KITE BALLOON

 28 May 1918 to nlt October 1918

 

The balloon was a two-man observation platform that floated 800 - 1000 feet above the ship, at the stern. A telephone was connected from the balloon to the bridge. Each occupant was provided a parachute. TEXAS was not the only US battleship in the 6th Battle Squadron to tow the balloon.  I do not know when use of the balloon ended.. 

The object on the 14inch gun barrel is a bore site gun which fired a powder charge and was used during gunnery training.

28 May 1918:  A kite balloon was brought aboard, from the kite balloon station, at Rosyth Scotland, from the book "North Sea Days"

11 June 1918:  The kite balloon broke loose was an entry in the deck log

 

TEXAS from the kite balloon

Photo in book "North Sea Days"