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HOUSTON: Battleship Texas

Do you know if it’s possible to see her in the dry dock?
Dahveed, I'm guessing here. I bet yeah, you could see it. Doubt going into the floating dock and getting up and personal might be a no-go. I'm hoping the volunteers will be posting updated vid's to their YouTube channel regularly, Document repairs to the hull. There was a sub that went into drydock recently. They posted the repair work to youtube. I bet the hull of Texas is in some spooky shape right now.
 
Dahveed, I'm guessing here. I bet yeah, you could see it. Doubt going into the floating dock and getting up and personal might be a no-go. I'm hoping the volunteers will be posting updated vid's to their YouTube channel regularly, Document repairs to the hull. There was a sub that went into drydock recently. They posted the repair work to youtube. I bet the hull of Texas is in some spooky shape right now.
Ok, after posting this I see the plan (as of October) was to moor her in a day mooring at her present location. But it would still be neat to see them move her and start repairs.
 
I remember 1986 being on the Fireboat Tellepsen spraying red / white / blue water out of the boats monitors for sesquicentennial celebration . I was 13 years old , and my Farther was the Sr. Caption for PHA , and piloting the boat . A few years later PHA escorted battleship Texas to dry dock , and back in the late 1980's .
I've taken all my son's to the Ship , and park .
 
Hopefully someone can be there and see them move the ship and post a photo. I cannot on those dates.
 
I had a picture of it coming up the channel after the last overhaul 33 years ago , a friend was dispatching the Houston harbor tugs and their office was at Morgan’s point . 12 tugs moving it and one escorting . Their deck was the prime viewing spot . That was probably the fastest that it ever went . Cant do that this trip that hull is really thin and weak .
 
It needs a substantial rebuild, most likely.

Well yeah, but what defines "thin and weak?" Is moving it a hazard? Does it need dry dock to be preserved? Is there a lot of water in the hull?
I saw it in dry dock in Galveston in the late 80's while working, but didn't realize what it was.
 
Well yeah, but what defines "thin and weak?"

Well, it was originally designed to survive hits from it's own guns. Now they're concerned it won't stay afloat in calm water. That's about as detailed as I'm qualified to get.

Is moving it a hazard?

Yes, it is, but it's a necessary risk.

Does it need dry dock to be preserved?

Yes, it really does, but that's always been a funding issue. It would help with the rust, but imposes different structural loads that have to be accounted for.

Is there a lot of water in the hull?

There was and they were running pumps to bail it out, but they've injected a lot of foam to keep it afloat. I'm sure some of the prep work was trying to patch leaks.

I saw it in dry dock in Galveston in the late 80's while working, but didn't realize what it was.

Very cool. I'd like to see it this time since I wasn't around last time!
 
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Well yeah, but what defines "thin and weak?" Is moving it a hazard? Does it need dry dock to be preserved? Is there a lot of water in the hull?
I saw it in dry dock in Galveston in the late 80's while working, but didn't realize what it was.
Yes to all of the above , the original hull was heavy iron all riveted , the repairs in the 80s it was skinned over and welded below the waterline with more than likely inexpensive steel and painted , cost cutting was the thing . It did not last long and leaks have been I serious issue for over 20 years . Pumps have run 24 -7 just to keep it afloat and several times the ship has closed because that wasn’t enough , they would have to set portable pumps on deck to keep it afloat while making temporary repairs . It should have been land locked years ago to keep as much of it as possible accessible . I don’t think they have had hard hat tours in years it was so bad in the lower compartments that used to be included in those tours . I really hate to see it go but it is in that bad a shape and has been for years now .
 
Being moved on August 31 pending weather..
It's possible people will be able to see it in drydock but details are being worked out..
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dread·nought. TYPE OF BATTLESHIP
/ˈdredˌnôt,ˈdredˌnät/
Learn to pronounce
noun
1.
HISTORICAL
a type of battleship introduced in the early 20th century, larger and faster than its predecessors and equipped entirely with large-caliber guns.
2.
ARCHAIC
a heavy overcoat for stormy weather.

It was named after the HMS Dreadnought, which set sail in 1906. However, the word goes back to the late 17th century when it meant a fearless person (who dreaded naught — nothing).
 
Battleship Texas is going to be moved AUGUST 31
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The Battleship Texas Foundation (BTF), with their partners, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Historical Commission, announce that the Battleship Texas will be departing San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site for repairs on August 31st.
Repairs will be done at Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporations’ Galveston Shipyard. Due to weather or day of delays, the departure is subject to potential postponement.
A livestream video of the departure will be available for the public to view for free on the BTF YouTube channel and Facebook group page.
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, parts of Independence Parkway, and the Lynchburg Ferry will be closed from the early morning hours on August 31 until the ship has moved past the Lynchburg Ferry. The ship can be viewed throughout her route over most of the day. Good viewing locations for the public include, subject to local authority, Bayland Island, Texas City Dike, Seawolf Park, and Pier 21. The ship should pass the Texas City Dike and Seawolf Park around early to midafternoon and be in Galveston by mid to late afternoon.
All updates will be on the BTF website:
www.battleshiptexas.org
 
Some move details have been made available. From KHOU:

Moving day schedule:​

  • 5:30 a.m.: Final mooring disconnect
  • 6 a.m.: Initial pull from slip
  • 6:30- 7 a.m.: Swing bow to port
  • 7 a.m.: Make up lead bow tug
  • 7:30 a.m.: Make up assist tugs on stern quarters
  • 8 a.m.: Underway down Houston Ship Channel
  • 10:30 a.m.: Release assist tugs Morgan Point
  • 2:30 p.m.: Hou-Gal Tex pilot change at Buoy 25/26 and make up with assist tugs
  • 3 p.m.: Turn into Galveston harbor
  • 4 p.m.: Arrive at dry dock/lay berth

Best places to watch Battleship Texas' journey to Galveston​


There are several locations you can watch the ship in motion, including:
  • Bayland Island
  • Texas City Dike
  • Pier 21
  • Seawolf Park
 
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