Battleship Texas in Gulf Copper Galveston’s Shipyard for Restoration    

TAMUG students may have noticed the arrival of Battleship Texas to the shores of Pelican Island on the afternoon of August 31. The ship was transported that morning from San Jacinto to Gulf Copper Galveston’s Shipyard using tugboats. Here on Pelican Island, out of water for the first time in over 30 years since becoming a museum, the Texas is now the subject of a $35 million repair project with a current deadline of May 2023, and is undergoing major renovations to her hull.

Commissioned in 1914, and having served in both World Wars, the Battleship Texas is now the property of the Battleship Texas Foundation and stands as a pillar of Texas history and a symbol of American seapower..

Brad Currin of Valkor Energy Services, senior project manager of the Battleship Texas’ restoration and an ‘03 Aggie himself, took the time to answer some questions for the Nautilus regarding the nature and process of the Texas’ repairs and his experience overseeing the project thus far.

“The Battleship Texas struggled mightily for the last decade or so from substantial wastage that led to structural deficiencies and leaks throughout the vessel.” Currin explained, further describing that physical damages that would have rendered the ship irreparable were prevented by her being kept in shallow waters. Multiple previous repairs and preparations were also done on the Texas between 2011 and 2020 to ensure she was fully prepared for her next dry dock in Galveston. 

“We are examining the condition of the underwater hull and repairing the watertight integrity of the hull to extend the life of the historic ship for generations to come.” He explained,“A surprising fact is that much of the external underwater hull and coating from the last dry docking in 1988 is in very good condition. This means the ship has been wasting away from the inside-out rather than outside-in.”

Currin also described some of the details and challenges being faced in the repair process.“A challenge we have is how to best address the necessary repairs between the two options of insert renewal or double plating the original skin of the ship. Some of the areas are too wasted to apply a second skin, so they will need to be cropped out completely and replaced with an insert plate of similar material composition and original thickness.” He continued, “Additionally we will clean all of the inner bottom tanks of all moisture and silt sediment which built up with seepage and other various leaks over time.”

In regards to the project’s current deadline of May 2023, Currin explained that this is the date on which funding for the repair process will expire. The Battleship Texas Foundation thus hopes to receive additional donations to extend the project’s timeline in order to properly restore the ship. 

The project itself has taken longer than anticipated largely due to: the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges faced by Valkor in presenting their studies and findings of the ship’s condition to the Texas Legislature, along with extensive efforts that went into securing the necessary dry dock with Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston.

What is it like being the head of such a historical project? For Currin, “Being the project manager for the Battleship project is a surreal experience filled with joy, pride, frustration, and overwhelming moments.” When he and his employer, oil and energy company Valkor Energy Services, were approached in 2018 by the Battleship Texas Foundation with the possibility of transporting and repairing the Battleship Texas, they promised Texas Legislature, “Don’t trust us, trust the process”, the motto which, Currin says, “...has served us well for the entirety of the project.”

Currin  attributes much of the project’s success to the Battleship Texas Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife, and thanks them for their continuous trust and support.

Access to the Battleship Texas is currently restricted to the public. She can currently be seen docked on Pelican Island from multiple piers on the Galveston Channel across from the shipyard. To read more on the Battleship Texas’ history and keep track of updates on her repairs, visit the Battleship Texas Foundation website.