UPPER SHELL DECK

The level inside the barbette where shells for turrets 1,3 and 5 were brought up from 1st platform and stored before going up to the gun for loading. Turrets 2 and 4) had two such levels and received shells from the Lower Shell Deck.  30 shells are stored here nose down, around the outer-bulkhead. While shells would be raised from the Lower Shell Deck (Lower Handling Room), a second pair of aft located shell hoists would send shells up to the Gun House. The hoists were modified during a Boston Navy Yard period, 23 January - 25 February 1944. This coincides with the use of the Mark 19 HC and 20 Mark AP shells.

In Turret 1, the space behind the outboard bulkhead is where he crew hide "liberated" officer food stuffs	The two aft Upper Shell Hoists (one for each gun) raise the shells up and into the Turret.

"Arrangement of Electrical Controlling Apparatuses in 14in Turrets - USS TEXAS", Newport News 55791, with USN approval date of 6 June 1912.