USS TEXAS is the last of the battleships, patterned after HMS Dreadnought, that participated in both WW I & II. Launched 18 May 1912 at Newport News, Virginia. Commissioned 12 March 1914, as the most powerful weapon at the time.

1916 - TEXAS became the first U.S. battleship to mount anti aircraft guns & the first to control gunfire with directors and range-keepers.

1919 - TEXAS became the first U.S. battleship to launch an aircraft.

1924 - Sank a new US Battleship so they would comply with the terms of the Naval Arms Limitation Treaty of 1922.

1925 - TEXAS underwent major modifications. Converted to oil-fired boilers, tripod masts & a single stack were added to the main deck, & the 5" guns that bristled from her sides were reduced in number & moved to the main deck to minimize problems with heavy weather & high seas. Blisters were also added as protection against torpedo attack.

1927 - US Fleet Flagship.

1939 - TEXAS received the first commercial radar in the US Navy. New anti-aircraft batteries, fire control & communication equipment allowed the ship to remain an aging but powerful unit in the US naval fleet.

1940 - Texas was designated flagship of US Atlantic Fleet.

1941 - The First Marine Division was founded aboard USS TEXAS.

1948 - April 21, USS Texas was decommissioned.

1948 - Battleship TEXAS became the first battleship memorial museum in the U.S. That same year, on the anniversary of Texas Independence, the Texas was presented to the State of Texas & commissioned as the flagship of the Texas Navy.

1977 - Designated a National Historic Landmark.

1983 - TEXAS was placed under the stewardship of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department & is permanently anchored on the Buffalo Bayou & the Houston Ship Channel.

The TEXAS is also a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark.

Official Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/battlesh/

powerful weapon at the time.

1916 - TEXAS became the first U.S. battleship to mount anti aircraft guns & the first to control gunfire with directors and range-keepers.

1919 - TEXAS became the first U.S. battleship to launch an aircraft.

1924 - Sank a new US Battleship so they would comply with the terms of the Naval Arms Limitation Treaty of 1922.

1925 - TEXAS underwent major modifications. Converted to oil-fired boilers, tripod masts & a single stack were added to the main deck, & the 5" guns that bristled from her sides were reduced in number & moved to the main deck to minimize problems with heavy weather & high seas. Blisters were also added as protection against torpedo attack.

1927 - US Fleet Flagship.

1939 - TEXAS received the first commercial radar in the US Navy. New anti-aircraft batteries, fire control & communication equipment allowed the ship to remain an aging but powerful unit in the US naval fleet.

1940 - Texas was designated flagship of US Atlantic Fleet.

1941 - The First Marine Division was founded aboard USS TEXAS.

1948 - April 21, USS Texas was decommissioned.

1948 - Battleship TEXAS became the first battleship memorial museum in the U.S. That same year, on the anniversary of Texas Independence, the Texas was presented to the State of Texas & commissioned as the flagship of the Texas Navy.

1977 - Designated a National Historic Landmark.

1983 - TEXAS was placed under the stewardship of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department & is permanently anchored on the Buffalo Bayou & the Houston Ship Channel.

The TEXAS is also a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark.

Official Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/battlesh/

The San Jacinto Monument is a 570-foot with a 34-foot star atop, symbolizing the Lone Star Republic. It is dedicated to the "Heroes of the Battle of San Jacinto and all others who contributed to the independence of Texas."

15 feet taller than the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.

The monument took 3 years to build, started on 21 April 1936 & dedicated on 21 April 1939. The San Jacinto Museum of History is within & the collections spans more than four hundred years of early Texas history. One can ride up in a lift to the Observation Platform.

Official Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/sanjac/monument.phtml

the independence of Texas."

15 feet taller than the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.

The monument took 3 years to build, started on 21 April 1936 & dedicated on 21 April 1939. The San Jacinto Museum of History is within & the collections spans more than four hundred years of early Texas history. One can ride up in a lift to the Observation Platform.

Official Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/sanjac/monument.phtml

Kemah Boardwalk; An area of waterfront dining, shopping, fair ground rides etc.. family day out entertainment.
Official Website http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
and Joe's Boardwalk Beast
http://www.boardwalkbeast.com/

http://www.boardwalkbeast.com/

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum. A fabulous place to spend a few hours. Very informative and educational with lots of exhibits and models. A must see if visiting Galveston.
Official Website http://www.oceanstaroec.com

http://www.oceanstaroec.com

Space Center Houston - the Official Visitors Center of NASA's Johnson Space Center
Official Website http://www.spacecenter.org/

General views of Galveston around Harborside Drive & Seawall Boulevard, including the Tall Ship Elissa - 12 & 13 June 2005

Seawolf Park on Pelican Island, is the home of the USS Cavalla SSK-244 submarine & Destroyer Escort USS Stewart (DE-238).

USS Cavalla is a memorial to the USS Seawolf (SS197) which was lost on October 3, 1944 with all hands--83 men and officers including 17 U.S. Army Rangers that were in transit to the Philippines.

Seawolf Park was built on an immigration station site & offers a three-story pavilion with a view of Galveston Harbor, picnic sites, a playground area & a lighted fishing pier.

October 3, 1944 with all hands--83 men and officers including 17 U.S. Army Rangers that were in transit to the Philippines.

Seawolf Park was built on an immigration station site & offers a three-story pavilion with a view of Galveston Harbor, picnic sites, a playground area & a lighted fishing pier.

Six [free] ferries cover the 20 minute journey between Galveston & Port Bolivar, 24hrs. They each carry 52 standard size cars & 400 passengers, make 12 kts & 185' in length. I only saw 3 sailing, and another 2 tied up - 13 June 2005

another 2 tied up - 13 June 2005