The battleship USS Texas (BB-35) has been around for over one hundred years. The mighty warship is one of the oldest military vehicles of her type still inexistence. She is old enough that she was laid down one month before the famous RMS Titanic launched. Texas served proudly in both the First and Second World Wars where she saw combat across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The old battleship participated in the D-Day invasion and later the bloody battle of Iwo Jima. She survived coastal artillery and Kamikaze attacks. Despite all of that, Texas finds herself in her most dangerous battle yet against her most deadly foe.
A simple internet search of the battleship USS Texas will reveal a host of news stories. A few are positive, reveling in the ship’s majestic history or praising the efforts of those who take care of her. However, a large number focus solely on the ship’s condition. A sprung leak here, four degrees of list there, or a increase in the ship’s draft. When something goes wrong, the media pays close attention. Is the battleship Texas sinking like they are leading everyone to believe?
A German artillery shell hits the water just short of the USS Texas during the bombardment of Cherbourg, France in 1944.
Is the ship in Danger?
Texas did not fall to German artillery or Japanese Kamikaze attacks. Its up to the people to ensure that she does not fail now.
The media is right in that the battleship is in trouble. However, she can still be saved as long as effort is put in to save her right now.
It is true that the ship does spring leaks (Texas takes on up to 700 tons of water per day on average), she is in no danger of sinking at the moment. A battery of pumps ensures that she can withstand all but the worst leak. The many people who take care of the battleship have been very diligent in their work to shore up any leaks or other areas of weakness.
Why so many Leaks?
Contrary to popular belief, Texas isn’t springing leaks due to negligence of her staff or a lack of care. The leaks are due to the oldest and greats enemy that ships deal with, water. Given time, water will eventually break down just about anything. The moment a ship enters the water, it is under attack. This is especially true for ships built from steel and iron, materials that are particularly vulnerable to water.
With over 100 years of being exposed to water, it has taken its toll on Texas. However, the people that care for her have not been idle. Since the 1980s, over 70 million dollars have been invested into repairing the ship.
The real danger comes from the fact that repair work on the hull is under assault from water. As soon as a repair is made, the same spot is under attack once again.
To make matters worse, the number of leaks increase every day. It might be a single leak one day, but on the second it could be two, then four, so on and so forth. Repairs can be made now, but eventually the damage to the ship will be too great to keep up with.
The USS Texas is much like a can that has been kicked down the road. However, the road has now led to a cliff. This is the last opportunity. If the can is kicked once again then it that’s it, there will not be another chance to save the ship.
What Needs to Be Done?
To ensure that Texas is always protected, she most be removed from the water. This can be accomplished by dry berthing the ship. By putting the ship into a permanent dry berth, Texas can be preserved for the next hundred years.
The Battleship USS Texas passing through the Gutan Locks on the Panama Canal in 1937. Texas sailed around the world during her long and illustrious career.
Dry berthing a ship is no easy process. Ships must be structurally sound enough to be able to hold up their immense weight when set on solid ground. Luckily, the millions of dollars poured into the USS Texas has also been used to make her structurally strong. As it stands right now, the battleship can be safely placed into dry berth.
The main issue is that the ship has to be removed from the water. If its not, then all of the structural work will be eventually undone as water once again erodes the hull.
What Can You Do?
The Battleship Texas can be preserved, but it will require a few things to make that happen.
First and foremost, people need to get involved. The more people that support the USS Texas, the easier and faster the work will be to save her. The easiest way to support the Texas would be to head over to the Come and Save it Website.
>> SIGN THE PETITION HERE<<<
The more signatures gathered, the more leverage people hold over state representatives. Enough signatures can go a long way in convincing the state of Texas to release money to support the mighty battleship that shares its name.
The second way people can support the battleship is through donations. The Texas recently received a donation of almost $200,000.00. While people might assume that they need to be rich to make a donation like that, the truth of the matter is that small gifts of a few dollars make up the overwhelming bulk of donations that the Texas receives. The battleship receives a dollar from 200,000 people much more often than it receives the same amount from a single person. Every penny spared can help the ship be preserved to be enjoyed by future generations.
Regardless of the level of help you can provide, the simple act of helping goes a long way. Every new supporter is equal to a repaired seam, a piece of embankment, or a block to support the hull of Texas. Together, the ship can and will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
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