WWI Battleship USS Texas Finds Permanent Home in Galveston
Published: 25 July 2025
By Caitlyn Burchett
via the U.S. Naval Institute website
USS Texas
The former USS Texas (BB-35), a U.S. Navy New York-class battleship that served in both WWI and WWII, undergoes repairs at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair in Galveston, Texas, Sept. 18, 2023. US Coast Guard Photo
The deal to permanently moor the historic battleship, the former USS Texas (BB-35), at the Port of Galveston was finalized this week, the ship's non-profit foundation announced.
The announcement secures a plan to berth the World War I-era dreadnought at Pier 15 as a museum ship — a plan that was announced in March by the Texas city's Wharves Board of Trustees following a unanimous vote. The location is nestled between cruise ship terminals and is just a 10-minute walk to Galveston's historic Strand District.
"As restoration work continues across the channel, we look forward to relocating her next year and continuing our mission to create a world-class historic destination. The Battleship Texas — America's last surviving battleship to serve in both World War I and World War II — is a powerful symbol of our nation's history and permanently berthing her to Galveston is a true honor," the Battleship Texas Foundation said.
Since 2020, the foundation has operated the battleship, which is undergoing extensive restoration at a Galveston-area shipyard. A year ago, the battleship foundation told news outlets that the "restoration project involves transforming the ship into a state-of-the-art visitor experience featuring interactive and technology-driven exhibits, augmented reality, holograms, guided tours, and integrations with cell phones. The ship will also be climate-controlled for year-round access."
The work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
In the meantime, Pier 15 is being readied for Texas' arrival. The mooring system must undergo final engineering, the pier needs to be dredged and construction of mooring and shoreside facilities still have to be completed, according to the foundation.
Texas was laid down in 1912 at Newport News Shipbuilding and served in both World War I and World War II. The 113-year-old ship is undergoing a multi-million dollar rebuild of its steel hull at Gulf Copper's shipyard on Pelican Island. The battleship was towed to the facility in 2022.
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