So you wanna be a landlubber and see a battleship in Texas, eh?
Yarrr, matey! You've developed a hankering for history (or maybe just a love of big freakin' guns), and your compass is pointing you towards the great state of Texas. But hold your horses (or should we say, fire up your galleon?) because there's a bit of a twist to this tale.
No swashbucklin' sea battles here, partner
You see, Texas doesn't have any active battleships sailin' the seven seas these days. Those bad boys are retired, enjoying their golden years like any good ol' war veteran. But fear not, history buff! Texas doesn't disappoint when it comes to preserving the past.
Enter the USS Texas: A Battleship with More Guts Than a Texas Longhorn
This mighty vessel, the USS Texas (BB-35), is a legend. She served our country valiantly in both World Wars, saw action from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and even earned a cool five battle stars for her service. That's right, five! This ship earned more stars than a Hollywood Walk of Fame wannabe!
But wait, there's more! The USS Texas holds the esteemed title of being the world's last surviving Dreadnought battleship. That's a fancy way of saying she's one of the OG's, a pioneer in the world of naval warfare. Pretty darn impressive for a ship that could probably crush your car with one broadside.
So, where can you find this magnificent metal beast?
Now we're talkin'! The USS Texas is docked (permanently, mind you) at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, which is a stone's throw away from Houston. That's right, you can walk the decks where history was made! Explore the nooks and crannies, pretend to steer the ship (just don't bump into any tourists!), and imagine the firepower this machine once possessed.
But wait, there's a catch (kind of)
The USS Texas has been out of commission for a while, and like any senior citizen, she needs a little TLC. Unfortunately, due to repairs, access to the ship may be limited at times. So, do yourself a favor and check the Battleship Texas Foundation website [Battleship Texas Foundation] before you head out to make sure she's ready for visitors.
There you have it, mateys! Your guide to seeing a battleship in Texas. The USS Texas awaits, a monument to American history and a reminder of the power of these incredible machines. Just remember, if you see a parrot perched on the crow's nest, it's probably not real. And if it is, well, that's a whole different story!
