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Post by Elwood on Sept 4, 2023 16:12:58 GMT
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Post by Elwood on Sept 8, 2023 16:51:19 GMT
I guess this will also be the battleship thread. I have been trying to keep track of the progress done on the USS Texas, BB-35, in dry dock in Galveston. Still being worked on, due to remain in dry dock until at least February of next year. I read that as they have sufficient funds to do work that they thought they might not be able to get to. Good sign as originally I believe she was only scheduled to be there until this summer. After leaving dry dock, it will be tied up dockside for further reconstruction work on the topside and innerds. People running the whole thing are hoping when all’s finished, she’ll be in as good a shape as she has been since commissioning. Launched in 1912, commissioned in ‘14, saw action in WWI and II, including the landings at Normandy. Fascinating! Intend to visit her someday, I’ll try and keep up on her progress. battleshiptexas.org/
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Post by quincannon on Sept 8, 2023 17:35:14 GMT
There is a slight correction to your first post Mister E. Nevada was not the only ship to get underway during the attack, but it was the only battleship. I can think of two off the top of my head, Monahan and Neosho, and I believe there were several more. Cassin Young was awarded the Medal of Honor for getting Neosho moved away from Battleship Row, in that Neosho was chock full of aviation gasoline destined for NAS Ford Island when the attack took place.
I wish someone would find the money to do a complete rebuild on Olympia. She is in very bad shape and if something is not done fairly soon she will find herself at the bottom of the Delaware River.
Do they plan to bring Texas back to San Jacinto?
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Post by Elwood on Sept 8, 2023 19:17:18 GMT
Ah yes, should have inserted “battleship” there.
The Texas will NOT be returning to the San Jacinto park/battlefield. Final berthing spot is undecided as of now but I’m sure some spot will be found in the Greater Houston/Galveston area. Looks like repairs will be underway for the next 12 months or so.
Sorry about the Olympia. I had read sometime back that she was in a sad state of preservation. Takes quite a bit of money for these projects plus the willingness to actually do it.
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Post by quincannon on Sept 8, 2023 23:35:48 GMT
I am afraid that Texas not returning to San Jacinto spells the ultimate doom for Texas Mister E. Warship memorials are generally not destinations. They are nice to see things when your real destination is somewhere nearby. Most of these memorial ships are falling apart from lack of funds to keep them in good shape. There are exceptions like Constitution and Missouri which the Navy still owns, and keeps maintained, but the ones in private hands by and large are money pits that are not self sustaining by visitor generated revenue.
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Post by Elwood on Sept 9, 2023 16:27:49 GMT
I believe things are ok with the Texas. They are spending close to 100 mill. on the rebuild. She’ll be in the best shape she’s been in since WWII. They’ll find a spot in the Houston area. May be a ways away from SJ, allowing for traffic. I’m not sure of the specifics for leaving SJ but it was mutual. Texas wasn’t kicked out. Maybe the foundation that runs her figures she can be better maintained tied up at dockside. I do know the Texas Foundation is committed and well organized.
I was pessimistic when they wanted to bring the Midway to San Diego harbor. But it turns out it was an excellent decision. Great tourist attraction and very well run. There’s no reason the Texas, if things are done right, cant have a similar fate and future.
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Post by quincannon on Sept 9, 2023 17:03:00 GMT
Hope you are right.
I suppose my opinions are formed by New Jersey being docked in the worst neighborhood in New Jersey. By in large there are too many of these memorial ships in my view and not enough money to maintain them.
Constellation is in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, but no one goes there to visit the ship. They go there for the Inner Harbor which is a prime venue Spring through Fall, and indoors all year round. Constellation gets plenty of visitors, but it's because of Inner Harbor not the ship
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Post by miker on Sept 9, 2023 19:04:51 GMT
Do you not mean Constitution?
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Post by quincannon on Sept 9, 2023 21:19:40 GMT
No, Constellation. Constitution is at the old Boston Navy Yard, half of which is now a museum, and she is berthed with USS Cassin Young.
Constellation was one of the first six frigates. By the way Ian Toll wrote an exceptional book "Six Frigates" that is a must read. The Constellation at Baltimore is fictionally the same ship built in the 1790's but in reality it is not. The Constellation in Baltimore is a fraud perpetrated on Congress by the Navy. Congress would not appropriate money for new ships in I think the 1840-50's and Constellation was falling apart So what does the Navy do, they ask for money to repair Constellation, and the Navy proceeds to scrap Constellation and using some of the scrap and a lot of new stuff, builds a brand new "repaired" Constellation. One of the few times in our history that the Navy got its atrophied brains out of its dormant ass and did something smart.
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Post by miker on Sept 9, 2023 21:31:45 GMT
I have the book. I thought constellation was in NY or something. Thanks for setting me straight.
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Post by quincannon on Sept 10, 2023 4:34:18 GMT
When you go to Baltimore, eat crabs at Phillips then you can see four ships in the Inner Harbor, Constellation, Pride of Baltimore, Torsk, and the 327 foot Hamilton (Treasury) Class Cutter pre WWII that used to be called the Roger B Taney. Since he was the prime author of the Dred Scott decision, somebody thought it might be best to remove the name altogether. Don't know if that was the Coast Guard or someone in Baltimore. Regardless Taney is certainly the most interesting ship of the bunch with a splendid war record, and exceptional peacetime CG service over fifty plus years. She is the last of the ships afloat that was at Pearl on 7 December 41. I think there is another one still in existence, a tug I think, but last I heard she was in bad shape and out of the water. Taney is very well kept. Beautiful ship as were all of the 327's
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Post by Elwood on Oct 17, 2023 15:43:13 GMT
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Post by quincannon on Oct 17, 2023 18:40:41 GMT
Interesting phots Mister E. Thanks.
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Post by Elwood on Nov 12, 2023 3:34:01 GMT
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Post by Elwood on Nov 26, 2023 23:52:40 GMT
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