The USS Texas (BB-35), today known as “Battleship Texas,” is the world’s last surviving dreadnought battleship and the only U.S. naval ship to serve in both World Wars. Currently, the 112-year-old historic vessel is undergoing a massive multi-million-dollar hull restoration and will be permanently reopening as a museum at Pier 15 at the Gulf Copper Shipyard on Pelican Island in Galveston, Texas.
Once restoration is complete, she will be permanently moored at Pier 15 in Galveston, nestled between cruise ship terminals and a short walk from the historic Strand District.
During July 2026, Guice Offshore mini supply vessel GO Seeker was lucky enough to be docked directly facing Battleship Texas for a firsthand view of the mighty warship (pictured above).
Battleship Texas led a distinguished 34-year career in the United States Navy. In that time, she fought in both World Wars, earned a number of “firsts”, and was home to tens of thousands of sailors and marines from all walks of life. Texas served with the Grand Fleet during the First World War and earned five battle stars during the Second World War. She fought in North Africa, Normandy, Southern France, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, and through it all only lost one crew member to enemy fire. In 1948, Battleship Texas was donated to the State of Texas to serve as a museum and memorial. In the words of her last captain, Charles Baker, “Her wars are over, she has won the right to rest peacefully in Texas waters.”
Founded in 1998 as a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, the Battleship Texas Foundation exists today as an advocate for Battleship Texas, and to help develop the historic ship into a premier hands-on museum and visitor attraction.
On August 1st, 2020, Battleship Texas Foundation began operating Battleship Texas on behalf of the State of Texas. Donations and sponsorships make a direct impact on the success of Battleship Texas programs, including restoration, preservation, tours, and education.
The State of Texas owns Battleship Texas, which had been managed by and budgeted for by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 1983. The Battleship Texas Foundation now manages the ship with oversight from Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Between 1946 and 1948, legislation was passed at the state and federal levels to allow the U.S. Navy to donate Battleship Texas to the State of Texas to be operated as a museum and memorial. This federal program still operates today and is the source of most former Navy vessels that have been donated to serve as museum ships in the U.S.
The Texas Legislature has funded $60 million of a projected $75 million restoration project for Battleship Texas. On August 31st, 2022, Battleship Texas arrived at Gulf Copper and was raised out of the water for repairs. Gulf Copper has repaired and replaced hull plating below the waterline, totally about 700 tons of steel. The ship’s torpedo blisters (sacrificial exterior tanks added in 1925-1926 to protect the ship from torpedoes) have been entirely cut away below the waterline and reconstructed. The new torpedo blisters are of a slightly different design to reduce future maintenance needs and will be coated inside and out to protect from corrosion.
- To watch weekly video updates with up-close tours of the ship’s interior and the ongoing restoration, click HERE.
After the hull repairs and torpedo blister rebuild were completed, Gulf Copper applied marine grade paint coatings to the hull. The ship is being painted to the historical Measure 21 camouflage scheme, which she wore in the Pacific Theater in 1945. This will mean Navy Blue 5-N on all vertical surfaces and Deck Blue 20-B on all horizontal surfaces.
On March 5th, 2024, Battleship Texas left dry dock and moved to another pier at Gulf Copper for pierside work. This phase of the project includes various repairs to the ship’s superstructure funded in part by the Save America’s Treasures grant (the superstructure is the structures above main deck, such as the masts, smoke stack, and aft fire control tower), replacing some or all of the ship’s wood decking, and cleaning up, restoration, repainting, and installing exhibits in interior spaces. This work will prepare the ship to receive visitors again and we estimate this will take at least a year to eighteen months after Battleship Texas leaves dry dock.
Watch the Fourth of July #America250 “Sparks and Stripes” (drone and fireworks) show held above the ship (below):
