Battle Ship Texas
Through out the course of navel history, the battleship has always played a significant role. As the world entered the twentieth century a new class of battleship was born. The 'dreadnaught' class represents a very small number of the warships in history, but was a significant advancement in technology. Of all of the 'dreadnaught' class that was built, only two were referred to as 'super dreadnaughts' and only one remains today. The battleship USS Texas is not just the last remaining ship of its kind, but also a great war hero that is credited with many innovations making it a true global landmark. In 1906 all the rules changed with the commission of the HMS Dreadnaught. (Scott) Prior to its launch, all battleships were designed with both short and medium range guns that reflected the war doctrines of the major navies. Most major countries believed that sea battles were conducted at close range and so needed smaller guns. Because most guns were limited in their firepower, armor was generally light. When the HMS Dreadnaught was launch this type of war doctrine and ship design was made obsolete. The HMS Dreadnaught was built with a large gun design. This enabled it to hit its target and to attack land bases
(Texas Parks and Wildlife)In 1983 the Texas Legislature transferred the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Battleship Texas to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. (Miller) As an obsolete ship, the USS Texas was a candidate for target practice. (Texas Parks and Wildlife) At the beginning of World War II there were newer ships that were faster, with bigger guns, and more armor then the USS Texas, but the USS Texas' 14-inch guns and new anti-aircraft guns made it effective for landing support. In addition to fixing the leaking hull, the shipyard also removed a concrete deck that was installed in the 1960s. The USS Texas and the USS New York were designed with the biggest guns ever installed on a ship at that time prompting a new class, the 'New York class' also known as 'super dreadnaught'. Like many countries, the United States of America joined the race spurred on by Alfred Thayer Mahan's book, The Influence of Sea Power on History, 1660-1783. (Department of the Navy, Navel Historical Center)On Christmas Eve 1945 the Battleship Texas complete its last task of service and was sent to Norfolk Naval Shipyard to prepare for decommissioning. (Miller) In preparation for the impending World War, two modified versions of the 'Wyoming class' were ordered. With the launching of the HMS Dreadnaught, the first global arms race was under way. The shipyard replaced almost 350,000 pounds of steal plate representing 15 percent of the hull's surface. When the unfinished ship entered the water on May 18, 1912, for the first time the launching of a United States battleship was captured by motion pictures. (Department of the Navy, Navel Historical Center) At the end of the World War I the USS Texas help escort the surrendered German fleet to Scapa Flow and later President Wilson into Brest France on his way the Versailles Peace Conference. The changes to the Battleship Texas included: new oil-fired boilers, more guns, torpedo blisters, heavier armor, and its current appearance. In his book Mahan concludes that Britain was able to become a global power through the mastery of the sea. (Scott) As the war in Europe drew to a close, the USS Texas was transferred to the Pacific and assisted in the landings of Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
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Acceptance Essays
