La Porte in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

U.S.S. Texas

National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark

U.S.S. <i>Texas</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 15, 2010

1. U.S.S. Texas Marker

Inscription.
Last steam engine-driven battleship
Four cylinder triple expansion steam engines
Largest afloat (27,000 h.p.) at commissioning (1914)
Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.
U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers - 1975

Erected 1975 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • War, World I • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.

Location. 29° 45.384′ N, 95° 5.397′ W. Marker is in La Porte, Texas, in Harris County. Marker can be reached from Battlefield Road, 2 miles north of Pasadena Freeway (Texas Highway 225). The Battleship Texas is in San Jacinto State Park, berthed in a cove off the Houston Ship Channel. The marker is on the ship's quarterdeck - on the Turret No. 4 barbette, above the "Battleship Texas" National Historical Landmark plaque. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4000 Independence Pkwy, La Porte TX 77571, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Marine Division (a few steps from

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this marker); San Jacinto Masonic Monument (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sherman's Camp (about 600 feet away); Captain William Wood (approx. 0.2 miles away); Freeman Wilkinson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Isaac L. Jaques (approx. 0.2 miles away); Twin Sisters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Burleson's Camp (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.

Also see . . .
1. New York class battleship. Wikipedia Article
The New York class was the last full class to use vertical triple expansion (VTE) engine equipment. (Submitted on September 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

2. Battleship Texas State Historic Site. (Submitted on September 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional commentary.
1. National Register of Historic Places:
U.S.S. TEXAS *** (added 1976 - Structure - #76002039) —
Also known as The Battleship Texas —
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering —
Architect,

U.S.S. <i>Texas</i>' Mechanical Engineering Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 15, 2010

2. U.S.S. Texas' Mechanical Engineering Landmark Marker

Displayed above her National Historic Landmark plaque.

builder, or engineer: Newport News Shipbuilding Co. —
Architectural Style: Other —
Area of Significance: Military, Engineering —
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949 —
Historic Function: Defense, Transportation —
Historic Sub-function: Naval Facility, Water-Related —
Current Function: Recreation And Culture —
Current Sub-function: Museum —

— Submitted September 27, 2010, by R. Zebley of Rapid City, South Dakota.

2. Marker Clarification
I live in Fort Worth, TX, and have visited the USS Texas several times.

I've always considered this plaque to be a misnomer, unless one wants to consider a steam turbine to NOT be a steam engine. I think the plaque should more properly read: "Last reciprocating steam engine-driven battleship . . . . .".

— Submitted May 3, 2011, by Brad Bradfield of Fort Worth, Texas.

Additional keywords. "Battleship Texas"; BB- U.S.S. Texas

Quarterdeck of U.S.S. <i>Texas</i> - at the end the pedestrian bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 8, 2010

3. Quarterdeck of U.S.S. Texas - at the end the pedestrian bridge

from the ship's tour ticket office ashore - marker panels displayed at left.

U.S.S. <i>Texas</i> - view from the bridge with the ship's forward 14 inch guns image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 15, 2010

4. U.S.S. Texas - view from the bridge with the ship's forward 14 inch guns

bearing toward the San Jacinto Monument.

U.S.S. <i>Texas</i> (BB-35) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 15, 2010

5. U.S.S. Texas (BB-35)

U.S.S. <i>Texas</i> 20 and 40 mm light anti-aircraft guns and fire control director, aft of marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 15, 2010

6. U.S.S. Texas 20 and 40 mm light anti-aircraft guns and fire control director, aft of marker.

"TEXAS Through TIME" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 15, 2010

7. "TEXAS Through TIME"

informational panel on main deck.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,489 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6. submitted on September 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 7. submitted on September 22, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.