Battleship Texas - Talkin' Dock

It's been a busy month here on the dock! In this video Travis gives a general overview of the work that has been going on with Battleship Texas.
For more information on Battleship Texas please visit our website at: battleshiptexas.org
Facebook: @BattleshipTexasFoundation
Instagram: @Battleshiptexasfoundation
Twitter: @Battleship_Tx
TikTok: @battleshiptexas

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

Some of those frames have all but disintegrated , it shows how much time , dedication , money and hard work is needed to preserve a ship of this age and size .

[@jeremyb5740]

Yupp and one day were going to hear her fire in anger again. KIDDING! It's going to be awesome to preserve it....but if I had the money I would say, "Let's blow millions to get the engines running and fire the big guns". I think she was 14" top of my head...can't remember.

[@texasblueboy1508]

There was a book that had the Battleship Texas being refitted with modern and some future weapons defending Texas as America went roge. I think Texas left and became the Republic of Texas again. It was a good book. Wish I could remember the name of it.

[@andreasmuller4666]

@@texasblueboy1508 SOmething similar happened in some books from John Ringo, they didn´t just refit Texas though, all the Iowas and the Des Moines and Salem got upgraded too with modern and scifi systems too. They are both part of the Posleen War series.

[@Diverball1]

It's an argument that she should have been permanently drydocked a long time ago.

[@kevincourtney7312]

@@Diverball1 Costs money, gotta find that first.

[@freggo6604]

1:28 Remember, if you are sitting under 26,000 tons of Battleship. Always wear your safety helmet in case the ship settles 🙂

[@CS-zn6pp]

And your safety boots too.

[@timwrobel5603]

All of it's for naught if you're not wearing safety glasses.

[@thecommenter9678]

Fun fact, his helmet is actually made of several layers of PT belts, so he is perfectly save in case the ship slips off the mountings.

[@hammyh1165]

😂😂

[@michaelsublet3283]

It makes it easier to scoop your goo up later.

[@williamclayton3512]

I love the old girl,keep the updates coming,she deserves this remodel

[@nightrider6769]

I'd say if she needed this repair for a very long time it's great that you guys are spending the money to get her fixed and I love seeing the work that is being done would be nice if you made more videos and longer videos on the work that is being done it would be really neat but I enjoy anything that you send out.

[@randbarrett8706]

The state legislature felt like it had to spend a minimal amount to avoid the ship sinking at it’s berth.

[@nogoodnameleft]

​@@randbarrett8706 ​I read that since 2008 or so the state of TX has spent $70 million on Texas just keeping her barely afloat and getting to the point of able to be drydocked. $35 million more for drydock repairs. Texas is lucky she is owned by the state of Texas. I don't see any private company or individual who would be willing to do this. I wish the govt would be upfront about how much has been spent on her. They always act like they don't spend anything on her.

[@jahintx]

Thanks for the updates. I appreciate being able to see the work as it is progressing. Can't wait to see what she looks like when all the work is finished!

[@CSXGirl822]

I used to work in preservation (railroad specifically so a much, MUCH smaller scale than Texas!) and seeing Travis' enthusiasm and passion for Texas is a breath of fresh air. I understand that everybody shows their appreciation for these beasts (whether from land, sea or air) in different ways, but seeing someone get so excited and show such obvious care and affection to tell us exactly WHY this piece of history matters is simply wonderful. Travis and everybody else working on this effort to preserve Mighty T, thank you for all that you do and keep up the great work. Come On Texas!!!

[@BattleshipTexas]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@kevincourtney7312]

Illinois Railroad Museum, Union Il. is a huge and wonderful place to see a LOT of railroad history and they restore them and run them.

[@eherrmann01]

While I sometimes miss working in the shipyard, I don't envy you guys and the work that you're doing. It's hard, dirty work and I tip my hat to the the men and women that are preserving this fine ship. Thanks for the update!

[@billberry3699]

I think the same thing watch them,spent a few years at gulf copper most of that work is unglamorous. Washing 100' of weld out is good times on a rust bucket

[@robertf3479]

I will admit to expecting some badly rotted out steel would be found, but holy cats! It does appear that this was expected. I hope you guys don't find a lot of unpleasant surprises as you get further into the tanks and bottom. Got to admit that using the same idea that I use with my R/C models to protect them from sinking to protect the real thing was extremely smart. I LOVE expanding foam for that reason. I'm glad you were able to reach up and touch the keel of the Lady. Not everyone who serves aboard ship gets that opportunity, I was able to with both of my old girlfriends although they weren't true keel structures, the ships being built from modules. Texas is OLD SCHOOL and it appears to have served her well for well over a century.

[@donb7113]

Even on a classic car repair you have to remove parts of the car that are rusted beyond repair, and if you want it done right, it has to go. Thanks for these updates.

[@sparkplug1018]

Man I knew the corrosion was advanced, but seeing just how much structure is missing/damaged or compromised is so concerning. Happy to see it finally being repaired.

[@QurikyBark32919]

This is the coolest stuff man. Who else can say they’ve been under their battleship?

[@harborwatch9147]

Thanks for all the fun info for us ship geeks :)

[@phillanassa759]

Amazing. I'm glad there are other folks out there as passionate about old ships, especially carrier and Battleship preservation for future generations to experience Texas as living history, a tangible, poignant, respectful link to all the men who served aboard her, during both peace and war. That the Battleship Texas Foundation is supported to like-minded politicians and public alike, willing to invest in this massive undertaking; alone, plain folks working together on her, in most cases unpaid, gives me hope for this planet's future, and all the generous folks that live together with us. As a former sailor, who served as an AM aboard USS Nimitz CVN-68 from 1985 to 1991, I would honestly and happily donate 100% of my time and available resources in helping these fine folks perform a stellar job placing USS Texas BB-35 into an advanced state of preservation. They are also bringing the ship closer to 'Bristol' condition considering her age and long hard life. I wish I didn't live 1/2 a continent away from her, or I'd be there this beautiful day lending a hand. She's important. She is the last New-York class Dreadnaught on the planet. As such, she represents the pinnacle of Naval engineering at her time of completion, which is by now well over 100 years ago. May her journey into history be one of fair winds and following seas.

[@Amias89]

Please post more updates, this is absolutely fascinating.

[@johndougan6129]

Navy: Blisters good. 😊 Army: Blisters bad. 😢

[@paoloviti6156]

Please accept my congratulations for such a hard and massive work you are doing on this wonderful battleship! I'm really impressed as it really shows how important to repair and restore this ship! Greetings from Italy 🇮🇹 👋👋

[@candle86]

so behind the removed blister skin, thats the OG hull right? Because thats so cool

[@chrismaverick9828]

Thank you for the update. I was curious about the extent of the blister rebuild and you've answered that wonderfully.

[@richardgreen1383]

Thank you for the update. Also for answering the question about the anti-torpedo blisters, I was wondering, since she's not likely to face any torpedos as a museum ship, why not just take them off completely. It would increase her draft by 3 feet, but surely when fully loaded during WWII she sat lower than that in the water. Of course she has had them for the majority of her existence.

[@Moltenbramley]

A few of us have asked the same question a couple of times now, I still haven’t seen a satisfactory answer.

[@BattleshipTexas]

Without the blisters we would not be able to get out of the dry dock. The ship needs them.

[@zoopercoolguy]

Sitting three feet lower in the water increases the likelihood she'll end up resting on the bottom and more deeply than with the blisters.

[@Moltenbramley]

@@BattleshipTexas Thanks for the response!

[@nicholasmaude6906]

What the USS Texas really needs is a multi-year, multi-hundred million dollar restoration in a proper shipyard, basically a strip down and rebuild..

[@viperexpress305]

Would be something to see if the USS Texas & the Japanese battle ship Mikasa side by side ! Both still floating today !!! 🤔👍🍺

[@ImpendingJoker]

Another thing about the blisters is that they add stability as well. Which depending on where they move her, they very well may need if she gets hit by a hurricane.

[@moefuggerr2970]

That is a wreck. All those pits are thin areas in the metal. I do not believe it would survive being put on land. It would sag.

[@TexasKid747]

Love to see what so many never had the chance to see, even serving on Her. Quite the piece of history and well worth the efforts! Thanks for keeping us up to date and letting us see history preserved! Cheers from North Texas.

[@cnknguyen]

Are yall going to get some more updates out? Its been months. Its only fair to the supporters to see the progress of what we're supporting.

[@samthemultimediaman]

the flat bottom on the new blister tank design is a little concerning, its going to concentrate a lot of weight on that flat area pushing upwards on the older sections of the tanks that aren't being replaced.. even though its hard to access encase of leaking the bottom of the tank should at least have a angle section on it to keep the weight pushing in on the hull vs directly up.

[@Masada1911]

Looks so comfy and private under the ship. Like a little hideaway.

[@jth877]

Great work and update. So by the math, you state that the blisters added 3ft of buoyancy to the waterline. I'm guessing that enough equipment was added in 1926 to necessitate adding them. So, in 2022 they will be rebuilt but smaller. Seems like they won't exactly add the same buoyancy as the originals did. Not that the original blisters were adding anything for the last 40 years anyway since they were flooded.

[@BattleshipTexas]

From ‘48 to ‘89 they were flooded. From ‘89 to now they were either dry or water being keep at low levels with pumps. That’s right -equipment and armor were added in ‘26. Roughly, 2,600 tons worth. I misspoke in the video, the blisters add about 2,500 tons of buoyancy which is roughly 2.5’ in reduced draft (her immersion scale is roughly 1’ midship draft for every 1000 tons). We will clarify that in future videos. The last calc that was done showed us increasing roughly 6” in draft with the new, truncated, lower blisters sections.

[@jth877]

@@BattleshipTexas Thanks for taking the time to reply! The engineer in me always has a lot of questions. Very very very cool information!

[@danielhacker6147]

Keep up the good work Travis and team.

[@michaelphillips8238]

Thanks for the update - appreciate all the great work you have done and continue to do. I definitely have to start planning a trip to visit her once she's out of drydock.

[@henrymuenich6296]

Thank you for the update, take are of her!

[@gretathunderer5596]

The proposed blister design looks far cheaper to manufacture than replicating the original. Besides cost, are there any other reasons for the proposed shape, and what are they?

[@BattleshipTexas]

It eliminates the acute angles and tight spaces where the lower part of the blister terminates into the hull. It was near impossible to remove water from those areas because it is so tight. Also debris (rust chunks) accumulated there, further negatively impacting preservation.

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

l have a different opinion...........It might just be time for PERMANENT "dry dock." ETR-2, USN, 68-74, NAS Miramar 70-74

[@nomore9203]

2 months without an update video. You are going to lose support without showing more videos.

[@chrisb9960]

I was thinking the same thing. I previously posted that I thought they should get a camera team in to professionally document the repairs because they could get revenue from it. I’m guessing that the damage is worse than they thought and are still assessing the damage to such an old vessel. After all she is the first of her kind and they have had to learn some hard lessons along they way. Lessons that were caused long before the current team took over the responsibility of the Texas.

[@chrisb9960]

I appreciate the fact that Battleship Texas is the trail blazer of long term ship preservation. It must be difficult to be the ones who have to learn by being the first.

[@BattleshipTexas]

It’s challenging and rewarding. We see a bright future for the ship and have the drive to make it happen. We talk a lot to our colleagues throughout the museumship community to share what bad and good was done to the ship before us. The thing is aside from a few decisions, every entity that has worked with this ship has made decisions they felt were best with the resources they had.

[@Mrmartins345]

Travis thanks for the update. That last part pushing the rudder is comedy gold. Oh are you straighting the rudder!! 🤔 Just kidding

[@barrymccockiner6641]

But wouldn't he have to push the opposite direction?

[@Mrmartins345]

@@barrymccockiner6641 left or right doesn't matter? It was the way trains kind of put the face ache book question to bed.. Nope not straightening the rudder amen

[@blueboats7530]

Don't sell it short, it's technically a Super Dreadnaught

[@jeffjacobs9201]

Its just plain fantastic. For so many reasons. Please keep em coming!

[@finscreenname]

I still dont understand the rudder thing. It was left stuck in the mud that way. Nothing special, no great last order, no historic significance. Just a helmsman or commander not returning the rudder to center like it should be when anchored (mothballed).

[@THINKincessantly]

🇨🇱 💥 I finally saw what a dry berth for a museum ship looks like--SS Nomadic of the Famed White Star Line of our brothers in the 🇬🇧UK ---is this whats in store for The “Ol T” ??

[@MrBobcone]

Darn, the blisters are back...but for 3 ft of draft...okay, good call. She looks wonderful ! Keep up the good work GCC!

[@Maverick0420]

Is there any evidence of the torpedo tube on the hull still?

[@BattleshipTexas]

We may or may not have found that yesterday 🤫

[@samstewart4807]

I am really SHOCKED you dont have a volunteer video dept. cranking out weekly updates. That you are not making ANY EFFORT to keep the public involved, In this day and age I think this is very negligent.

[@bret9741]

Where has the Texas preservation been during this historic restoration? Why haven’t you all been taking advantage of the restoration to make daily videos and updates. This is a one in three generation opportunity to do an amazing job documenting and educating the public about your ship?!!!!!!!!!

[@M1Tommy]

I saw that rudder move!...KIDDING !!! Great videos ... thank you for these !

[@outlawflyer7868]

There you go folks. PURE REVIEW!!! Not some smuck making shit up so he or she can get better ratings. Can't wait to see her finished. What I want to know is what's happening over where she was docked. Is that gonna be changed to were she will be dry docked permanently or back to floating again but maybe have a damn put behind her.

[@jakerocinante1133]

I’m happy to see her getting fixed up like she needs. But my big concern is where is her new home gonna be? Going by another famous ship in Texas the USS Lexington, USS Texas needs to be move to a heavily visited or tourist area. The Lexington is rite next to the Texas State Aquarium, several hotels, restaurants, shops and a beach in Corpus Christi. This leads to a lot more foot traffic for the Lady Lex. Honestly I’d like USS Texas to find a berth in Galveston because it’s not that far from the drydock and it’s a tourist town, but I don’t know if that’s possible.

[@AJeepADroneAndAnOldMan]

Great update, Travis. Keep some of that foam and sell it to us. I’ll buy some. I’ll give you $50 for 6 inch cube

[@crp5591]

Haha! Looks like this BB Curator has been taking dorkiness lessons from another favorite BB curator! Or maybe just part of having your very own BB! 😊

[@lnchgj]

I've done and participated is a few restorations in my day, mostly aircraft and military vehicles, both for static display and operation. Not having that rudder straight would bug me to no end. Try a 1,000 gallons of Kroil. 🙂

[@pelonehedd7631]

I enjoyed this video. Its sad how old ships deteriorate and those parts that have made History Like the Crews are lost. Seeing these spaces gives us some idea of the problems encountered by rescue crews after Pear Harbor. My Mom is 95 and Remembers going on the Arizona when It was at San Francisco ( She told Me she thought it was the Arizona) and looking down through a large opening and seeing Hamburgers being cooked.

[@brentsmith5647]

Brilliant video thank u ♥️👀👀👀👀👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@sabrekai8706]

Cement in boats. Used to be a fad for building ferro-cement boats. Not a great idea. I had a 30 foot sloop, the previous owner decided she was too tender and filled the bilge with cement. Ate the lower 10 inches of ever single rib, 22 pairs of em. Also ate into the keel for a depth of 3 inches. Oak, disolved into masses of loose fibers. The planking (cedar) was in perfect condition. Go figure.

[@burroaks7]

good thing the truncated parts of the blisters won't be visible............

[@MYOB990]

This ship should not go back in the water. Construct a land based display venue.

[@risby1930]

The Texas needs to be in the water or it will eventually pancake under its' own weight. There really isn't a good substitute for the support of sea. Unfortunately, steel ships mainly corrode from the inside out, just like a water heater. I have seen this many times over the years. Texas is just a hell of a lot bigger, then the boats I have worked on.

[@tomscotttheolderone364]

According to marine engineers who thoroughly analyzed the ship's structure, not a KZbin "expert", the ship will not "pancake" under her own weight if out of the water. Plans were created about 15 years ago to dry berth Texas like you suggested, but it didn't happen due to the extreme cost of $100 million that would have been required for the project. That number does not include $50 million that was spent between 2014-18 to repair and reinforce her hull structure to prevent hull collapse either in or out of the water.

[@18robsmith]

First step of any restoration - Take it to bits to see what can be kept. Next step - PANIC! Third step - Put it together again, properly this time. I guess you are just at the start of step one, so no need to panic yet.

[@RicoOCHO85]

"Under 26000 tons of dreadnought"...ONLY 26000 tons

[@michaelwood8071]

Great video. You are doing an awesome job. I was watching a video on Texas and they said during the Omaha beach bombardment they flooded part of the ship to get gun elevation? Then I read they flooded the offside torpedo blister. Another article said these torpedo blisters are normally flooded. Which is it? Thanks!

[@Thor_Asgard_]

At this point i believe that Texas would need atleast a 100mil to be halfway well fixes.... crazy.

[@resolute123]

For all the fans of World of Warships, you'd figure more of that community be interested in Texas' restoration.

[@benerval7]

I got my first ever look at the Texas on 24 October when I boarded the Carnival Breeze. even in dry dock, she is still a nice looking piece of history.

[@texan-american200]

5:48 😳🤯😄😅😆😂🤣 Oh well... At least you tried. 😬

[@Hal09i]

Well I don't get it...why was this concrete foam used in the first place?. It now has to be removed and all this cleaning/repair work done because of the corrosion it caused? why wasn't this a known issue? I understand the hull needed other repairs, etc. but don't understand this foam deal.

[@axoltheotl2198]

We should honestly use the Texas as the first space dreadnought, like in the show Space Battleship Yamato Give it a planet-busting super weapon while we're at it for the lols

[@joebeach7759]

You're braver than I am. No way I would play around under the ship like that.

[@Salty_Balls]

Spectacular update. Please keep them coming.

[@irondiver2034]

Dreadnought, I like that more than battleship. Leave the blisters, the tumblehome design is unique.

[@thebillbaker4793]

Hello my friend thank you for the update and it’s a wonderful ship. Stay Thirsty my friend

[@robertibert9269]

Thanks for the update Travis. Its a real blessing team is taking such great care of Texas.

[@Phoenix-ej2sh]

I'm a little sad that you're changing the shape of that beautiful hull form by truncating the blisters, but I trust your judgement. You do what you gotta do to keep that old girl around.

[@johnthomas2485]

How thick was the belly of the hull? That didn't look over 1". Is that how thick it was originally, or is it due to deterioration?

[@memadmax69]

Sooooo.... When are you guys straightening the rudder? =P lol j/k

[@GizStudPrez]

Way better, and nice to see the mic tucked into your shirt.....properly.

[@chloekaftan]

They better preserve the shape of those torpedo blisters/bilges or im gonna be upset. I dont want a boxy hull on my curvateous ship.

[@55SportCoupe]

Will we get a video showing all the points of discovered inner hull damage uncovered with the blister tank removal?

[@candidmoe8741]

I don't see more than an inch of armor. How is armor measured? There is really a 12" thick metal plate at the belt?

[@jerrymccrae7202]

The Texas in drydock...it's permanent home!

[@amandagiannini3503]

I think perhaps are approach to maintenance and upkeep of these ships might need to be in review. These are living breathing ships and not going to sea would be like some one sitting on a couch all day.im not saying to send the ship hundreds of miles out to sea but let's use them

[@thomasrudd5144]

This proud piece of American history needs your help, send them a few bucks

[@USS_Grey_Ghost]

I wonder if they have heard of Walnut blasting which is the same as Sand but uses Walnut shells but much softer on metal?

[@charlieslorenson1861]

Just want to reach out to my boys that I worked with for 4 months and say hello I'm catching up on the videos

[@largesleepermadness6648]

Why no recent updates?

[@Masada1911]

Probably too much going on

[@johnm.5848]

She'll need lots of TLC but she's earned it. In the end, she'll be back to her former glory.

[@yes_head]

Whew. Those blisters... I'm now amazed she made the trip to drydock without springing a leak!

[@Z09SS]

Well, you tried to straighten the rudder. Looks stuck to me.

[@oldgoatlocker]

I don't no what was said before me and if the ship can afford the installation of dehydrators. But should be considered before the button up.

[@Mom-277]

Thank you Travis for the update. Love 'em'!!!

[@RockmanDash]

My Grandfather served on the USS New York during World War 2.

[@QVMVD]

I love the old battleship texas! :)

[@AggiePhil]

Can’t understand half of what Travis is saying. Come on man.

[@ConradSzymczak]

Not just lower, but stability is adversely affected.

[@MrAtlas40]

Now I know why the blisters should be reinstated. Thanks.

[@greypatch8855]

Absolutely love the update! Very informative

[@KBell119]

Does FlexSeal come in battleship grey?

[@koizumiizumi5426]

Moar of these upodate videos Pleas,e even if it just timelapse of them removing material, I love these

[@aoac1]

Fantastic overview, thanks so much! Really interesting in sights to the ship as well as the process. Looking forward to more.

[@krzysztofchazan6718]

Hi. do you know someone who has drawings of original blisters design?

[@klipsfilmsmelbourne]

its like uss oklahoma damage inspection but all the rust on the texas

[@LUNITICWILL]

once Texas gets some fresh steel put in her, take care of her with lessons learned from the past

[@mohawkdriver4155]

There is something primally frightening about standing/kneeling under that much steel. Am I alone here?

[@mikus4242]

It's on my bucket list....