Weapon

U.S.S. TEXAS - BB35

Weapons

In its final configuration, Texas was equipped with ten 14" guns, six 5"/51cal cannon, ten 3"/50cal cannon, forty 40mm Bofors in ten quad mounts and forty-four 20mm automatic cannon. Except for a number of 20mm mounts, most of the weapons were either left on board the ship or have been restored. A close look at photos of the weapons show that they are all covered with heavy layers of paint that are not appropriate. This was done to protect them from the ravages of weather and visitors. Maintaining them in their original state would be practically impossible.

All, except for the 20mm, were directed weapons. In other words, the gunners received targeting information from remote locations and aimed accordingly. The 40mm's went one step further with each quad mount being linked to and remotely operated by its own director. Unfortunately, all that remains are the Mk.51 directors that served the 40mm Bofors. Fire control equipment for everything else, consisting of directors, range finders, range keepers, stable elements and other targeting equipment was taken from the ship prior to it being moved to its current location in 1948 and have not been replaced.

There is no reason for showing empty compartments and decks where fire control equipment used to be. One exception is Plotting and Secondary Battery located on the 2nd Platform. While almost all of the equipment has been removed, the electrical control boards are still there and enough is known about this very important compartment to make a visit worthwhile.

Click on images of the weapons to go to photos and descriptions of each one. Click on the partial image of the ship to go to descriptions of the directors and fire control systems. Find detailed technical and statistical information on Texas' main armament at Chuck Moore's website by clicking on the following: Main Arms.

Fire Control

As stated above, all but the 20mm weapons systems relied upon some means of directed fire control. It their basic form, the systems needed to determine the range and angle to a target, compute its speed and direction along with that of the ship's, and use that information to aim the weapon so that when fired, its projectile would meet the target at the right time and place. While this sounds simple, it involved extremely complex calculations that occurred continuously. Click on the image to the left to see what this included.

14" Guns

These big guns were the primary reason for the ship to exist in the first place and in 1914, they made Texas the deadliest ship in the world. Even though newer designs, larger guns and new threats made her obsolete in a sea superiority role, they still proved highly effective for eliminating the enemy during amphibious landings.

5" Guns

The 5"/51 caliber guns on Texas were original to the ship when commissioned in 1914. They did not have the velocity, range or mount design to be effective as anti-aircraft weapons, but they performed well in close-up fire support missions such as for knocking out enemy beach positions at Normandy.

3" Guns

These guns were also installed on Texas very early in her career. While they could be used for close in defense, they were primarily used in an anti-aircraft role.

40mm Guns

The 40mm Bofors mounts were very effective, high rate of fire, anti-aircraft weapons that were added to the ship in the last year of WWII. They replaced the inferior 1.1" cannon as a critical measure against Japanese aircraft attacks.

20mm Guns

These were the last resort, close-in defense against aircraft attacks. The 20mm was large enough to tear an airplane apart at close range, which was the only way to stop it.

Fire Control	As stated above, all but the 20mm weapons systems relied upon some means of directed fire control. It their basic form, the systems needed to determine the range and angle to a target, compute its speed and direction along with that of the ship's, and use that information to aim the weapon so that when fired, its projectile would meet the target at the right time and place. While this sounds simple, it involved extremely complex calculations that occurred continuously. Click on the image to the left to see what this included.
14" Guns	These big guns were the primary reason for the ship to exist in the first place and in 1914, they made Texas the deadliest ship in the world. Even though newer designs, larger guns and new threats made her obsolete in a sea superiority role, they still proved highly effective for eliminating the enemy during amphibious landings.
5" Guns	The 5"/51 caliber guns on Texas were original to the ship when commissioned in 1914. They did not have the velocity, range or mount design to be effective as anti-aircraft weapons, but they performed well in close-up fire support missions such as for knocking out enemy beach positions at Normandy.
3" Guns	These guns were also installed on Texas very early in her career. While they could be used for close in defense, they were primarily used in an anti-aircraft role.
40mm Guns	The 40mm Bofors mounts were very effective, high rate of fire, anti-aircraft weapons that were added to the ship in the last year of WWII. They replaced the inferior 1.1" cannon as a critical measure against Japanese aircraft attacks.
20mm Guns	These were the last resort, close-in defense against aircraft attacks. The 20mm was large enough to tear an airplane apart at close range, which was the only way to stop it.