I was on one of the towboats that took it from San Jacinto to the Fred Hartman Bridge where we were released. It was an absolute honor to be part of this move and will remember it for the rest of my life
Considering her age, she is in amazing condition. As a Brit with more than a passing interesting in Naval warfare I am glad that this Grand old Dame of the sea is getting the attention she deserves. She is one of the last remaining ships of her era, a historical and technological marvel of her day, and needs to be preserved as long as humanly possible. I just hope I get a chance to see her in person one day.
To my understanding, her survival is solely because of the Texas state government postwar, as a source of pride. Without that desire, she would have been scrapped like the other dreadnoughts. IIRC she is also the sole survivor of the dreadnought era of battleships.
The fact she didn't need more than maintenance pumping on the move makes me feel pretty solid about her future! I really hope we get to see some of the really bad parts when work starts to get us a full understanding (and following appreciation) for the conservation efforts being made. I hope to see her when she becomes open to the public. Been wanting for years, so what is a few more years to get to see her in the best shape she's been for decades?
A certain amount of pumping was expected simply because there is always a small amount of leaks into the ship. It was thought that it would increase simply due to the stresses placed upon the hull during the tow. However, it turned out that no more than what normally occurred was experienced.
The fact that massive steel beast sits on those keels in dry dock amazes me. The amount of blood, sweat, history, and sheer engineering put into her makes me wish she'd last forever. I'm incredibly grateful to you all for taking care of her.
My thoughts, exactly. They have a survey of the blocking from when she was built and they lay it out according to that survey. THIS would be a video I would like to see, the docking of a large ship. They must use massive forklifts or cranes to get the blocks in position. Then, divers have to be underneath to verify position as she settles on the hard. W.O.W.
As a North Carolinian and having our Battleship going through a similar process of repair, I'm happy to see that Grand Lady Texas is getting the love she desperately deserves too.
North Carolina is high on my list to visit! I'm really impressed by the Living with Water effort, building natural flood baffles and wetlands to mitigate the flooding issues! Next year, I hope!
@@wmc5431 They also have a guardian alligator 2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hLJwpojISQ/Tom52mzYspI/AAAAAAAAD4M/NswUL7j8uCU/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/gator%2Bat%2Buss%2Bnorth%2Bcarolina.jpg.
This ship is such a huge part of history, glad to see her safe and drying out. She is not just representing US history, but naval warfare history worldwide, and all the Super Dreads that are gone.
It is such a shame that all the dreadnoughts before her and super dreads after her were scrapped, nuked, or sunk as targets. How did they not preserve at least one of the Pearl Harbor battleships? Arizona does not count since she is sunken. Arizona is a sunken memorial, not a museum ship.
Absolutely amazing images of the ship out of the water. She looks much better than I was thinking she would. Have you guys considered saving what original metal you can and selling it as little items in the ship's store? Like you guys did with the paper weights and other things while repairs were underway at her old home? It would be kind of neat to have a piece of the ship's torpedo blister sitting on my desk.. if it going to be cut away anyway, might as well generate some funds from it.
My grandfather was on this glorious ship in WW2. I saw her this past May for the first time. Thank you for the update & your enthusiasm about her & your very hard work.
I remember seeing the Texas with a lot of rusting near the water line, good to see it's looking better now. Especially now hearing it's getting cleaned and repaired for once since around 40 years I think...
What you remember is correct. The most rust prone area on any steel hull is at the wind-water line. That is the area where it’s constantly exposed to either air or water.
As a Former US Navy Sailor who also had his Ship Drydocked, and had visited the USS Texas years ago, it is great to see this video. Few get to see the underside of a ship and learn some of what it takes to keep these things floating. I had the "pleasure" of working inside the Voids of the USS Yosemite (AD-19) to remove the Rust that you mentioned (from the inside out).
@@mikestanley9176 We were using Air-Compressed Needle Guns to remove the Rust. It was incredibly loud, the Light disappeared in the Cloud of Rust and I would have to hack out Rust for about an Hour after each shift in the Hole. One guy fell into the Void and Broke his Leg. They used Ropes to hoist him out of that terrible place. But, I am glad for the experience.
@@JasonMtx2 Thank you for your thoughts. The did give us Old Coveralls to wear, which we found were best used without your clothing underneath as they would get filthy anyway and the heat was already almost unbearable. So, we would strip down and put on the Coveralls and then Hose off as soon as we came out of the Void. It was truly an other-wordly experience.
Jeebus that thing is huge, and if you placed her next to the Iowa, she’d appear tiny… amazing. Great work Battleship Texas Foundation, and thank you for preserving a key piece of our Navy’s history!!
Battleship Texas is the last survivor of her generation of battleship anywhere in the world, survivor of both World Wars. While I am familiar with the Iowa class and watched them do their thing in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Texas fascinates me. I wish I could visit her and watch her do her thing as well, but 'tis not to be.
There is picture of USS Wisconsin and USS Oklahoma tied up together at Pearl Harbor. Oklahoma looks like a tug boat next to the Wisconsin and the Oklahoma was about the same size as Texas
@@guymorris6596 Yep. I recall a story where they were bombarding further inland and a German commander held his formations back at juuust beyond the Texas' gun battery range. The Texas' commander flooded the side of the ship opposite the direction of fire(effecting a list), allowing the guns to elevate just that much more to hit the German formation.
As a fellow Texan I am so proud of Our Battle Ship Texas and I and so many others devour any and all video documentation that You folks are presenting . Please keep the videos coming. Thank You. GO TEXAS !
This was the video I'd been waiting for, patiently waiting. The ship looks absolutely amazing. I've said it before, but battleships have a certain aura about them.
@@catrienclayton7122 He mentioned that the propellers, exterior shafts and support struts were removed after she was decommissioned for the last time in 1948. I think it likely that they were 'recycled,' either used on other ships after refurbishment or simply smelted down to be used to cast new props.
The difference between the 1988 tow and this year's tow couldn't be bigger. I've heard stories about how nail-biting the tow was back then, but this year everyone involved talks about how easy it was. The preparation put into that over the last few years really paid off, and I can't wait to visit the ship again. Great video!
That 1988 tow was almost a disaster. She was sinking and listing really badly and cleared the drydock by only six inches!!!!! If she hadn't been able to get on the drydock she would have sunk in Galveston Harbor.
Glad to hear you are mapping the hull. There were quite a few disappointed ship modelers when the much anticipated 1/350 Trumpeter kit released with a wildly inaccurate hull.
Did they ever end up fixing that issue? i need to start up where i left off with my 1/700 trumpeter kit of Texas, that i put away in storage last year!
No matter how much money it takes this ship needs to be kept forever. It is the most awesome, badass feat of American engineering from more than 100 years ago. If it gets too bad to keep afloat the keep it a museum ship on a permanent dry dock! You can always find a way to save something if you care about it enough.
Thank you for saving and taking care of the old girl she deserves it for sure as a treasure she is a truely amazing piece of history I hope to see her in person someday.
I'm so glad to see your work preserving her. Every summer in the late 1960s. My dad would take me to the battleship. Those are very fond memories of time I spent with my dad. He was retired navy( ww2 ) and loved touring the ship as much as I did. He has been gone for many years now. I miss him a lot. I will continue to watch and keep up to date on the videos. They absolutely fascinate me. Keep up the great work 👍
Glad to see her in better shape than I expected! Last time I saw her, in 2019, she was rather sadly listing and was already shut down for public tours. USS Texas has a special significance for me, because my Dad saw (and heard) her fire her guns in anger in two Pacific campaigns during WW2, as a Bosun's Mate aboard another ship. He said there was really nothing like it, especially when those big shells seemed to be rumbling right overhead! Thanks for a great update!
If you check the photos of Pointe du Hoc right next to Omaha Beach it is filled with huge craters that have been left preserved as a memorial to the D-Day landings. Guess who made those craters? TEXAS!
30 years* the coating wasn't put on until the repairs in the late 80's and 91', when she had major leaks in the hull from being set down into sand that acted like sandpaper grinding the metal down.
@@MidnightVisions outside only the inside is pretty bad ok once those blisters come off it's gonna be a rust shit show somewhere there's a video of them crawling though it a couple years ago and it was bad really bad like they had to add steel to keep the ship form collapsing on her own weight they had to do that before the last dry dock not as much as this time but anytime there is that much rot man wish we could put her back new again
I've been on there twice, once as a little kid and once as a parent showing her off to my kids. Having been born and raised in Texas it means something special to me. We need to preserve as much American history as we can.
Outstanding! This makes me so happy to see that we’re keeping a grand old dame and American icon and legend alive and well for future generations to see and hopefully appreciate! Thank you thank you thank you! 🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️💪👊🫶👍
I really appreciate all the effort making this happen. Like many other families, mine has a special reverence for the Texas. Lots of great memories. Please keep the updates coming. We watch them all.
I remember visiting the ship in 1996 when everything still looked good from the recent dry docking. The paint was nice and dark and I could explore all the way down into the engine area. They were still working on refurbishing many of the interior rooms and passage ways, but it was still quite an adventure for me on a day off from work. I look forward to visiting the old battleship wherever it will be located after this current restoration.
Have you considered having a team from The History Channel, Discovery Channel or similar document the repairs? They might provide funding to you folks for the chance to record the project.
That's a fantastic idea. Could also see if one of the streaming services would be interested making a documentary and helping with funding, like Curiosity.
Yeah it would be nice to see what kind of manufactured drama they Discovery team could come up with to fill the four minute slot between commercial breaks. 🙄
Thank You for taking such good care of our lady! Once this heritage is gone, it fades to legend. Having a physical example to show our grandkids communicates reality in a very powerful way. It also makes re-writing history a bit more difficult. God Bless you all - Anchors Aweigh!
She is truly magnificent, thank you for this! Amazing footage. I'm from North Carolina and I've seen our beloved Showboat in her drained cofferdam but she's sunk about 20 feet deep into the Cape Fear River mud, getting to see a battleship, even a smaller battleship than BB-55, out of the water gives a sense of the enormity and vastness! I've yet to visit USS Texas, I'm so happy she's getting the TLC she deserves, she's basically the 20th century version of USS Constitution, the oldest and last of their type.
I was holding my breath when he was walking under there. The size is just unimaginable, since we never get to see the underside of a battleship. I would have been scared to death walking under there, even though it's obvious she's not going anywhere, but still.
One thing I've always wanted to see is what its like up in the fire control tower. I know it was never open up for tours but they were always my favorite feature of the american battleships of the early war period.
Battleship New Jersey channel helping to cover Texas showed a picture of a rusted out area the whole area was rusted and the workers reported they would not step onto the deck as they were afraid they would step through the deck
@Daniel Wright yes thanks, I was just about to mention those pics online that I can't seem to find anymore. It looks pretty rusty but empty in the fire control tower. I was always interested in it ever since I saw the fire control tower that looked just like the one on USS Texas come crashing down during the battle scene in the Pearl Harbor movie from 2001.
All concerned clearly did a fantastic job of preparing the ship for the tow. I for one breathed a big sigh of relief when she was safely in the drydock. I would be very interested in seeing the plans for addressing the ship's structural integrity in order to stop the leaks and avoid further collapsing of the hull.
She looks much better below the water line than I would have expected. The coating did its job. Best of luck with the ongoing repairs and hopefully there is not too many surprises once you open the blisters
Born in Houston and raised in Texas when I decided to visit the ship last year. I was amazed how huge it was in person and it felt like it took me back in time it's a Beautiful Ship I salute those who served on this ship if you see my comment. Thank you for your service God bless you 🙏🏼
Been waiting for this video, but I knew you guys would be busy. She looks really good, better than I expected. This video is the greatest argument against sinking ships in the mud. I've felt for years that what's been done to North Carolina and Alabama is a tragedy. (This isn't a knock at the caretakers of those ships, you do what you can with what you have) It's quite obvious that with the proper coating, they can absolutely be preserved while still afloat. The extensive work you folks did prior to the move is obvious. I watched all day and couldn't have dreamed of the move going any more perfectly. Looking forward to visiting the old girl again at her new home (the last time I walked her decks, they were covered in concrete before the 88/89 dry docking). Thank you for preserving this priceless piece of world history.
At least in Showboat's case, it wasn't deliberate - just a consequence of the Cape Fear River being fairly silty. Still, worked out for her, the only parts that needed replacement due to corrosion was the waterline steel. (I own a piece. Coolest thing I own.)
I have always wondered why you wouldn't just permanently display a ship in drydock if you can't afford to keep it afloat...surely this is a better option than scuttling it, no?
@@Sintaxx Ships especially something as old and as heavy as the Battleship Texas needs to be supported by water or some other substance like sitting in mud up close to her waterline. She can be dry docked like they have her now and sit her on her keel and keel blocks for dry docking since she was obviously designed to handle this, but not for years and years at a time. Due to her incredible weight and not being supported around the length of her hull she would eventually start to fail structurally under her own load.
Might I say, Travis has a wonderful mechanical aptitude paired with insightful historical context. It was so interesting to learn about the ships past restorations and even learn a little shipbuilding along with it! Phenomenal video, would have loved to see that dreadnought cruisin’ along in the bay 🥲
Thank you for this video, I really do appreciate it and hope we can get more like it, Texas needs a social media team like that of New Jersey's. Im glad to see her getting this much needed treatment, and I really hope to see her come out better.
I have always wanted to see the majestic lady but was never able to. Thank you all for your time and effort’s on keeping this piece of history alive for many more generations to come.
Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to get this amazing lady to this point! Its fantastic that even one third of the way around this Earth, you allow us to keep up with the progress you’re making to preserve her for future generations. 👏👏👏
I would love to see more of the interior in areas that were flooding before and have a talk about what is going to be done about those sections as well as other rusted areas around the ship. Thanks!
I am so relieved that she did so well with the tow. Was a bit of a concern with it. Looks great considering her age. Thanks for putting so much love and attention into the old girl.
I appreciate your honesty and transparency Travis, which is the one thing I love about this community (I'm a tour guide at New Jersey), is the honesty of the people when talking about issues with the ship. I am curious on what the plan is with the caved in framing mid-ships, whether they are going to be stabilized or fully rebuilt. Shame the rudder won't be adjusted, simply because my OCD is going off on one, but hey, your ship, your choice. Well done and I look forward to the new updates
Yep, but his reasoning for not moving it is a solid one. It was her last commanded rudder position thus it will stay that way. Sounds like a good enough reason to me.
When the TEXAS and NEW JERSEY were in service, and before that, it was traditional (and I hope it still is, in print) to have ship names stand out in print. If they cannot be in italics, then they should be in all caps. As a tour guide, you might even explain this to the groups you guide.
@@jayss10 oh yeah I'm not saying it isn't a valid reason, it is logical and makes sense. OCD is not a logical condition as I've learned through therapy lol
Following from Toronto Ont. Canada. So happy for you guys. She's come a long way and will live for many more years thanks to all who put in the hard work. She appreciates it and will give you a sign be it a rainbow and yield you a surprise.
@@bebo4807 😃I can imagine months out in battle turning guys crazy fighting each other. My Grandfather was a merchant marine during WW2. He later went on working the biggest tug on Great Lakes called G.W. Rogers based here in Toronto. She was built in around 1908. I have fond memories of that tug. We have the last Tribal Class Destroyer here in Hamilton Ontario, HMCS Haida. Sister ship to Athabaskan. She was sunk near English Channel. Haida had to sail on without saving all her men for fear of a torpedo strike.
This was great! I was introduced to the ship through a videogame and actually donated to the fundraiser for the foundation as a result of that. Here you are showing the dry docking, which I've only ever seen under an Australian submarine. Goodonya and good luck! Subscribed.
I have visited this beautiful ship twice, loving every minute of the tours. Thank you so much for saving her for future generations. We toured the Wisconsin and Missouri as well, with thoughts of all the battles they survived, and all of the men who served on them. So appreciate your hard work.
I wish I could have been aboard for the Tow! Special THANK YOU to everyone who worked so hard to get her into the yard for some well-deserved attention. I wish I could be there with you! (Age and Injuries have me on the sidelines these days.) Keep us updated on when she will be reopened to the public. I'm planning on being there Opening Day!
Fantastic work in getting her to where she's at today! You know, in addition to selling paperweights from the removed steel, have you considered putting together a book on the whole repair process, from start to finish? I realize that's probably a couple of years down the road, but I bet there'd be a demand for such a book; I'd buy a copy. A ggodly amount of photos, ship's plans, sketches, stories from the crew (both the active-duty and the maintenance crews who've kept her together through the years, and those who're doing the work today), and maybe even lessons learned from how to keep a 110-year -old museum battleship open to the public.
I love this! I was aboard her in the late sixties when we went on a field trip in school to the San Jacinto monument and then to the Battleship Texas!!! I have been playing the lottery so I could donate money to her restoration. I would love to visit her now after these many years. Can't wait till she is restored and ready for more visits... Thanks for all you do to keep her afloat!
I expected the hull to be in much worse condition. The rudder was a LOT smaller than I would have thought for a ship that size. It didn't even look big enough for the Bolivar Ferry.
@@joed9491 the rudder on the Texas is long length but short height… titanic had a tall, but short length rudder. That’s what ultimately doomed her. Texas’ rudder, from a technical perspective, is far superior as it better utilized the thrust of the propellers. The rudder on titanic did not cover enough surface area to make high speed turning effective. From what I’ve read, even at flank speed Texas and other US dreadnaught battleships could turn on a dime if they needed to.
for some reason , it does look extremely small in this video . Take a look here, looks a lot bigger on this footage : ua-cam.com/video/w4ySvXXpbI0/v-deo.html
I love the ship and you guys. The ship is important, but where and who participate in our history is just amazing and we are proud of them and proud of this crew for keep this piece of history alive for us and future generations. Thank you
Love seeing what what you'll are doing she is a great piece of history. Have been to see her many times with my son,father & grandfather over the last 30 years. She was one of the battleships to escort my grandfather home from World War II Thank you for the hard work I hope she's around for a very long time.
Wow, wow, wow! I would love it if she could be displayed in a permanent dry dock. It really makes you appreciate the impressive size and unique shape of the Texas. I think it would be fun to do this same walk around in person and would draw so many more visitors and tourists if it was in dry dock.
I agree. A ship this size would display so nicely out of water, when I visited her 12 years ago I was so disappointed that it almost 100 years old she still lay in saltwater. I hope someday that these old ships can be placed out of the water and preserved for future generations without spending 50 million dollars every 10 years in renovations.
@@ralf00001 that'd make to much sense don't you know, and the purest would throw fits for days that she was built for sitting in the water, because it supports her weight far better. But a nice set of cribbing could be constructed to spread her weight evenly I'm sure, and while it would be expensive initially, it would more than pay for itself in maintenance cost alone in no time I would think. Only thing is then you've got to find a place that works for getting public access, and in a place that's far enough away from the salt air, because that in itself is a highly corrosive atmosphere. Plus finding that piece of property large enough to hold the ship, the parking space required, the power source capable of maintaining ventilation equipment lighting, a maintenance facility for all trades needed to maintain her inside and out. The prices of land especially commercial properties has gone plume stupid last year or so. But logically it makes far more sense to permanently dry dock her, and do everything that's needed for her to support herself permanently, and insure that she doesn't rot away at the supports themselves be absolute necessity. I would think that it would be possibly even far cheaper in the long haul especially since it's tax exempt government property, and you know that they'll use the old standard of procuring the suitable site from whomever happens to be owner of the property they choose to use for her final resting place. But as I said, it's the logical thing to do, so probably never happen that way at least not in our lifetime I wouldn't think. It's a thought though, and maybe someone with the power to persuade the government office that's in control of her finds this as logical a long term solution to save billions of dollars far into the future for the care grand ole ladies care, and preservation. Hopefully I worded myself properly and correctly here, and if I hurt someone's feelings. Well nothing I can say different, and still get it accurate as well as factual in my opinion.
The only opinions I've seen that the ship will collapse or be damaged when out of the water have been made by, or quoted from, people who are not qualified to make them. Structural studies performed on Texas by marine architects and engineers concluded that the ship could be safely displayed out of the water. $50 million in hull structure repairs were made to the ship between 2014-18 to correct framing problems and make sure she was capable of doing that. That doesn't mean that there wouldn't be some settling and small amount of damage. It does mean that there would not be any significant failures. There were a number of dry berthing proposals studied over a 10 year period, starting around 2005 and the most attractive one was priced out at about $100 million. This was unaffordable considering the $50 million that had already been spent. However, $35 million was given for the current hull shell plating repairs that will make her hull tight and good for at least 10 to 15 years before the next dry dock. It also sets the stage for a long term, sustainable hull maintenance plan.
@@tomscotttheolderone364 This is false. The one who made this cla is the ambassador for the USS New Jersey. They would have to cut open the hull on both sides and brace the super structure. You literally saw what the water did to the metal on the sides of the USS Texas. Ships are built to use the water for structural support. If you research how much each level of this ship weighs then it's easy to agree that it could absolutely pancake
9:12 no big deal the torpedo bulges are made from much thinner steel. Now if this was original hull plates then there would be some concern. I'm thoroughly impressed with paint system on the wetted area of the hull.
I'm impressed with the paint system as well. Thing is the torpedo bulges need to be taken off so the same or better paint system is put on the actual hull. She doesn't need the screws, stabilizers, blisters or even the rudder. Cut cost, and save the hull with the limited resources.
@@jefffrayer8238 they've filled the bulges with spray in foam restoring bouyancy. Also a few tons of foam helps with ballast too. If the bulges had not been there she would be in even worse shape as sand that was packed against her would have scoured the hull plates and rivets.
Wow! I wish the dry berth was a viable option. It would be mighty impressive to visit her fully out of the water and to be able to walk around and underneath.
Thanks Travis for all that you and everyone does to help her. Weekly update would definitely be appreciated as well as live webcams, one above and one below. That way we can see what is going on without taking valuable time from you and others away from Texas. Thanks again.
Aw, she's looking absolutely gorgeous. I'm so glad to see the renovation is underway; I'm finally at the point in my life where I can take the time and money to make the trips out to visit the various museum ships in our country, and I was hoping Battleship Texas would still be around for me to visit. I can wait a bit longer 'til she's ready for visitors once again; I can always visit Patriot's Point and North Carolina and Alabama again while I wait. ;)
So you're saying you're not going to move the rudder? In seriousness though, even in your exhausted state we can sense your excitement. That excitement is what makes you a good curator, and I look forward to taking a trip down to her new home to see the fruit of that excitement.
Im not too concerned with the rudder there was a reason it wasnt addressed in 1988/89. What I am concerned with is how they are simply going to chop off the blister below the water line and not replace it. Thats not what the Austin discussion was indicating, it was indicating the hull below the water line would be re plated not just simply chopped off and discarded. This is already making the foundation look bad to be moving away from replating to simple removal and discarding.
@@boogts, but it's not a tack on. It provides bouyancy to the Texas as well as it's part of the shape of Texas. The rudder has no effect on towing her or when she's sitting at dock to require the monetary expense to make the rudder moveable again.
Maybe they could put a temporary "bubble" around the rudder, constructed so as to not cause a turning effect, when they tow it back to wherever. A big block of styrofoam, sculpted to be hydrodynamic, and covered in urethane or epoxy or something, should hold together at 6 knots towing speed.
I am very happy to see this work being done to her. She is the most beautiful battleship I have ever step foot on. I find it honoring to know that the rudder has not been touched since the last order given. I think it should stay that way. I cannot wait to visit her when the repairs are complete.
Thank you so very much for this update and for all the hard work you all are doing! I'm so very glad the ship is getting this work done. I visited her the very first time when I was a few months short of 10 years old back in 1966. Looking forward to following her progress with your upcoming updates. Also looking forward to getting to visit her when she is finished and at her new home.
So awesome, loved visiting this behemoth as a kid. Very appreciative to everything the foundation does for this relic. I am so glad she’s getting her well needed restoration!
GREAT video Travis, Thanks go out to everyone who has had anything to do with this process, from donors to volunteers the foundation and everyone in between. She is beyond beautiful 8/31/2022 was a highlight day in my life. I'm beyond excited.
G'day Travis, WOW! OK, now I'm a military historian and I should know better but as I'm an ex-air force type, I had absolutely no idea there was so much mass of the vessel beneath the waterline in these New York Class battleships. In my little spare time I've even modelled two of the Iowa Class in 1/350 scale and even in that miniaturised version it's impossible to get a feel for the true scale of real capital ships. You great people who look after WW2 warships are doing a vitally important job; thanks too must go to your respective state governments and the taxpayers of your states. It is difficult for many people to understand the singular historic value of these magnificent symbols of sacrifice, service and liberty that all old warships represent. Every old ship, old tank or aircraft that goes to the scrap or breakers' yard is one huge step towards historical ignorance in the far distant future. Sure enough, millions of digital images, period film, documents and old photographs mean that these assets will always be represented but without the artifacts themselves there is no information system I know of that can show off an Iowa or New York Class battleship the way you just did, Travis; simply by walking around the real thing. In doing this you are mentally, if not physically, connecting us to all those who fought, died or survived on her. Thank you so much, Travis. Cheers, Bill Halliwell Hobart Tasmania P.S. Just a week or so before the pandemic began in earnest, my wife and I were set to depart on a, maybe, final trip to the UK and the US to see military landmarks that any real military historian should see at least once in their lives. The USS Missouri and the USS Texas were on our 'bucket list' part of our US visit. I wanted to see the, up close, differences between the two classes of warship. (Although nothing can beat your dry dock walkaround and other videos you've made.) It is still my fervent hope that we can still make that visit, now I know to leave a little time before we embark on that journey. We'll wait till the dear old Texas is back in her home berth.
The hull plating looks much better than I expected! Thanks for the very informative walk-around! Looking forward to your updates! Proud Heritage; Proud Purpose!
Had to double take at the end when you said that the ship is 110 years old - indeed she is, but WOW she looks good! Thank you for this unprecedented look at a battleship in dry dock. Can’t wait to see more!
I think it would be cool once she makes it to her new berth after refurb to have some land vehicles displayed near her from the year she was commissioned such as a car, tractor and/or military vehicle. Might give some nice perspective.
This ship is the pride of the state, and it’s awesome history. Thank you all for ensuring her transition from Houston to Galveston was priority 1. Can’t wait to see the work in the near future. Keep up the great work!!
Finally!! Been waiting for this video, I assumed you would have one up after pressure washing. Seems like the steel well below the waterline is in really good shape, just need to replace everything at the waterline.
Thanks for the update and all the hard work you guys put in. Amazing job. I use to come down for the hard hat tours. I carried a big camera with a large flash and lots of film. Spent a whole lot of money developing film. I have a very large photo album with almost every compartment photographed arranged in order of the tour.
Thanks for posting. My uncle was stationed on the Texas during WWII. I’m trying to track his service career. He was 22nd Marines and KIA on Enewetak, Engebi, on FEB 18, 1944. Plt Sgt. Charles Richard Kennedy from Boston.
Travis, First of all, a huge HUGE congratulations to you and all the crew that got this done. It's amazing to see her underside up close like this. And yes, the hull does look really good considering . You are one of the luckiest people in the world to have felt the old girl's deck moving under your feet while she was being towed. There's no doubt that she is in good hands. I will admit that I was not in favor of moving her from San Jacinto originally. I've changed my mind on that; if that's what we have to do to keep her for the next 100+ years then "Come On, Texas!" Looking forward to seeing more videos.
Just remember that the New York class battleships were scheduled to be scrapped when the North Carolina class was commissioned but because of world events of the day they were kept in service.
We would love Daily updates! There is a huge community that would love to see MORE of this old girl. She deserves to be seen more and the more her restoration is seen the more people will want to see her in person... Please guys give us more of this beauty and this symbol of pride in the history of naval warfare...
The ship is going to be in drydock for at least a year... there isn't progress to show on a daily basis, and the people involved are all busy with the repair work.
I was on one of the towboats that took it from San Jacinto to the Fred Hartman Bridge where we were released. It was an absolute honor to be part of this move and will remember it for the rest of my life
Thanks bud
🍻
I was one to the towboats...I don't remember you
I watched as she was moored at San Jacinto Park back in 88 I think it was, mid 80s there about. Awesome sight watching them bring her in.
Not often someone gets to move a Dreadnaught these days.
Just watch your video on that adventure! You had one of the best seats for filming this piece of history!
Considering her age, she is in amazing condition. As a Brit with more than a passing interesting in Naval warfare I am glad that this Grand old Dame of the sea is getting the attention she deserves. She is one of the last remaining ships of her era, a historical and technological marvel of her day, and needs to be preserved as long as humanly possible. I just hope I get a chance to see her in person one day.
To my understanding, her survival is solely because of the Texas state government postwar, as a source of pride. Without that desire, she would have been scrapped like the other dreadnoughts.
IIRC she is also the sole survivor of the dreadnought era of battleships.
Mark, we simply do not comment on a lady's age in polite society. 😃
@@TheEDFLegacy Texas is big on history, we actually had Texas history classes from 5th-12th grade.
She is absolutely beautiful in person! Have toured her several times.
She was at the San Jacinto Monument site of the battle that won Texas Independence! But in the future she will remain in Galveston.
The fact she didn't need more than maintenance pumping on the move makes me feel pretty solid about her future! I really hope we get to see some of the really bad parts when work starts to get us a full understanding (and following appreciation) for the conservation efforts being made. I hope to see her when she becomes open to the public. Been wanting for years, so what is a few more years to get to see her in the best shape she's been for decades?
They didnt run the pumps in any compartment during the tow. However, a lot of spaces were full of foam.
Its filled with foam dude
Don't "dude" someone you don't know. You're probably from Seattle or something.
@@EasyKill7 did you watch the video. They had pumps cycling on and off the entire tow.
A certain amount of pumping was expected simply because there is always a small amount of leaks into the ship. It was thought that it would increase simply due to the stresses placed upon the hull during the tow. However, it turned out that no more than what normally occurred was experienced.
The fact that massive steel beast sits on those keels in dry dock amazes me. The amount of blood, sweat, history, and sheer engineering put into her makes me wish she'd last forever. I'm incredibly grateful to you all for taking care of her.
My thoughts, exactly. They have a survey of the blocking from when she was built and they lay it out according to that survey. THIS would be a video I would like to see, the docking of a large ship. They must use massive forklifts or cranes to get the blocks in position. Then, divers have to be underneath to verify position as she settles on the hard. W.O.W.
Same thoughts
Thankfully this project will extend her life!
As a North Carolinian and having our Battleship going through a similar process of repair, I'm happy to see that Grand Lady Texas is getting the love she desperately deserves too.
North Carolina is high on my list to visit! I'm really impressed by the Living with Water effort, building natural flood baffles and wetlands to mitigate the flooding issues! Next year, I hope!
@@wmc5431 They also have a guardian alligator 2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hLJwpojISQ/Tom52mzYspI/AAAAAAAAD4M/NswUL7j8uCU/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/gator%2Bat%2Buss%2Bnorth%2Bcarolina.jpg.
This ship is such a huge part of history, glad to see her safe and drying out. She is not just representing US history, but naval warfare history worldwide, and all the Super Dreads that are gone.
super dread is just waste of money once not in use
theyre complex and maintenance instensif
just saying
and not like ww1 make everyone broke
except US
It is such a shame that all the dreadnoughts before her and super dreads after her were scrapped, nuked, or sunk as targets. How did they not preserve at least one of the Pearl Harbor battleships? Arizona does not count since she is sunken. Arizona is a sunken memorial, not a museum ship.
Absolutely amazing images of the ship out of the water. She looks much better than I was thinking she would. Have you guys considered saving what original metal you can and selling it as little items in the ship's store? Like you guys did with the paper weights and other things while repairs were underway at her old home? It would be kind of neat to have a piece of the ship's torpedo blister sitting on my desk.. if it going to be cut away anyway, might as well generate some funds from it.
This is an awesome idea.
Absolutely. IIRC a small number of Bowie knives were forged from steel removed during the last drydocking.
@@PhantomP63 Not metal, but I have a set of pistol grips made from some of her old deck wood.
@@MScotty90 That is badass lol
The original steel is prewar, it is extremely valuable. It has no radiation in it. All postwar steel does. That’s why people steal the wrecks.
My grandfather was on this glorious ship in WW2. I saw her this past May for the first time. Thank you for the update & your enthusiasm about her & your very hard work.
My grandfather was also on this ship!
I remember seeing the Texas with a lot of rusting near the water line, good to see it's looking better now. Especially now hearing it's getting cleaned and repaired for once since around 40 years I think...
33 years was the last time she was drydocked but they've done many repairs where she was birthed
What you remember is correct. The most rust prone area on any steel hull is at the wind-water line. That is the area where it’s constantly exposed to either air or water.
As a Former US Navy Sailor who also had his Ship Drydocked, and had visited the USS Texas years ago, it is great to see this video. Few get to see the underside of a ship and learn some of what it takes to keep these things floating. I had the "pleasure" of working inside the Voids of the USS Yosemite (AD-19) to remove the Rust that you mentioned (from the inside out).
I remember doing the same thind on USS Julius A Furer in Charleston in 1980.
@@mikestanley9176 We were using Air-Compressed Needle Guns to remove the Rust. It was incredibly loud, the Light disappeared in the Cloud of Rust and I would have to hack out Rust for about an Hour after each shift in the Hole. One guy fell into the Void and Broke his Leg. They used Ropes to hoist him out of that terrible place. But, I am glad for the experience.
@@JasonMtx2 Thank you for your thoughts. The did give us Old Coveralls to wear, which we found were best used without your clothing underneath as they would get filthy anyway and the heat was already almost unbearable. So, we would strip down and put on the Coveralls and then Hose off as soon as we came out of the Void. It was truly an other-wordly experience.
Jeebus that thing is huge, and if you placed her next to the Iowa, she’d appear tiny… amazing. Great work Battleship Texas Foundation, and thank you for preserving a key piece of our Navy’s history!!
Battleship Texas is the last survivor of her generation of battleship anywhere in the world, survivor of both World Wars. While I am familiar with the Iowa class and watched them do their thing in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Texas fascinates me. I wish I could visit her and watch her do her thing as well, but 'tis not to be.
There is picture of USS Wisconsin and USS Oklahoma tied up together at Pearl Harbor. Oklahoma looks like a tug boat next to the Wisconsin and the Oklahoma was about the same size as Texas
I remember seeing the Iowa when she was tied up in Suisun Bay in California, and she looked tiny amidst the cargo ships surrounding her.
Texas was present at the D Day festivities in 1944.
@@guymorris6596 Yep. I recall a story where they were bombarding further inland and a German commander held his formations back at juuust beyond the Texas' gun battery range. The Texas' commander flooded the side of the ship opposite the direction of fire(effecting a list), allowing the guns to elevate just that much more to hit the German formation.
As a fellow Texan I am so proud of Our Battle Ship Texas and I and so many others devour any and all video documentation that You folks are presenting . Please keep the videos coming. Thank You. GO TEXAS !
This was the video I'd been waiting for, patiently waiting. The ship looks absolutely amazing. I've said it before, but battleships have a certain aura about them.
We waited until the hull was free of any marine growth so everyone could easily see the condition the ship is in.
@@BattleshipTexas what happened to the propellers
@@catrienclayton7122 They where removed as part of the decommissioning process.
@@steveb6103 oo Okey thanks 👍♥️
@@catrienclayton7122 He mentioned that the propellers, exterior shafts and support struts were removed after she was decommissioned for the last time in 1948. I think it likely that they were 'recycled,' either used on other ships after refurbishment or simply smelted down to be used to cast new props.
The difference between the 1988 tow and this year's tow couldn't be bigger. I've heard stories about how nail-biting the tow was back then, but this year everyone involved talks about how easy it was. The preparation put into that over the last few years really paid off, and I can't wait to visit the ship again. Great video!
That 1988 tow was almost a disaster. She was sinking and listing really badly and cleared the drydock by only six inches!!!!! If she hadn't been able to get on the drydock she would have sunk in Galveston Harbor.
Glad to hear you are mapping the hull. There were quite a few disappointed ship modelers when the much anticipated 1/350 Trumpeter kit released with a wildly inaccurate hull.
Did they ever end up fixing that issue? i need to start up where i left off with my 1/700 trumpeter kit of Texas, that i put away in storage last year!
No matter how much money it takes this ship needs to be kept forever. It is the most awesome, badass feat of American engineering from more than 100 years ago. If it gets too bad to keep afloat the keep it a museum ship on a permanent dry dock! You can always find a way to save something if you care about it enough.
Thank you for saving and taking care of the old girl she deserves it for sure as a treasure she is a truely amazing piece of history I hope to see her in person someday.
Went there as a kid with my folks would go back. Really miss them and those days. Thanks for everything mom and dad. I'll always love and miss you.
I'm so glad to see your work preserving her. Every summer in the late 1960s. My dad would take me to the battleship. Those are very fond memories of time I spent with my dad. He was retired navy( ww2 ) and loved touring the ship as much as I did. He has been gone for many years now. I miss him a lot. I will continue to watch and keep up to date on the videos. They absolutely fascinate me. Keep up the great work 👍
Battleship Texas seems to be in good shape. Happy to see her out of the water. Thank you for the tour, can't wait for more.
Well done !! Congratulations to the staff and the people Texas for keeping this important piece of history alive. 🇺🇸
Glad to see her in better shape than I expected! Last time I saw her, in 2019, she was rather sadly listing and was already shut down for public tours. USS Texas has a special significance for me, because my Dad saw (and heard) her fire her guns in anger in two Pacific campaigns during WW2, as a Bosun's Mate aboard another ship. He said there was really nothing like it, especially when those big shells seemed to be rumbling right overhead! Thanks for a great update!
Cool Story.
If you check the photos of Pointe du Hoc right next to Omaha Beach it is filled with huge craters that have been left preserved as a memorial to the D-Day landings. Guess who made those craters? TEXAS!
looks way better than I expected below the waterline. just goes to show with the proper coating steel can last 100 years.
I work on pipelines that have coating intact from 1930. It's basically asphalt ans asbestos fabric
the last drydocking replaced much of the lower hull.
30 years* the coating wasn't put on until the repairs in the late 80's and 91', when she had major leaks in the hull from being set down into sand that acted like sandpaper grinding the metal down.
@@MidnightVisions outside only the inside is pretty bad ok once those blisters come off it's gonna be a rust shit show somewhere there's a video of them crawling though it a couple years ago and it was bad really bad like they had to add steel to keep the ship form collapsing on her own weight they had to do that before the last dry dock not as much as this time but anytime there is that much rot man wish we could put her back new again
Her bilges inside are heinously corroded! SO glad the plan going forward is a permanent DRY setting!
Marvelous battle ship, Texas has a proud history of defending her nation, "God Bless Texas"
I work at Newport News Shipbuilding so this is very interesting. Have fun with this. Good work ya'll
Y’all build really good ships. Thank you!
This is probably the oldest ship built there that still exists.
I've been on there twice, once as a little kid and once as a parent showing her off to my kids. Having been born and raised in Texas it means something special to me.
We need to preserve as much American history as we can.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT!! I FEEL SO PROUD FOR THIS SHIP AND THIS STATE!!
Outstanding! This makes me so happy to see that we’re keeping a grand old dame and American icon and legend alive and well for future generations to see and hopefully appreciate! Thank you thank you thank you! 🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️💪👊🫶👍
I really appreciate all the effort making this happen. Like many other families, mine has a special reverence for the Texas. Lots of great memories.
Please keep the updates coming. We watch them all.
I remember visiting the ship in 1996 when everything still looked good from the recent dry docking. The paint was nice and dark and I could explore all the way down into the engine area. They were still working on refurbishing many of the interior rooms and passage ways, but it was still quite an adventure for me on a day off from work. I look forward to visiting the old battleship wherever it will be located after this current restoration.
No you don't, stop lying...
Have you considered having a team from The History Channel, Discovery Channel or similar document the repairs? They might provide funding to you folks for the chance to record the project.
That's a fantastic idea. Could also see if one of the streaming services would be interested making a documentary and helping with funding, like Curiosity.
Brilliant idea!
We have a team that has been documenting the entire thing. Don't worry.
Yeah it would be nice to see what kind of manufactured drama they Discovery team could come up with to fill the four minute slot between commercial breaks. 🙄
I don't watch TV
Thank you for this presentation on the underside of Texas.
I’m a 65 year old woman who has known this girl all my life and I must say “she’s making me look bad”.
Thank You for taking such good care of our lady! Once this heritage is gone, it fades to legend. Having a physical example to show our grandkids communicates reality in a very powerful way. It also makes re-writing history a bit more difficult. God Bless you all - Anchors Aweigh!
I'm so glad the USS Texas is getting the love she needs.
God Bless that ship and all who are helping her stay proud.
She is truly magnificent, thank you for this! Amazing footage. I'm from North Carolina and I've seen our beloved Showboat in her drained cofferdam but she's sunk about 20 feet deep into the Cape Fear River mud, getting to see a battleship, even a smaller battleship than BB-55, out of the water gives a sense of the enormity and vastness!
I've yet to visit USS Texas, I'm so happy she's getting the TLC she deserves, she's basically the 20th century version of USS Constitution, the oldest and last of their type.
I was holding my breath when he was walking under there. The size
is just unimaginable, since we never get to see the underside of a
battleship. I would have been scared to death walking under there,
even though it's obvious she's not going anywhere, but still.
21 minutes in... i really can appreciate the way this man obviously loves the USS Texas. Thank you!!
One thing I've always wanted to see is what its like up in the fire control tower. I know it was never open up for tours but they were always my favorite feature of the american battleships of the early war period.
@Daniel Wright I can't find any, just exterior photos
Yeah I couldn’t find photos of it either
Battleship New Jersey channel helping to cover Texas showed a picture of a rusted out area the whole area was rusted and the workers reported they would not step onto the deck as they were afraid they would step through the deck
@@johnkenley4687 me either.
@Daniel Wright yes thanks, I was just about to mention those pics online that I can't seem to find anymore. It looks pretty rusty but empty in the fire control tower. I was always interested in it ever since I saw the fire control tower that looked just like the one on USS Texas come crashing down during the battle scene in the Pearl Harbor movie from 2001.
Very neat. 110 year's is crazy to think about. God bless America & The Texas. 🦅🇺🇸🦅
All concerned clearly did a fantastic job of preparing the ship for the tow. I for one breathed a big sigh of relief when she was safely in the drydock. I would be very interested in seeing the plans for addressing the ship's structural integrity in order to stop the leaks and avoid further collapsing of the hull.
Great Ship, Great State and Great People who bought and maintained this remarkable part of history.
She looks much better below the water line than I would have expected. The coating did its job. Best of luck with the ongoing repairs and hopefully there is not too many surprises once you open the blisters
Born in Houston and raised in Texas when I decided to visit the ship last year. I was amazed how huge it was in person and it felt like it took me back in time it's a Beautiful Ship I salute those who served on this ship if you see my comment. Thank you for your service God bless you 🙏🏼
Been waiting for this video, but I knew you guys would be busy. She looks really good, better than I expected. This video is the greatest argument against sinking ships in the mud. I've felt for years that what's been done to North Carolina and Alabama is a tragedy. (This isn't a knock at the caretakers of those ships, you do what you can with what you have) It's quite obvious that with the proper coating, they can absolutely be preserved while still afloat. The extensive work you folks did prior to the move is obvious. I watched all day and couldn't have dreamed of the move going any more perfectly. Looking forward to visiting the old girl again at her new home (the last time I walked her decks, they were covered in concrete before the 88/89 dry docking). Thank you for preserving this priceless piece of world history.
At least in Showboat's case, it wasn't deliberate - just a consequence of the Cape Fear River being fairly silty. Still, worked out for her, the only parts that needed replacement due to corrosion was the waterline steel. (I own a piece. Coolest thing I own.)
I have always wondered why you wouldn't just permanently display a ship in drydock if you can't afford to keep it afloat...surely this is a better option than scuttling it, no?
@@Sintaxx Ships especially something as old and as heavy as the Battleship Texas needs to be supported by water or some other substance like sitting in mud up close to her waterline. She can be dry docked like they have her now and sit her on her keel and keel blocks for dry docking since she was obviously designed to handle this, but not for years and years at a time. Due to her incredible weight and not being supported around the length of her hull she would eventually start to fail structurally under her own load.
Might I say, Travis has a wonderful mechanical aptitude paired with insightful historical context. It was so interesting to learn about the ships past restorations and even learn a little shipbuilding along with it! Phenomenal video, would have loved to see that dreadnought cruisin’ along in the bay 🥲
Thank you for this video, I really do appreciate it and hope we can get more like it, Texas needs a social media team like that of New Jersey's. Im glad to see her getting this much needed treatment, and I really hope to see her come out better.
The Battle Ship New Jersey did a couple of videos of the move to the drydock on the Texas. It was great to see them supporting other Museum Ships too.
i didn't know i wanted to learn about USN battleships til i started watching BSNJ vids ;D
I have always wanted to see the majestic lady but was never able to. Thank you all for your time and effort’s on keeping this piece of history alive for many more generations to come.
Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to get this amazing lady to this point! Its fantastic that even one third of the way around this Earth, you allow us to keep up with the progress you’re making to preserve her for future generations. 👏👏👏
Great revue. So proud that our great state has maintained this American treasure!!
The fact that she is in such good condition is a testament to her construction. And seeing her in dry dock really does give you the awe of her size.
I remember as a kid- around 1967, touring that beauty. Thank you so much for the update.
I would love to see more of the interior in areas that were flooding before and have a talk about what is going to be done about those sections as well as other rusted areas around the ship. Thanks!
I am so relieved that she did so well with the tow. Was a bit of a concern with it. Looks great considering her age. Thanks for putting so much love and attention into the old girl.
I appreciate your honesty and transparency Travis, which is the one thing I love about this community (I'm a tour guide at New Jersey), is the honesty of the people when talking about issues with the ship. I am curious on what the plan is with the caved in framing mid-ships, whether they are going to be stabilized or fully rebuilt. Shame the rudder won't be adjusted, simply because my OCD is going off on one, but hey, your ship, your choice. Well done and I look forward to the new updates
Sounds like it's all getting removed from the water line down
Yep, but his reasoning for not moving it is a solid one. It was her last commanded rudder position thus it will stay that way. Sounds like a good enough reason to me.
@@jayss10 Exactly. They're not going to mess with history because of people's weird obsession with having everything perfect.
When the TEXAS and NEW JERSEY were in service, and before that, it was traditional (and I hope it still is, in print) to have ship names stand out in print. If they cannot be in italics, then they should be in all caps. As a tour guide, you might even explain this to the groups you guide.
@@jayss10 oh yeah I'm not saying it isn't a valid reason, it is logical and makes sense. OCD is not a logical condition as I've learned through therapy lol
God Bless You, Texas, and Keep You Brave and Strong.
Following from Toronto Ont. Canada. So happy for you guys. She's come a long way and will live for many more years thanks to all who put in the hard work. She appreciates it and will give you a sign be it a rainbow and yield you a surprise.
Meet me under the bridge at dusk Lamb and we’ll settle this like men.
@@bebo4374 What you talking bout lol
Random jokes. I was drinking. I’m never awake at that time of day.
@@bebo4807 😃I can imagine months out in battle turning guys crazy fighting each other. My Grandfather was a merchant marine during WW2. He later went on working the biggest tug on Great Lakes called G.W. Rogers based here in Toronto. She was built in around 1908. I have fond memories of that tug. We have the last Tribal Class Destroyer here in Hamilton Ontario, HMCS Haida. Sister ship to Athabaskan. She was sunk near English Channel. Haida had to sail on without saving all her men for fear of a torpedo strike.
This was great! I was introduced to the ship through a videogame and actually donated to the fundraiser for the foundation as a result of that. Here you are showing the dry docking, which I've only ever seen under an Australian submarine. Goodonya and good luck! Subscribed.
Congratulations on the progress so far. She is even more awesome out of the water. Looking good. Thanks for the update.
Thanks!
I have visited this beautiful ship twice, loving every minute of the tours. Thank you so much for saving her for future generations. We toured the Wisconsin and Missouri as well, with thoughts of all the battles they survived, and all of the men who served on them. So appreciate your hard work.
Awsome to see this storied ship get this level of care. A fantastic job by all! Thanks for the update.
I wish I could have been aboard for the Tow!
Special THANK YOU to everyone who worked so hard to get her into the yard for some well-deserved attention. I wish I could be there with you! (Age and Injuries have me on the sidelines these days.)
Keep us updated on when she will be reopened to the public. I'm planning on being there Opening Day!
Need to do a collab video with Ryan from New Jersey someday. He promotes our ship so much
It's great to see history being preserved properly for future generations! God bless yall, God bless texas and God bless america!!
God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong. That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long
The angles in the dry dock truly show how massive the ship is
The dry dock itself is pretty amazing.
Fantastic work in getting her to where she's at today! You know, in addition to selling paperweights from the removed steel, have you considered putting together a book on the whole repair process, from start to finish? I realize that's probably a couple of years down the road, but I bet there'd be a demand for such a book; I'd buy a copy. A ggodly amount of photos, ship's plans, sketches, stories from the crew (both the active-duty and the maintenance crews who've kept her together through the years, and those who're doing the work today), and maybe even lessons learned from how to keep a 110-year -old museum battleship open to the public.
I would defiantly buy a book like that about the Texas.
I love this! I was aboard her in the late sixties when we went on a field trip in school to the San Jacinto monument and then to the Battleship Texas!!! I have been playing the lottery so I could donate money to her restoration. I would love to visit her now after these many years. Can't wait till she is restored and ready for more visits... Thanks for all you do to keep her afloat!
I expected the hull to be in much worse condition.
The rudder was a LOT smaller than I would have thought for a ship that size.
It didn't even look big enough for the Bolivar Ferry.
Which was the same with the Titanic. She might've been able to avoid the iceberg had her rudder not been so small.
@@joed9491 the rudder on the Texas is long length but short height… titanic had a tall, but short length rudder. That’s what ultimately doomed her. Texas’ rudder, from a technical perspective, is far superior as it better utilized the thrust of the propellers. The rudder on titanic did not cover enough surface area to make high speed turning effective. From what I’ve read, even at flank speed Texas and other US dreadnaught battleships could turn on a dime if they needed to.
for some reason , it does look extremely small in this video . Take a look here, looks a lot bigger on this footage : ua-cam.com/video/w4ySvXXpbI0/v-deo.html
@@TiborOriVonsmall Camera lens and the rudder's angle was distorting perception.
@@TiborOriVonsmall 0 Yeah it does seem much bigger from that angle.
I love the ship and you guys. The ship is important, but where and who participate in our history is just amazing and we are proud of them and proud of this crew for keep this piece of history alive for us and future generations. Thank you
I know you said she's steady but I still think it takes a lot of courage to walk under a 28,000 ton battleship!
if she falls, you'd never feel it.
Imagine being the diver he talked about putting those salvage plates on. There’s a job I’m glad I don’t have.
@@MScotty90 There's a reason they get paid tons of money...
Love seeing what what you'll are doing she is a great piece of history. Have been to see her many times with my son,father & grandfather over the last 30 years. She was one of the battleships to escort my grandfather home from World War II Thank you for the hard work I hope she's around for a very long time.
Really glad to see a video. I’m sure the small team is busy overseeing the repairs. Thank you.
Absolutely incredible what y’all are doing! What a worthy endeavor. Thank you so much for taking care of our beloved Texas.
Absolutely
Fantastic
I'm only a few minutes into the video, but "The Big Old Girl" does look pretty good all things considered after the initial hull clean.
Wow, wow, wow! I would love it if she could be displayed in a permanent dry dock. It really makes you appreciate the impressive size and unique shape of the Texas. I think it would be fun to do this same walk around in person and would draw so many more visitors and tourists if it was in dry dock.
I agree. A ship this size would display so nicely out of water, when I visited her 12 years ago I was so disappointed that it almost 100 years old she still lay in saltwater. I hope someday that these old ships can be placed out of the water and preserved for future generations without spending 50 million dollars every 10 years in renovations.
@@ralf00001 that'd make to much sense don't you know, and the purest would throw fits for days that she was built for sitting in the water, because it supports her weight far better.
But a nice set of cribbing could be constructed to spread her weight evenly I'm sure, and while it would be expensive initially, it would more than pay for itself in maintenance cost alone in no time I would think.
Only thing is then you've got to find a place that works for getting public access, and in a place that's far enough away from the salt air, because that in itself is a highly corrosive atmosphere.
Plus finding that piece of property large enough to hold the ship, the parking space required, the power source capable of maintaining ventilation equipment lighting, a maintenance facility for all trades needed to maintain her inside and out.
The prices of land especially commercial properties has gone plume stupid last year or so.
But logically it makes far more sense to permanently dry dock her, and do everything that's needed for her to support herself permanently, and insure that she doesn't rot away at the supports themselves be absolute necessity.
I would think that it would be possibly even far cheaper in the long haul especially since it's tax exempt government property, and you know that they'll use the old standard of procuring the suitable site from whomever happens to be owner of the property they choose to use for her final resting place.
But as I said, it's the logical thing to do, so probably never happen that way at least not in our lifetime I wouldn't think.
It's a thought though, and maybe someone with the power to persuade the government office that's in control of her finds this as logical a long term solution to save billions of dollars far into the future for the care grand ole ladies care, and preservation.
Hopefully I worded myself properly and correctly here, and if I hurt someone's feelings.
Well nothing I can say different, and still get it accurate as well as factual in my opinion.
It would actually pancake over time. The superstructure would weaken without water pushing in on the hull. She would literally flatten herself
The only opinions I've seen that the ship will collapse or be damaged when out of the water have been made by, or quoted from, people who are not qualified to make them. Structural studies performed on Texas by marine architects and engineers concluded that the ship could be safely displayed out of the water. $50 million in hull structure repairs were made to the ship between 2014-18 to correct framing problems and make sure she was capable of doing that. That doesn't mean that there wouldn't be some settling and small amount of damage. It does mean that there would not be any significant failures. There were a number of dry berthing proposals studied over a 10 year period, starting around 2005 and the most attractive one was priced out at about $100 million. This was unaffordable considering the $50 million that had already been spent. However, $35 million was given for the current hull shell plating repairs that will make her hull tight and good for at least 10 to 15 years before the next dry dock. It also sets the stage for a long term, sustainable hull maintenance plan.
@@tomscotttheolderone364 This is false. The one who made this cla is the ambassador for the USS New Jersey. They would have to cut open the hull on both sides and brace the super structure. You literally saw what the water did to the metal on the sides of the USS Texas. Ships are built to use the water for structural support. If you research how much each level of this ship weighs then it's easy to agree that it could absolutely pancake
9:12 no big deal the torpedo bulges are made from much thinner steel. Now if this was original hull plates then there would be some concern.
I'm thoroughly impressed with paint system on the wetted area of the hull.
I'm impressed with the paint system as well. Thing is the torpedo bulges need to be taken off so the same or better paint system is put on the actual hull. She doesn't need the screws, stabilizers, blisters or even the rudder. Cut cost, and save the hull with the limited resources.
@@jefffrayer8238 they've filled the bulges with spray in foam restoring bouyancy. Also a few tons of foam helps with ballast too. If the bulges had not been there she would be in even worse shape as sand that was packed against her would have scoured the hull plates and rivets.
Wow! I wish the dry berth was a viable option. It would be mighty impressive to visit her fully out of the water and to be able to walk around and underneath.
Thanks Travis for all that you and everyone does to help her. Weekly update would definitely be appreciated as well as live webcams, one above and one below. That way we can see what is going on without taking valuable time from you and others away from Texas. Thanks again.
Aw, she's looking absolutely gorgeous. I'm so glad to see the renovation is underway; I'm finally at the point in my life where I can take the time and money to make the trips out to visit the various museum ships in our country, and I was hoping Battleship Texas would still be around for me to visit. I can wait a bit longer 'til she's ready for visitors once again; I can always visit Patriot's Point and North Carolina and Alabama again while I wait. ;)
So you're saying you're not going to move the rudder?
In seriousness though, even in your exhausted state we can sense your excitement. That excitement is what makes you a good curator, and I look forward to taking a trip down to her new home to see the fruit of that excitement.
Im not too concerned with the rudder there was a reason it wasnt addressed in 1988/89. What I am concerned with is how they are simply going to chop off the blister below the water line and not replace it. Thats not what the Austin discussion was indicating, it was indicating the hull below the water line would be re plated not just simply chopped off and discarded. This is already making the foundation look bad to be moving away from replating to simple removal and discarding.
@@Milner62 If you only have so much money, focus on the actual ship, not a later literal tack-on.
@@boogts, but it's not a tack on. It provides bouyancy to the Texas as well as it's part of the shape of Texas. The rudder has no effect on towing her or when she's sitting at dock to require the monetary expense to make the rudder moveable again.
@@Milner62 research it's inter war history
Maybe they could put a temporary "bubble" around the rudder, constructed so as to not cause a turning effect, when they tow it back to wherever. A big block of styrofoam, sculpted to be hydrodynamic, and covered in urethane or epoxy or something, should hold together at 6 knots towing speed.
I am very happy to see this work being done to her. She is the most beautiful battleship I have ever step foot on. I find it honoring to know that the rudder has not been touched since the last order given. I think it should stay that way. I cannot wait to visit her when the repairs are complete.
Absolutely. A great historical footnote during the tour.
Thank you so very much for this update and for all the hard work you all are doing! I'm so very glad the ship is getting this work done. I visited her the very first time when I was a few months short of 10 years old back in 1966. Looking forward to following her progress with your upcoming updates. Also looking forward to getting to visit her when she is finished and at her new home.
So awesome, loved visiting this behemoth as a kid. Very appreciative to everything the foundation does for this relic. I am so glad she’s getting her well needed restoration!
GREAT video Travis, Thanks go out to everyone who has had anything to do with this process, from donors to volunteers the foundation and everyone in between. She is beyond beautiful 8/31/2022 was a highlight day in my life. I'm beyond excited.
I toured the battleship Texas's when I was in Houston in 1974, it's great to see her again, wonderful !!!
G'day Travis, WOW! OK, now I'm a military historian and I should know better but as I'm an ex-air force type, I had absolutely no idea there was so much mass of the vessel beneath the waterline in these New York Class battleships.
In my little spare time I've even modelled two of the Iowa Class in 1/350 scale and even in that miniaturised version it's impossible to get a feel for the true scale of real capital ships.
You great people who look after WW2 warships are doing a vitally important job; thanks too must go to your respective state governments and the taxpayers of your states.
It is difficult for many people to understand the singular historic value of these magnificent symbols of sacrifice, service and liberty that all old warships represent.
Every old ship, old tank or aircraft that goes to the scrap or breakers' yard is one huge step towards historical ignorance in the far distant future.
Sure enough, millions of digital images, period film, documents and old photographs mean that these assets will always be represented but without the artifacts themselves there is no information system I know of that can show off an Iowa or New York Class battleship the way you just did, Travis; simply by walking around the real thing.
In doing this you are mentally, if not physically, connecting us to all those who fought, died or survived on her.
Thank you so much, Travis.
Cheers, Bill Halliwell Hobart Tasmania
P.S. Just a week or so before the pandemic began in earnest, my wife and I were set to depart on a, maybe, final trip to the UK and the US to see military landmarks that any real military historian should see at least once in their lives. The USS Missouri and the USS Texas were on our 'bucket list' part of our US visit. I wanted to see the, up close, differences between the two classes of warship. (Although nothing can beat your dry dock walkaround and other videos you've made.)
It is still my fervent hope that we can still make that visit, now I know to leave a little time before we embark on that journey. We'll wait till the dear old Texas is back in her home berth.
The hull plating looks much better than I expected! Thanks for the very informative walk-around!
Looking forward to your updates! Proud Heritage; Proud Purpose!
Had to double take at the end when you said that the ship is 110 years old - indeed she is, but WOW she looks good! Thank you for this unprecedented look at a battleship in dry dock. Can’t wait to see more!
I think it would be cool once she
makes it to her new berth after refurb to have some land vehicles displayed near her from the year she was commissioned such as a car, tractor and/or military vehicle. Might give some nice perspective.
What a beautiful old Battleship. Even better when she's in dry dock.
Beautiful Ship, we need to restore all the museum ships the best we can. There’s only so many, we better take care of them.
This ship is the pride of the state, and it’s awesome history. Thank you all for ensuring her transition from Houston to Galveston was priority 1. Can’t wait to see the work in the near future. Keep up the great work!!
Finally!! Been waiting for this video, I assumed you would have one up after pressure washing. Seems like the steel well below the waterline is in really good shape, just need to replace everything at the waterline.
As an old man I thank you and everyone that help save the Texas.
Thanks for the update and all the hard work you guys put in. Amazing job. I use to come down for the hard hat tours. I carried a big camera with a large flash and lots of film. Spent a whole lot of money developing film. I have a very large photo album with almost every compartment photographed arranged in order of the tour.
Thanks for posting. My uncle was stationed on the Texas during WWII. I’m trying to track his service career. He was 22nd Marines and KIA on Enewetak, Engebi, on FEB 18, 1944. Plt Sgt. Charles Richard Kennedy from Boston.
Travis,
First of all, a huge HUGE congratulations to you and all the crew that got this done. It's amazing to see her underside up close like this. And yes, the hull does look really good considering . You are one of the luckiest people in the world to have felt the old girl's deck moving under your feet while she was being towed.
There's no doubt that she is in good hands. I will admit that I was not in favor of moving her from San Jacinto originally. I've changed my mind on that; if that's what we have to do to keep her for the next 100+ years then "Come On, Texas!" Looking forward to seeing more videos.
I was on this ship back in about 1955 with my father, he was a sailor. I remember the guns, they excited me greatly.
Just remember that the New York class battleships were scheduled to be scrapped when the North Carolina class was commissioned but because of world events of the day they were kept in service.
We would love Daily updates! There is a huge community that would love to see MORE of this old girl. She deserves to be seen more and the more her restoration is seen the more people will want to see her in person... Please guys give us more of this beauty and this symbol of pride in the history of naval warfare...
The ship is going to be in drydock for at least a year... there isn't progress to show on a daily basis, and the people involved are all busy with the repair work.