USS Texas

USS Texas is a historic New York Navy Yard-built battleship that served in both World War I and World War II, earning a total of five Battle Stars for her service. She was the first United States Navy battleship to become a permanent museum ship, and is now docked near the San Jacinto Monument in Texas. The ship was named after the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo, and was sponsored by Ruth Bryan Owen, the daughter of William Jennings Bryan. She was commissioned on March 12, 1914, under the command of Captain Albert W. Grant, and was the most advanced warship in the world at the time, featuring a main battery of ten 14-inch guns.

● History

The USS Texas was authorized on August 22, 1911, as part of the United States naval appropriations for the 1912 fiscal year, and her keel was laid on April 17, 1911, at the New York Navy Yard. She was launched on May 18, 1912, and was sponsored by Ruth Bryan Owen, who was the daughter of William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Secretary of State. The ship was commissioned on March 12, 1914, under the command of Captain Albert W. Grant, and was the most advanced warship in the world at the time, featuring a main battery of ten 14-inch guns. She was one of the first battleships to be equipped with anti-aircraft guns, and was also one of the first to be fitted with catapults for launching seaplanes. The ship's early career was marked by her participation in the Veracruz Expedition in 1914, where she supported the United States Marine Corps during the Occupation of Veracruz, and later served as a flagship for the United States Atlantic Fleet under the command of Admiral Henry T. Mayo.

● Characteristics

The USS Texas was a New York-class battleship, and was the second ship of the class to be built, after the USS New York (BB-34). She was 573 feet (175 meters) long, and had a beam of 95 feet (29 meters), with a draft of 29 feet (8.8 meters). The ship was powered by Babcock & Wilcox boilers, which produced 28,100 horsepower, and was capable of reaching speeds of up to 21 knots (39 kilometers per hour). She was equipped with a main battery of ten 14-inch guns, which were mounted in five twin turrets, and also had a secondary battery of twenty-one 5-inch guns. The ship was also equipped with torpedo tubes, and was capable of carrying up to 100 mines. The ship's armor was designed to protect her against naval gunfire, and consisted of a belt armor that was up to 12 inches (305 millimeters) thick, as well as deck armor that was up to 3 inches (76 millimeters) thick. The ship was also equipped with anti-torpedo bulges, which were designed to protect her against torpedo attacks.

● Service

The USS Texas served in both World War I and World War II, and earned a total of five Battle Stars for her service. During World War I, she served as a flagship for the United States Atlantic Fleet under the command of Admiral Henry T. Mayo, and participated in the Battle of the North Sea, where she supported the British Royal Navy during the Battle of Jutland. After the war, she underwent a major refit at the New York Navy Yard, where she was equipped with new boilers and turbines, as well as additional anti-aircraft guns. During World War II, she served as a training ship for the United States Navy, and later participated in the Allied invasion of North Africa, where she supported the United States Army during the Battle of El Guettar. She also participated in the Allied invasion of Normandy, where she supported the United States Army during the Battle of Omaha Beach, and later participated in the Battle of Cherbourg, where she supported the United States Army during the Siege of Cherbourg.

● Battles

The USS Texas participated in several battles during her career, including the Battle of the North Sea during World War I, where she supported the British Royal Navy during the Battle of Jutland. She also participated in the Allied invasion of North Africa during World War II, where she supported the United States Army during the Battle of El Guettar. Additionally, she participated in the Allied invasion of Normandy, where she supported the United States Army during the Battle of Omaha Beach, and later participated in the Battle of Cherbourg, where she supported the United States Army during the Siege of Cherbourg. The ship also participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima, where she supported the United States Marine Corps during the Battle of Iwo Jima, and later participated in the Battle of Okinawa, where she supported the United States Army during the Battle of Okinawa. The ship was commanded by several notable officers during her career, including Captain Albert W. Grant, Captain Henry T. Mayo, and Captain Charles A. Lockwood.

● Preservation

The USS Texas was decommissioned on April 21, 1948, and was initially slated to be scrapped, but was saved by a group of Texas veterans who formed the USS Texas Commission to preserve the ship as a museum ship. The ship was donated to the state of Texas on April 21, 1948, and was towed to the San Jacinto Monument in Texas, where she was permanently moored. The ship was opened to the public as a museum ship on April 21, 1948, and has since become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas, with over 100,000 visitors per year. The ship is maintained by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and is also supported by the USS Texas Foundation, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the ship and promoting her history.

● Legacy

The USS Texas has a lasting legacy as one of the most historic battleships in the United States Navy, and has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including the film Battleship (2012 film), which features the ship as a main character. The ship has also been recognized for her historic significance, and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. The ship's legacy is also commemorated by the USS Texas Memorial, which is located near the San Jacinto Monument in Texas, and features a memorial to the ship and her crew. The ship's history is also preserved by the USS Texas Museum, which is located on board the ship, and features exhibits on the ship's history, as well as artifacts and memorabilia from her service. The ship's legacy continues to be celebrated by the United States Navy, and she remains one of the most iconic and historic warships in the world, alongside other notable ships such as the USS Constitution, USS Missouri (BB-63), and HMS Victory. Category:United States Navy ships