.

.

68,328.total miles sailed when America declared war on Germany with 9,489 miles during this period 6 April 1917, America's declaration of war against Germany had TEXAS at anchor, on the York River, VA. She remained in the York River - southern Chesapeake area conducting exercises and training 5" gun crews for service on merchant ships and troop transports. TEXAS departed 13 August for repairs in New York Navy Yard.

BB35 left New York on 26 September to rendezvous with other battleships en route to the British Isles. At about 4:25am on the 28th, she ran aground off north- eastern Block Island, Rhode Island at a point about 570 yards south of Balls Point. After three days of off loading to lighten the ship, TEXAS was re-float. The off loading included 1,475 tons of ammunition, 1,650 tons of coal, 70 tons of Paymaster Stores, and boats. The anchors were moved to the stern. On 1 October, at about 2:30am, pumping was started to removed the water from Void tanks at frame 2 to frame 24 which was followed by pumping out additional tanks. By 6:06am of 2 October, TEXAS was floating again. Six tugs boats were attached to lines to move TEXAS away from the area. The hull damage necessitated a return to the New York Navy Yard for two months of repairs.

photo right:  2 October 1917 - entering New York Navy Yard Hull damage - Block Island grounding: ripped open the bottom for a distance of about 140 feet. Bent the keel in one or two places Port side had indentations and breaks Both docking keels were damaged   Completing hull repairs in 5 December, TEXAS moved to Virginia for a month of war games before returning to the New York Navy Yard for final preparations for deployment to the war zone in Europe During this yard period, the first of 4 5" gun removals from second deck took place involveing numbers 9, 10 and 19, reducing the quantity aboard from 21 to 18. .

*** Battle efficiency pennant *** Gunnery trophy *** Steam-engineering trophy.

Exterior Changes: It is more likely the below changes, except for the 27 January 1918 5inch gun removal, happened during the previous yard period of 4 October to 5 December 1917. The changes listed below are not in the photo of BB35 entering the yard on 4 October. . It does not seem there would be enough time in January to make the changes. There is no reference in the January 1918 deck log to the changes Search light platforms on both masts were also relocated and reconfigured from twin vertical to a single horizontal platform (same as NEW YORK *Range clock with each search light platform Torpedo defense platform below the searchlight platforms was enclosed with canvas Turret gun training stripes  of black and white training stripes are on the sides of all turrets except Turret 3. NEW YORK had the same stripes except they were located at the top of the turrets Reduction of 5inch guns, from 18 to 16. The 1918 deck log armament page lists sixteen 5 inch guns, with #1 and 2 being removed 27 January 1918, from the Wardroom. This was the second of four removals of 5 inch guns from 2nd deck and the second of seven ship wide reconfigurations photo is after 27 January 1918 because no longer present is the forward 5 inch gun on second deck (Ward Room). Photo is courtesy of Charles Emmons, who's father Martin Emmons was aboard TEXAS during World War One

..

30 January 1918 Departs for Scapaflow

30 January 1918, TEXAS departed from Sheepshead Bay, NY for Scapa Flow, in the Orkney Isles, off the northern coast of Scotland. She arrived at Scapa Flow, 11 February, for service in the North Sea, during World War I. 77,817 total miles sailed when BB35 left New York

.

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