Oh well I'm a couple of days late but better late than never! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BATTLESHIP TEXAS!!! On March 12, 1914, She was commissioned into the U.S. Navy with Capt. Albert W. Grant in command. Serving her country well in active duty for 34 years She has notable a lot of firsts, the first US Navy vessel to house a permanently assigned contingent of US Marines, the first US battleship to mount anti-aircraft guns, the first US ship to control gunfire with directors and range-keepers (analog forerunners of today's computers), the first US battleship to launch an aircraft, from a platform on Turret 2, one of the first to receive the CXAM-1 version of CXAM production radar in the US Navy, the first US battleship to become a permanent museum ship, and the first battleship declared to be a US National Historic Landmark. During D-Day Mighty Texas fired 240 rounds of 14" ordinance over a 34 minute period. Covering Omaha Beach and Pointe Du Hoc. Evidence of that day still can be seen It is docked at the San Jacinto Battleground in Texas, a permanent home since 1948. But closed to visitors currently As they are preparing the ship for transportation to a shipyard where her hull will be replaced from the waterline down and repainted, along with other necessary repairs and improvements. The ship is tentatively scheduled to depart her current berth between April-August 2020 and be in the shipyard for a period of approximately twelve months. Once the battleship leaves the shipyard, they are looking for a new berth best suited for her by August 2021. Reopening for Vistors by 2022 The Battleship Texas reminds us all of the importance of preserving military past, giving a chance for many youthful generations to touch a piece of History that made pages in American history This is the last remaining battleship that participated in both World Wars and only surviving dreadnought This proud Texan battleship has a lot to toot her own horn about Mighty BB 35, some many memories housed between her walls Have they decided yet where it will be berthed at when repairs are complete?
There's a big effort to get it into Baytown also. The real issue hasn't been location as much as marketing.
