Battleship Texas

My wife is a sucker for ships....We once went all
the way to Nashville, Tennessee just to ride on
a stern-drive paddle-wheel boat. (I have to admit
the Marguritas tasted awfully good in the mist of
the paddle-wheel boat.. These photos were taken
on a visit to the Battleship Texas, which is
permanently moored at San Jacinto State Park just
east of Houston. The 'Texas' was the pride of the
U.S. Navy when she was commissioned in 1912.
The 'Texas' was the first ship to have anti-aircraft
guns, and also the first to have directional-assisted
firing of her sixteen inch guns. The 'Texas' fought
in both World Wars for America. During the invasion
of Normandy, the Texas fired salvos over the heads
of Americans soldiers as they headed for the beaches
of France. The Texas also fought in the Pacific campaign
after Germany surrendered. The Texas was a key
player in the U.S. invasion of Okinawa.
Today the 'ol girl is in retirement in Southeast Texas
and a lot of the ship is off-limits to visitors as it has
fallen into a state of disrepair. Some of the crew compartments
can be rented out to groups to spend the night. Boy Scouts,
athletic teams, and the like are always welcome. The 'Texas'
is within sight of the San Jacinto Monument,..where Santa Anna
surrended his Mexican army to the volunteer army of Sam
Houston...and Texas had won its independence!