http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/06/12/battleship-texas-closed-after-sprouting-new-leak.html# This saddens me. Though I know that they are doing all they can.
Eventually we will only have the virtual remnants of these memorials left, and I feel the majority of newer generations would prefer this over the real experience.
I think I read that the issue is structural as in she can't handle her own weight and could collapse. They are afraid to move her as there is the real possibility she could sink and block the channel. What they need is to partner with a foam company or that rubber stuff to seal the hull and get her to drydock.
In 2008, the Texas Legislature appropriated $25 million for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to dry berth the Battleship Texas. In 2009, the Legislative Budget Board approved funding for the dry berth project, provided that the ship was dry berthed in her current location adjacent to the San Jacinto Battleground. The Battleship Texas Foundation (BTF) pledged an additional $4 million toward the dry berth project. With this funding, TPWD was tasked with accomplishing three things: Make only those repairs necessary to get the ship into a dry berth. Design and construct a dry berth. Place the ship into the dry berth and make her presentable to the public.
Interesting. The frames under her machinery are rotted out which precludes towing to a repair facility. Doesn't bode well for the Texas I'm afraid. Not sure how'd they repair that in situ. Encasing in concrete like the Mikasa is probably the only cost effective solution.
they don't do something with it soon the only people seeing it are going to be a wrecking crew to get it off the bottom.
It is a sad thing to go through two world wars to be 107 years old to languish from disrepair. Being one of the oldest, and among the few that are left in the world of any navy.
The only dreadnought era Battleship left if I remember right. The most prolific era/type of battleship. It would be a real shame to lose the only example.
