Anchors Aweigh: Battleship Texas Bids Goodbye To La Porte Home

LAPORTE, TX — The iconic Battleship Texas has been part of Houston’s landscape for 70 years, but it will be getting a brand-new home once repairs to the historic battleship are completed by the end of 2020.

Visitors will have until the end of the year to visit the historic relic that took part in two World Wars, including the D-Day invasion and the landing at Iwo Jima.

The Battleship Texas, which was commissioned in 1914, was taken out of service after World War II, and in 1948 was moored in the Houston Ship Channel where it became a floating museum.

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The ship was long a fascinating attraction in La Porte that along with the San Jacinto Monument across the street, that drew tourists to the gulf coast community.

However time has taken a toll and for several years, caretakers of the old ship have been fighting a losing battle against the ravages of time, and waning interest in touring the floating museum.

Earlier this month, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 1511 that funds $35 million in repairs to the vessel.

Once the ship is repaired, the plans are to bring the Battleship Texas to the upper Texas coast, with Galveston mentioned as a possibility.

The bill has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbot for his signature.

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