USS Texas (BB-35)

Last Survivor of the Dreadnought Era

Sep 8, 2008 Paul Crozier

The U.S. battleship Texas, a first generation Dreadnought, is the only surviving US warship to have served in both world wars.

USS Texas (BB-35) was commissioned in 1914, the second of the New York class. She was the navy’s first warship to carry 14-inch guns. She mounted ten in five turrets and was hailed as the most powerful "Dreadnought" in the world.

Service off Vera Cruz

While preparing for her shakedown cruise, Texas was ordered into service. She took on coal and joined a squadron making its way to Vera Cruz, Mexico as Woodrow Wilson’s response to the “Tampico Incident.” From there Texas served to preserve U.S. neutrality in the Atlantic even as she edged closer to the war in Europe.

World War I

Following the Untied States entry into the war in 1917, Texas served with the British Grand Fleet under Admiral David Beatty. Her service consisted of convoy missions and assistance to the British blockade squadron on duty in the North Sea.

Following the armistice, Texas she became the first American battleship to launch an airplane. On March 9, 1919 Lt. Comdr. Edward O. McDonnell successfully flew a Sopwith Camel off the warship. Texas would soon carry her own complement of observation aircraft which would remain aboard for the rest of her career.

In 1925, Texas received a major modernization at the Norfolk Navy Yard which would dramatically changer her silhouette and extend her service life. Her two bulky cage masts were replaced with tripod masts, her two stacks were reduced to one, and armored torpedo blisters were added to her hull. To accommodate the blisters, her 5” guns were moved to the main deck. At the same time Texas’ engines were converted from burning coal to fuel oil. She also received the very latest in fire control equipment.

World War II

Stationed with the Atlantic fleet, Texas was spared the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. However, she was soon put into action. Texas’ main batteries provided support during the invasion of North Africa in 1942. She was subsequently modernized with additional anti-aircraft batteries, radar, and communication equipment. She then joined the fleet in support of the D-Day landings on Normandy in 1944.

Later that month, while providing fire support for the advance on Cherbourg, France, Texas suffered her only battle casualties. An 11-inch shell fired from a German battery wrecked the navigation bridge. Helmsman Christian N. Christiansen was killed and 13 others wounded. She was struck once more during the engagement with slight damage and no casualties.

Following repairs, Texas was shifted to the Pacific theater. There she participated in the shore bombardments of both Iwo Jim and Okinawa. She also was credited with downing one kamikaze aircraft and assisting in the destruction of three more. By war’s end, Texas had earned five battle stars.

San Jacinto State Park

Following the cessation of hostilities, Texas became the first memorial battleship when she went on permanent display at San Jacinto State Park in LaPorte, Texas in 1948. Today she is listed on the National Historic Register of Ships, and her two triple-expansion reciprocating engines are designated National Historic Engineering Landmarks.

From 1988-1990 Texas underwent extensive preservation and restoration efforts. Her hull was repaired, her deck replaced and she was outfitted and painted to look as she did in 1945. Today the only remaining example from the Dreadnought era continues to draw large crowds of visitors.

References:

Power, Hugh. Battleship Texas, College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1993.

The copyright of the article USS Texas (BB-35) in Military History is owned by Paul Crozier. Permission to republish USS Texas (BB-35) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

USS Texas in 1921

USS Texas under fire off Cherbourg, France 1944

USS Texas off Iwo Jima 1945