No Texas schoolchild’s elementary education is complete without a visit to the
Battleship Texas and the adjacent San Jacinto Battle Grounds. The
1,000-acre park on the Houston Ship Channel is a history lesson that children
of all ages will not soon forget. The battleship is one of the few things in a
child’s young life that remains as big as they remember it when they return
with their own children.
The Battleship Texas is the last surviving member of the
“dreadnought” class of warships designed at the turn of the century. The
purpose of these ships was to take their big guns to the action. She is also
the last surviving U.S. Naval vessel to have seen service in both World Wars.
When the U.S.S. Texas was commissioned in 1914, she was the most
powerful weapon in the world. Twice during her naval career, the ship underwent
major modifications to keep her an aging but powerful instrument in the
American arsenal. Her 10 14″ guns could hurl a 1,500-pound projectile 12
miles.
During World War I, she saw action patrolling the North Sea. In World War II,
the Texas participated in the African invasion in 1942 and the invasion
at Omaha beach on D-Day. From the European theatre, she moved to the Pacific
theatre, where she supplied bombardment at the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
The Battleship Texas never took a major hit from the enemy.
Like any good soldier, the Battleship Texas has now spent more than
half of her existence in peaceful retirement. Since 1948, the 81-year-old
warship has been moored off the Houston Ship Channel in southeast Houston as a
monument to those who served in the U.S. Navy. A state park since 1983, the
Texas underwent hull and deck restoration at a Galveston shipyard
beginning in 1988. When she returned to her San Jacinto berth in September,
1990, she was sporting a new coat of camouflage blue paint. With the re-opening
of the memorial, living and working spaces – some of which had never been
opened to the public – had been refurbished to 1945 condition. The Battleship
Texas was officially made the state ship of Texas by the 1995
session of the state Legislature.
Touring the main and second decks of the 573′ battleship can be quite a
workout, especially in the Houston heat and humidity. A tour path and displays
guide visitors through the maze of narrow passages and steep ladders. But it is
an awe-inspiring feeling to stand on the deck of the once-powerful warship and
look out over the Texas coastal plains.
The Battleship Texas is open to the public for tours Wednesday-Sunday,
10am-5pm. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students. There is also a gift
shop, restrooms, and snack bar at the entrance. Admission to San Jacinto Battle
Ground Park is free and offers an impres-sive view of the battleship and other
historic sites. For information call 713/479-2431, or 713/479-2411 for recorded
directions.
Also in the park is the 570′ San Jacinto Monument, the obelisk that
commemorates the end of the Texas Revolution. The Texas history museum on the
first floor of the monument is free and is open 9am-6pm. The observation deck
costs $2.50 adults and $1 kids. For information call 713/479-2421.
Coming up this weekend…
Texas International Apple Festival in Median invites visitors to the
apple orchards along the river for a fair that is an apple pie-lovers dream,
July 29. 210/589-7224.
Walburg Restaurant & Biergarten north of Georgetown celebrates
Summerfest with an all-you-can-eat German buffet, July 28-30. These buffets are
held only four times a year and reservations are essential. 512/863-8440.
Castell VFD Bar-B-Q hopes day trippers driving FM152 following the
Llano River west of Llano will stop by for lunch. 915/247-5354.
Harvest Evenings at Messina Hof Vineyards outside of Bryan has
scheduled Shake Russell & Jack Saunders, July 29; ’60s Rock ‘n’ Roll
Revival, Aug. 5; Summer Love (musical revue), Aug. 12. The deli opens at 7pm,
show at 8pm. Admission.
800/736-9463.
Coming up…
REI Seminars include: Useful Wild Plants of Texas, Aug. 17; Birds of
Prey, Aug. 24; Bats…Everything You Wanted to Ask (includes a field trip to
Congress Ave. bridge), Aug. 31. All seminars are free and begin at 7pm at the
outdoor outfitters, 12th and Lamar. 474-2393.
Star Watch at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center outside of Glen Rose includes
dinner, an astronomer, and the annual Perseid meteor shower, Aug.18.
817/897-2960.
– Gerald E. McLeod
This article appears in July 28 • 1995 and July 28 • 1995 (Cover).