U.S.S. TEXAS - BB35

Ice Machine Room

Be sure to click on the stars and arrows on the deck plan shown below to see photos taken from that spot on the ship and in the direction the arrow points.

This compartment, along with a smaller one farther forward, served as the basic cooling system for the ship.  Among other critical functions, it provided conditioned air to the powder magazines.  Comparison with original ship's drawings strongly suggests that this equipment was installed in a 1912-14 timeframe.  The archaic appearance of the electric motors supports this.  The long stroke, reciprocating compressors have the motor on one side and a flywheel on the other.  The compartment is a testament to what happens to sensitive areas that are open to the public and the ship's staffs in its early days as a museum.  Gauges and other instruments have been destroyed, and everything received numerous layers of paint.