BATTLESHIP TEXAS

Overview
203,783 total miles sailed upon entering dry-dock TEXAS would have been scrapped: A modernization came about because of the Washington Naval Limitation Treaty of 1922. The treaty placed a 10-year moratorium on new battleship construction but it did not prohibit overhauling older ships. In response Congress authorized funding for a major overhaul of several older battleships. Had there not been a moratorium, TEXAS and NEW YORK would have been scrapped when new ship’s came into service later in the 1920s. Catching up with technology: The changes reflect the need to catch up with improvement in technology for operating efficiency and defense against improved attack methods. Not only were mechanical and electrical systems modernized but the ship's structure was added to. Such additions would continue over the coming years almost to the point where the ship was taken out of service. 1927 structure in the present: The 1927 appearance is the basic configuration of World War II and up through today Modernization Cost $3,477,000, per 27 September 1927 TEXAS weekly newspaper "The TEXAS Toreador". The final cost for the entire ship in 1914 was almost $11 million.
	Notes
The engines were not affected by the modernization Not implemented were1923 drawings to replace the reciprocating engines with turbines and locate the turbines in the boiler rooms. The boilers were to be relocated outboard of the turbines.

Flag Bridge not installed during this period but in Portsmouth Navy Yard, Va, 7 June to 20 August 1927

		Installed Modern gun fire control and communications...........
		Plot Room (red location) was relocated here.
		Replaced - 14 coal/oil fired with 6 oil-fired.......................................
		Boilers: Since the boilers installed by 1912, fuel oil was used for each had 6 oil burners but were only used during high speeds. The change more than doubled the ships sailing range for fuel oil has more energy than coal in equal volumes and more fuel oil could be easily stored in additional spaces because it is a liquid. Fuel oil was more efficient and cleaner to load which eliminated the contamination and mess caused during coaling.. The number of people needed to operate the boiler rooms was reduced due to there being fewer boilers and without coal 140 crew were no longer needed for moving coal to the boilers. Click here to view overhead drawings from Hold up to Main Deck showing the amidships area before and after modernization. The areas were gutted to remove the boilers and rebuilt with new uptakes up to the main deck. Second deck compartments were removed, such as the Armory.

The hull was added for extra protection against the increased threat from torpedo attack. The upper level is just below 2nd deck and covers from frame 15 (60 feet from the front perpendicular) to frame 127 (508 feet from the front perpendicular). Click here for more hull cross-sections

Per C&R drawing # 131538, dated 1926, the catapult was designed to launch a 6,500pound airplane at 55mph.

The catapult was permanently removed 12 December 1945.

This was the fourth and final location for ship’s airplane launchings.

TEXAS carried 11 different types of airplanes with the first ones brought aboard in December 1918.

TEXAS never carried a compressed air powered catapult.

From Leeward Publication - as of 1945

Two present at the time modernization with the other six relocated from the cranes, Turret 3 and Turret 4.

TEXAS left Norfolk Navy Yard, on 23 November 1926 to undergo an extensive shake down period. Between 6 June to August 1927 a Flag Bridge was installed above the Navigation Bridge.. After the June-August dry dock in Portsmouth Navy Yard, speed trials were conducted of Rockland, Maine. From Rockland, she sailed for New York City to rejoin regular US Navy activity. As of 1 September and for the for the next 3 years and 8 months, TEXAS is the flagship of the US Navy.

219,481 total miles sailed upon becoming the Flagship of the US Navy

23 Nov 1926 - No Flag Bridge

After 20 Aug 1927 - Flag Bridge present

5in Gun: This change was the fifth of seven configurations with the relocation of 2nd deck guns 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 to the main deck. The final 8 guns on 2^nd deck were removed between March to May 1942.
Before
After
After