The historic Battleship Texas will soon float once more in the Galveston Channel, marking a significant advancement in its $75 million restoration journey. The Battleship Texas Foundation announced that the 122-year-old dreadnought, the last of its kind to have seen action in both World War I and II, is expected to be back in the water today. The move is strategically planned to coincide with election day, as the nation turns its focus to the polls.
After 18 months at the Gulf Copper shipyard undergoing extensive repairs, the ship is scheduled to be lowered into the ocean beginning at 3:30 a.m., with tugboats navigating the vessel to its destination by 9:30 a.m. The foundation has made it clear they are eager to advance to the next phase, which includes deck replacement and repairing the interior and superstructure. Matt Pham, the vice president of development for the Battleship Texas Foundation, told the Houston Public Media, "It's a huge milestone for the ship to go back into the water from her previous condition to where she is now."
Viewing opportunities for the ship's movement will be limited; however, it may be possible to catch a glimpse from Pier 21 or similar locations. The site where the ship has been under repair is closed to the public. Moreover, the foundation is seeking to keep the restored Battleship Texas in Galveston as a floating museum, near other attractions, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The restoration plan not only aims to restore the battleship to its 1945 condition but also to transform it into a state-of-the-art tourist destination with updated amenities and interactive exhibits. Before dry-docking in Galveston, the ship attracted scores of visitors at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, across from the San Jacinto Monument. Due to financial feasibility, returning to the original berth was not an option. The state of Texas has contributed significantly to the restoration efforts, covering $60 million of the costs, with the foundation endeavoring to raise an additional $15 million. "The progress that we've seen has been incredible," Pham told Houston Public Media. "We couldn't be more happy."
