After more than a year of uncertainty, Battleship Texas will now be moored at Pier 15 in Galveston.
The decision to move the USS Texas — the last remaining World War I dreadnought battleship — to the Galveston Pier, was approved earlier this week by the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees. The permanent home for the battleship had been in limbo for well over a year after the board hadauthorizedand thenbacked out of, a leasing agreement. From August 2022 to March 2024, Battleship Texas was dry-docked in Galveston as it underwent repairs.
During the Tuesday board meeting, Vice Chairman Jeff Patterson said that although some details still needed to be ironed out, a permanent location for the ship had been determined.
"We have come to a decision on where we can locate the Battleship Texas," Patterson said. "The two main considerations for this location were really the safety of the channel — that was the driving force that we heard from pilots from the Coast Guard and from the Corps of Engineers."
Another reason for choosing Pier 15, Patterson said, is because it is more likely to protect this ship from storms.
"Getting it out of the channel is a better location for hurricanes," he said. "The other part is that this location doesn't really compromise any of our future expansion plans, whatever those might be. This isn't a space that's available for the public or for us to use in the future."
Currently, the battleship is owned by the Battleship Texas Foundation. Patterson said the foundation is funded by the state, meaning that Galveston residents will not have to foot the bill for mooring the ship.
"I'd also just like to say to the public that there are no port funds that are being used to move the Battleship Texas here," he said. "That's financed by the state of Texas and by the Battleship Texas Foundation."
Following the vote, the foundation shared a statement via social media that the new location will bring tourism and education to Texans across the state.
"Big news for Battleship Texas! After years of hard work and dedication, we're thrilled to have the support of the Wharves Board to bring TEXAS to Pier 15 in Galveston- just a short walk from Pier 21 and the historic Galveston Strand,' the foundation wrote in anInstagram post. Texas, the last ship of its kind, will promote tourism, educate future generations, and create a visitor experience worthy of her crew and legacy."
The exact opening date for Battleship Texas has not yet been finalized.
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