U.S.S. TEXAS - BB35

1911 - 1914

Click on the thumbnails to view the photos.

 

	Texas' keel was laid on April 17, 1911.  At top left, the way is prepared and scaffolds erected prior to the keel being started.  The right photo shows the keel and hull progressing with bulkheads providing structural support.  The center row, left photo shows the protective deck being laid where it slopes downward over the steering gear.  The right photo shows a stern view of the barbettes for turrets four and five.  The two rectangular boxes forward of them are machinery spaces that will contain two huge reciprocating steam engines.  The last photo is immediately prior to launch.  Note the two torpedo tubes in the hull just above the mid point of the ramp.  Also note the teak timbers attached to the hull that will be sandwiched between the hull and the belt armor once it is in place.
	Texas was launched on 18 May 1912 by Miss Claudia Lyon.  It is said that this was also the first ship launch to be filmed in motion; however, it is not known if any copies of the film still exist.
	Photos to the left were taken during pre-commissioning trials.  You can see that the mainmast has yet to be completed.  Note in the first photo that the wake almost forms one single wave along the hull with a peak at the bow, the trough amidships and another peak just ahead of the stern.  It is a good indicator that the ship was approaching maximum hull speed.