6/30/24 – Battleship Texas Update
Posted by Battleship Texas Foundation on June 30, 2024
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.
Events
June 29th – July 7th, 2024 – The Battleship Texas Artisan Auction is live! Own a one of a kind piece made from Battleship Texas!
July 20, 2024 – Join us for a ceremony to welcome the return of the Battleship Texas steel that was flown over France during the 80th Anniversary of D-Day! The Battleship Texas Foundation would like to welcome you to join us on this special occasion.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s Next?
Battleship Texas will remain at Gulf Copper Shipyard 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 will be offering touring options while the ship is in the shipyard. Participants will be able to view ongoing work and restoration or learn all about how the ship operated during its service career. An announcement will be made once touring options become available.
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 in late 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. The ship’s six 5″ guns have already been 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. The ship’s steel deck has been sandblasted, repaired, primed, and awaits installation of the new pine deck. Workers have already begun fitting the margin planks to the ship’s deck. These planks are cut to length, fitted to the area of the deck they are going, and primed. Yes, some of the wood from the 1990 deck is being saved to produce items to raise funds. Some deck wood items are already available in the ship’s store.
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.
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.
Main Mast
The deck on the ship’s main mast has been repaired or replaced in certain areas, historic safety railings have been reinstalled around ladderways, gun mount bases have been reinstalled, and other miscellaneous repairs have been completed. A tarp has gone up over the main mast for blasting and painting.
Barrel Storage Tubes
Storage tubes that once held spare barrels for the ship’s 20mm anti-aircraft guns have been fabricated and reinstalled. Not every tube will be installed at this time, but it is one more step to presenting the ship in its 1945 appearance.
Floater Net Baskets
Several floater net baskets have been added in a few areas aboard. These baskets held nets which were designed to free float if a ship were to sink and provide sailors something to hold on to until they were rescued.
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.
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.