World of Pots: Battleship TEXAS BB-35

Have you seen the only surviving battleship that served in both World Wars?

I had the opportunity to go on board this battleship in 2010 when I visited the US. It is the Battleship TEXAS now at San Jacinto in Texas. It is also the nation's first permanent memorial battleship and designated a National Historic Engineering Landmark.

The Battleship TEXAS

Battleship TEXAS is the last of the world's 'dreadnoughts', the big-gun battleships designed and built at the beginning of the 20th century. When she was commissioned in 1914, TEXAS was the most powerful weapon on earth and the most complex product of an industrial nation that was becoming a force in global events. It is the world's only surviving battleship that served in both the World Wars.

TEXAS served in World War I as part of the Battleship Force of the Atlantic Fleet. It participated with the American squadron in manoeuvres in the North Sea against threats from.. the German High Seas Fleet. Although TEXAS did not involve in combat action in World War I, it sailed with the Grand Fleet in November 11, 1918 escorting the German Fleet to Scotland for surrender.

Testing the gun

My Family in front of the ship

In 1925, TEXAS underwent major modifications with new boilers, stronger tripod masts and torpedo blisters for protection against torpedo attack. It emerged from the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1927 as the flagship of the American Fleet. For the next 12 years it streamed the Atlantic and Pacific, representing American Naval Power.

During World War II, TEXAS was an ageing ship, but she remained up-to-date with the addition of radar, fire-control and communication equipment, and new anti-aircraft batteries between 1941 and 1945. The Battleship participated in the invasions of North Africa (November 1942), Normandy (June 1944) and Southern France (August 1944).

During the attack on the port of Cherbourg in France, TEXAS was truck twice by large-calibre enemy's defence guns, the only known casualties in action during the ship's long service. In late 1944, TEXAS provided support for the landing at Iwo Jima and the invasion of Okinawa where for six weeks it bombarded the coast and fired over 2000 rounds of 14-inch ammunition. When it withdrew from Okinawa, it was untouched by the attacks from enemy guns and swarms of suicide planes.

Barber's cabin

At the end of the war, TEXAS carried many prisoners of war from the Philippines to Pearl Harbour, and made three voyages form from Pearl Harbour to California, bringing nearly 5000 troops home from the Pacific.

After her service, Battleship TEXAS was retired to Hawkins Point, Baltimore. The ship was scheduled to be used as a bombing target, but Texas citizens launched a successful statewide fund drive to save her. The US Navy then towed her to Texas to become the nation's first permanent memorial battleship, and she was officially transferred to the state in ceremonies at San Jacinto Battleground on April 21, 1948.