U.S. Navy Battleship USS Texas Is Now 'Homeless'

The Problem: The USS Texas (BB-35), the only surviving battleship to have served in both World Wars, remains without a permanent home despite undergoing extensive restoration in Galveston, Texas. While plans initially aimed to berth the historic warship at Seawolf Park alongside other naval vessels, cost concerns due to necessary dredging halted the effort.

No Clear Solution Right Now: A new plan to moor the Texas on Galveston’s waterfront also faces opposition from local businesses over potential impacts to harbor views. As a result, the future location of this iconic battleship, which played pivotal roles in both World Wars, remains uncertain.

USS Texas: Only Battleship to See Service in Both World Wars is Homeless

One of the most significant warships in United States naval history is essentially homeless, despite the millions of dollars that have been invested to preserve the vessel. If ever there was a time to question the priorities of Americans, it would be now. The Houston Chronicle reported this week that plans for the Battleship Texas to be permanently berthed at the Port of Galveston "has run aground."

The former USS Texas (BB-35), the only surviving battleship to have served in both World Wars, has been undergoing restoration at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair in Galveston for the past two years. During that time, more than 700 tons of steel was replaced while the ship's anti-aircraft guns were refurbished. Since 2022, nearly 300,000 man-hours have already gone into the battleship's restoration efforts.

The warship had only returned to the water in January and in August, the historic warship had been moved to Pier A for the next restoration phase. Plans were going full-steam ahead on the repairs, but it may not be smooth sailing going forward.

Finding a Permanent Home for the Battleship USS Texas 

The significance of USS Texas can't be overstated. As noted, she had seen service in both World Wars, was present during the D-Day landings in Normandy, and took part in combat operations in the Pacific. In addition, the warship had served as a test bed for the U.S. Navy during the interwar period.

In any other country, cities would pull out all the stops to court the Battlefield Texas Foundation, but apparently even in the Lone Star State, USS Texas isn't getting the love she so rightfully deserves.

One plan had called for bringing BB-35 to Seawolf Park, which would seem the ideal location. It is home to the Galveston Naval Museum, as well as the Gato-class submarine USS Cavalla (SS-244), which had the distinction of sinking the Japanese aircraft carrier Shkaku during World War II, and the Edsall-class destroyer escort USS Stewart (DE-238). In addition, Seawolf Park maintains the remains of the World War I tanker SS Selma – one of the twelve experimental concrete ships constructed.

Unfortunately, it has come down to money. The foundation deemed the move simply too expensive, as it would have required dredging the channel.

Instead, another plan moved forward that would see the ship moored at Galveston waterfront – but that has been met with opposition from local businesses, which expressed concerns it will impact the view of the harbor.

Chron.com reported that Jim Yarbrough, the museum's trustee, made the motion to terminate the contract after the port offered a ten-year lease to be located at Pier 19 on the waterfront, instead of the more desirable Pier 21.

"We argued over locations and other things, but we're united in full consensus on we want the battleship in Galveston," Yarbrough told the paper. "Having said that, it's clear two months ago the board proved a series of points that we weren't flexible on. It's obvious the two sides can't agree on the fundamentals of the agreement."

For now, the warship will remain at Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair as the restoration continues. But where visitors will eventually be able to visit the Battleship Texas could be anyone's guess.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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