Last-of-Its-Kind US Navy Battleship Finds Permanent Home In Galveston

The iconic battleship USS Texas has finally secured a permanent home at Pier 15 in Galveston after months of negotiations and delays.

The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees approved the decision, bringing an end to prolonged uncertainty over the warship’s future.

USS Texas is the last remaining dreadnought battleship from World War I and the only one to have served in both World War I and World War II.

The vessel commissioned in 1914, was actively involved in escorting convoys during WWI and providing shore bombardment during key landings in Iwo Jima, Morocco, Normandy, and Okinawa.

The ship has been under the care of the State of Texas’ Battleship Texas Commission since 1947, operating as a floating museum.

Like many historic ships, it also faced serious structural deterioration and leaks, leading to a major two-year restoration project. USS Texas was dry-docked at the Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston for extensive repairs from August 2022 to March 2024.

The shipyard even acquired a larger drydock to accommodate the aging battleship and completed all necessary repairs below the waterline before successfully refloating it.

Once the repairs were completed, USS Texas needed a permanent location, but discussions between the Battleship Texas Foundation and the Port of Galveston faced setbacks.

Initially, the plan was to berth the vessel near Piers 19-21, but navigational safety and hurricane risks led to the port authority in October 2023. Port officials and maritime experts raised issues about the impact on the busy and narrow shipping channel and the risks posed by storm surges.

Despite the stalled negotiations, discussions resumed in November 2023, leading to an agreement to dock USS Texas at Pier 15-an area with low industrial use and minimal impact on future port expansion.

During a board meeting last week, Vice chairman Jeff Patterson explained that two major factors influenced the decision:

Safety of the shipping channel– Experts including pilots, the Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were concerned about keeping the battleship in a high-traffic area.

Hurricane preparedness- Pier 15 offers better storm protection compared to other locations, reducing risks during extreme weather conditions.

The port confirmed that the battleship’s placement at Pier 15 will not interfere with future port development or public usage.

The new location is also within walking distance of Galveston’s cruise terminals and historic district, making it accessible to tourist attraction.

The Battleship Texas Foundation, which manages the vessel, has assured that no local port funds will be used for the move.

The project is being entirely funded by the State of Texas and the foundation itself, ensuring that Galveston taxpayers do not bear any financial burden.

References: houstonpublicmedia, cw39

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