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2,850 total miles sailed as of commissioning. photo right - BB35 in Norfolk Navy Yard. On Turret 2, on the side near the face, the hole for the port half of the range finder is not present. After the 12 March commissioning, TEXAS did not leave Norfolk until 24 March  (for the New York Navy Yard).  The crew had to ready the ship for sailing and for 12 days stores and provisions were brought aboard.  The Newport News Shipyard provided the structure and the systems but it was now up to Navy to provide the consumables (from parts, to eggs, bar soap, oil, cash) to make the ship operational.  For the first two days, the crew ate aboard other ships until facilities onboard Texas were ready for breakfast on the 14th.  At the same time,8 to 39 workers from Newport News Shipyard and Norfolk worked on various structures and systems from 13 March till  23 March (joiners, riveters, shipwrights, shipfitters, riggers, drillers, laborers and helpers) In the the New York Navy Yard, fire control equipment was installed.  Installing the rangefinders at the front of turret 2 and 4 required cutting an opening on both sides through 9 inches of class A armor.  While in New York, US Navy ships were being ordered to Mexico in response to growing tensions between the US and Mexico, that started with the "Tampico Incident", on 26 April.. Texas was also ordered to Mexico when the yard work was finished.  On 7 May, the New York Times reports that on 6 May, a 9 foot by 18 foot silk ensign was presented by the "Texas Club of New York". The flag was then hoisted on the stern. Leaving the New York area on 13 May, and after a five-day stop at Hampton Roads (14 - 19 May), VA, TEXAS arrived off Vera Cruz, on the 26th . TEXAS had her shake down cruise on her way to Mexico..

After a five-day stop at Hampton Roads (14 - 19 May), VA, TEXAS arrived off Vera Cruz, on the 26th. She remained in the area for two months.   Through out of the country the New York Times wrote an article about the ship having all electric galleys. Among the weekly food stuffs prepared was 6,800 pounds of bread. One meal could use 175 gallons of coffee, 600 lbs of meat and 140 gallons of soup. 8 August - departs Vera Cruz for America: After an over-night stop in Nipre Bay, Cuba, continued to New York and entered the Navy Yard on 21 August. Before departing for New York, the growing tensions in Europe since the 28 Jun assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, erupted into World War I, 4 August 1914.

Photos provided by Charles Emmons, from the collection of his father Martin Emmons, TEXAS veteran of 1917-1918. 

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8 August - departs Vera Cruz for America: After an over-night stop in Nipre Bay, Cuba, continued to New York and entered  Navy Yard on  21 August.Before departing for New York, the growing tensions in Europe since the 28 Jun assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, erupted into World War I, 4 August 1914

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13,908.total miles sailed upon arrival in Mexico plus 2,333 miles during this period in Mexico TEXAS completed yard work on 5 September and rejoined the Atlantic Fleet for operations of the East Coast. On 23 September she departed again for the East Coast of Mexico, arriving on 1 October She again operated between Vera Cruz north to Tampico until leaving Mexico, on 20 December. TEXAS Crew at the Mexican prison, in Vera Cruz

BB35 made a brief trip to Galveston, Texas, arriving 6 November 1914, the ship’s only visit to Texas as an active duty US Navy ship. The main purpose for the visit was to receive the ship’s silver service.

BB35 was presented with Ursa, a West Texas brown bear cub by Texaco, Texaco is an abbreviation for "The Texas Company". Ursa was the name of a Texaco lubricant that was used aboard BB35

20 December was the final departure from Mexico. BB35 entered the New York Navy Yard for repairs on 26 December lasting until 16 February 1915. From this date until 30 January 1918, BB35 operated off the east coast and the Caribbean. 16,241.total miles sailed upon departure and 18,694 miles upon arrival in New York

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Started 11 May 1999 Chuck Moore, FTV (1st Texas Volunteers) BB35 volunteer group