Battleship Texas move off to smooth start, which officials say bodes well for rest of journey

Battleship Texas took to the waters of the Houston Ship Channel with the same military precision that sailors aboard her had in 32 years of military service.

“We had a perfect launch,” said Tony Gregory, president and CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation. “It couldn’t have gone better. We pulled her out with one tug and five other tugs showed up and she’s gone, down the channel.”

The journey for Texas, her first move in 32 years, isn’t over until she is safely in a drydock in Galveston later today, officials said.

The historic move, planned for more than three years, is expected to draw crowds along the Houston Ship Channel throughout the day.

“It feels like Christmas Day for me,” said Paulie Gaido of Galveston, who was among the Friends of the Texas group who sweated and helped draw support for the move.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/battleship-texas-move-off-to-smooth-start/ar-AA11jnkZ

The Texas fought in World War I and World War II. My grandfather's Army uniform from World War I (along with uniforms from other branches of the Armed Services) is on display aboard the Texas.