. There are a few things which need to be done before it gets its final coat of paint and is reattached to the ship.

    Main Mast

    The deck on the ship’s main mast is being repaired and replaced in certain areas. Gun mounts are also being added back.