Battleship USS Texas

New York Class Battleship - USS Texas

Commissioned
March 12, 1914

Dimensions 1914
Length 573 ft
Beam 95.25 ft

Dimensions 1945
Length 573 ft
Beam 106 ft

Displacement 1914
27,000 tons

Displacement 1945
30,350 tons

Armament 1914
10 - 14 in guns
21 - 5 in guns
4 torpedo tubes

Armament 1945
10 - 14 in guns
6 - 5 in guns
10 - 3 in AA guns
40 - 40mm AA guns

Armor
Main Belt 10 - 12 in
Decks 1.5 - 4 in
Turrets 4 - 9 in
Bulkheads 9 -11 in

Speed 1914
21 knots
Coal Fired Boiler

Speed 1914
20.5 knots
Oil Fired Boiler

Endurance 1914
3,700 nm @ 20kts

Endurance 1945
6,500 nm @ 18kts

Decommissioned
April 21, 1948

The dreadnought era battleship at anchor in San Jacinto Park, Texas in May 2001.

The 14 inch guns of the forward turret point to the San Jacinto Monument that commemorates Sam Houston's victory in the Texas War for Independence.

Click for larger image

On board is a commemorative plaque marking the founding of the First Marine Division.

From above, the zig zag shape of the top fore deck is clearly visible. Below the wider sections were 5 inch gun casements that proved unusable because of wetness.

By World War II the 5 inch guns were no longer positioned in the casements.

Over the years foremast and bridge underwent several changes. More space for battle structures was made possible by the change from coal to oil fired boilers. This eliminated the need for a 2nd smokestack.

Let Me Do The Talking poster available at The Memories Mall

In 1919 a Sopwith Camel became the first airplane ever launched from a battleship. A simple platform was constructed atop the number 2 gun turret of the Texas.

Later, sea planes are launched by catapult and retrieved by the massive cranes.

Traditional brass instruments and wheel on the bridge directed the ship.

Although most of the crew bunked in cramped quarters. Officers had more spacious living arrangements.

Anti aircraft guns on the stern deck of the USS Texas

After Pearl Harbor anti aircraft guns were placed all over the ship. Some of the placements surround the stern 14 inch gun turrets.

Casements for 5 inch guns were also originally built into the stern. Hinged covers were opened to allow the guns to rotate and fire. Wetness also prevented the use of these guns.

US NAVY recruiting sign available at The Memories Mall

For more details on the Battleship Texas visit the official state website.

The Memories Mall, our commercial site, offers die cast airplanes and other WWII items in our Military History section.

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