USS Texas: The Homeless Battleship That Fought in World War I and World War II

Published: 22 January 2025

By Brent M. Eastwood
via the 1945 website

USS Texas Battleship (2)

USS Texas

Key Points and Summary: The USS Texas, a storied battleship that served in both World Wars, is undergoing a $35 million restoration at the Gulf Cooper Shipyard in Galveston, Texas.

-Known for its roles in the North Sea during WWI and at D-Day during WWII, the USS Texas is being outfitted with restored guns, a new camouflage paint scheme, and refurbished steel decks.

-While the restoration nears completion, debates continue over its permanent mooring location in Galveston.

-Despite logistical challenges, the Battleship Texas Foundation is determined to see the ship become a major tourist attraction, showcasing a vital piece of naval history.

USS Texas: The Two-War Battleship Gets a Historic Makeover

If you are a fan of battleships and are in the Galveston, Texas, area, you may see a fully restored USS Texas undergoing a considerable facelift.

This full refurbishment will be completed later this year. The USS Texas was the only battleship to serve in both World War One and World War Two so you can understand why the old dreadnought needs extensive repairs.

USS Texas: Where Is the Battleship Now?

It is currently docked at Gulf Cooper Shipyard in Galveston. The main museum is closed but you can take a “restoration tour” to see progress on the work. You must wear a hard hat and long pants on the 1.5-hour tour and some areas are off-limits.

The Guns Need a Makeover

The big project is restoring the guns. “Most of the 20 mm, 40 mm, 3″, and 5″ guns were removed for restoration.

That work is not complete yet, but all six of the 5″ guns have already been reinstalled, and one 40 mm as well. All the guns that were onboard when Battleship Texas closed in 2019 will be reinstalled after restoration,” the Battleship Texas Foundation explained.

This Is a Texas-sized Job

This foundation wants to keep the vessel in Galveston once the repairs are complete.

Workers have spent nearly 300,000 manhours on the gun project and other restoration efforts.

Remarkably, the battleship’s decks were made of mostly pinewood during active duty. But underneath is a steel deck being reworked with the studs removed and a unique coating placed on the steel.

The new paint job will be a camouflage scheme, making it look fascinating to visitors. Plus, radar antennas will be placed on the ship’s main mast.

Read the entire article on the 1945 website here:

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