Navy Poster . . .

Battleship TEXAS Foundation

Newsletter of the Battleship Texas Foundation Spring 2015

In this issue . . .

From The Director’s Chair Pg1

Repair Funds Pg2

First TX Volunteers Pg3

Capt. Alcorn Pg4

Grants, Summer Camp Pg5

A Ship of Many Colors Pg6

Overnight Program Howard Mills Pg7

In Honor Of Pg8

In Honor Of continued Battleship Supporters Pg9

Membership Forms Pg10

From The Director’s Chair

We are blessed in Texas to have some of the greatest historical iconic symbols one could ever want to see and visit. Each of us has our favorites. As a child I was a freak for all things Alamo. In my mind it did not get any better than Davey Crockett. I still remember the first time as a lit-tle boy my family made the trip to San Antonio and I had the opportunity to see the Alamo in person. That trip opened my eyes and my mind to so much more of the full story of the Alamo and those who served there and gave their life there. It is a story that still stays with me a life-time later. I must confess that growing up as a North Texas resident I heard much more about the Alamo than any other historic place in Texas. It was not until years later that I began to learn more about other places like Washington on The Brazos, The San Jacinto Battleground, and The Battleship Texas. You could look long and hard to find anyone that would not agree that the unique history of Texas is indeed special. When I first began to learn about The Texas and just as importantly, those, who served on her, my imagination re-acted in the same way that it did when I first heard the Alamo story. I have visited where The Texas was built and spent many hours with the men that served on her. The seeds of freedom that were planted at places like Goliad and The Alamo carried forward to places like San Ja-cinto. When the freedom won in these great places, was challenged years later, The Texas and her crew met that challenge. I believe that The Texas and the men who served on her deserve our very best efforts to meet the challenges they now face, to preserve the very images that represent their sacrifice.

Continued on Page 3

Advisory Directors

Hon. James A. Baker, III 61st Secretary of State

ADM. James L. Holloway, III USN (Ret.), Former CNO

Ned S. Holmes Commissioner, Texas

Transportation Commission

Board of Trustees

Anthony K. Gregory, Chairman

Thomas J. Perich, Vice Chairman

Donald H. Fischer, Treasurer

Rey Gonzales, Jr., Secretary

Jimmy Burke

Penny H. Butler

Sylvia R. Garcia

Theodore S. Hirtz

RADM. J. Weldon Koenig,

USN (Ret.)

Michael N. Pearson

CAPT. Clifford H. Royal,

USN (Ret.)

Thomas C. Wright

Bruce D. Bramlett

Execut ive D irector ;

bruce@battleshiptexas.org

TPWD Ship Staff

Andy Smith, Ship Manager

Travis Davis, Maintenance / Restoration

Stephanie Croatt, Curator

Sarah Conlon, Collections Manager

Kandace Trujillo, Overnight Education Director

Page 2

The Battleship Texas could be in line for some much needed funding after the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday voted to allocate $25 million for repairs to the aging vessel. If approved in the final budget, it would mark the second time in eight years that the deteriorating ship parked adjacent to the San Jacinto Battlefield State Historic Site has been the beneficiary of public funds. Texas voters in 2007 approved a $25 million bond pro-posal to help preserve the ship. Andy Smith, Manager of Battleship Texas, said the bond funds already have been utilized, but the ship still has major repair needs vital to maintaining the integrity of the vessel. Smith said the long-term goal of the repairs is to ensure the ship is structurally sound enough to be moved to a dry berth to improve the likelihood of preser-vation. According to Smith, some parts on the ship are en-danger of deteriorating and potentially collapsing if they do not receive repairs – although he said he could not pre-dict the exact timetable. "They've lasted 100 years, could they last a year more? Five years more?" Smith said. "These repairs, they have to be done if we want to save the ship." Bruce Bramlett, executive director of the Battle-ship Texas Foundation, said one danger of waiting to allot funds for repairs is an inevitable increase in the cost of the work. "To me, the biggest issue is that the ship is 101 years old and for a long time there has been a lot of de-ferred maintenance that needs to be done," Bramlett said. "The longer you defer things ... it doesn't get cheaper, it gets more expensive." The battleship, which participated in both world wars and has been docked at the San Jacinto Battleground site as a museum ship since 1948, developed a series of de-bilitating leaks in the summer of 2012. More than $2 mil-lion was spent on repairs. Is it worth another $25M in tax-payer money to preserve the Battleship TEXAS? If you think so please take the time to vote "YES" to show your love for Battleship TEXAS in KHOU's poll. You can vote by going to;

https://www.facebook.com/questions/10153790009769062/?qa_ref=pp.

“Battleship TEXAS Could Gain Repair Funds in Senate Budget”

Story line by Madlin Mekelburg – Houston Chron.com

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Restoration

Currently, a small team of First Texas Volunteers (FTV) is busy working in the Combat Information Center (CIC) to clear away miscella-neous storage, performing some structural restorative work and cleaning and painting as necessary to bring the compartment to exhibition condition. Other teams will be focusing on refinishing the Movie Locker and Post Office, and miscel-laneous painting projects on specific pieces of equip-ment on the Main and Sec-ond Decks.

As mentioned in the last Dreadnought, additional casemate space will be re-stored to their berthing space configuration for use by the Overnight Program.

New FTV Days

The FTV is also establish-ing “FTV Days” to be held on the second Saturday of each month. The idea is that rather than, or more properly, in addition to in-dividuals or small restora-tion and docent teams work-ing aboard ship on some-what irregular schedules, this day will bring all mem-bers together to work in all disciplines. The results for the members should be greater teamwork, expan-sion of skill sets, and in-creased camaraderie. More

importantly, the visitors will see a large staff en-gaged in all aspects of work and have the ability to inter-act with all – learn about work underway and how it fits in the overall restora-tion, engage in conversation with docents and learn more about the ship through their interpretation of ship functions, opera-tional history, equipment and compartments. Hard Hat Tours

The February Hard Hat Tour succeeded in making $2,355.00. Most impor-tantly, all participants re-sponded that they thor-oughly enjoyed the experi-ence. On March 14, the ini-tial Spring Hard Hat Tour was conducted, earning the FTV team $2,500.00.

During these two tours, an alternative “Normandy” tour was also conducted in the afternoon. While the participation was limited, the tours were received with the same enthusiasm by their participants as the standard tour. These tours will continue for the bal-ance of this season, but its future is unclear.

The next Hard Hat Tour is scheduled for ;

Saturday, May 2.

First Texas Volunteers By Don Fischer

Contact the Foundation office

at 713-827-9620 to make reservations.

Axis Posters, WWII

The Directors Chair continued

There can no disputing the fact that those who went before us, often during dif-ficult times, made the sac-rifices necessary to main-tain these great milestones of history. These icons mark the time and remind us all of our history and the sacrifices made for Texas and the nation. They are not just symbols for Texans but they are also national symbols.

“Passing of Captain Charles Alcorn”

It is with sad heart that we announce the passing of Captain Charles Alexander Alcorn. Captain Alcorn of Coppell, formerly of Houston, passed away on March 18, 2015. He was born on Dec 29, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pa. to David Alcorn and Emily Stewart. Charles had two brothers, David Stewart Alcorn and Samuel Alcorn and a sister, Margaret Sarah Alcorn. Charles married Patricia Blanche Mayer on March 29, 1958 in Philadelphia. Together they had two children, Elaine Ruth and Linda Anne. He was blessed with five grandchildren, Donald Alexan-der Storch, Robert Benjamin Storch, Jennifer Elise Storch, Christopher Jason Mays, and Allison Nichole Mays. He also had two great grandchildren, Charles and James McMorris.

He entered college as an accounting student at the University of Pennsylvania but World War II changed his plans. At the urg-ing of his brother, David, he entered Kings Point Maritime Acad-emy at Kings Point New York. The Navy, being short of sailors for WWII, called his entire class of mid-shipmen into service. He served as an ensign and saw service at D-Day aboard a Liberty Ship.

After the war, he saw service in the merchant marine, pro-gressing up to first mate of the SS Independence. He then made Captain and took command of his own vessel. His career plans were changed again by his marriage in 1958. At the urging of his bride, he then "retired" from active sea duty and took a job with McGrath Corporation in the stevedoring industry. In 1968, he accepted a promotion to become vice-president and general manager of the Atlantic & Gulf Stevedores at the Port of Hous-ton. He also served as president of the National Maritime Safety Association working with OSHA to make the shipping industry safer. He also served as Director and later as Chairman of the West Gulf Maritime Association and was involved in many mari-time safety training programs. He was named an honorary Ad-miral of the Texas Navy by Governor of Texas for his service.

He became immersed in Republican politics after moving to Harris County, serving as pre-cinct chairman, election judge, senatorial district chairman. He served as a Texas State dele-gate to the Republican National Convention in 1976. He was an ardent supporter of Congress-man Bill Archer and John Culberson of Houston and US Senators John Tower and Kay Bailey Hutchison and many more Republicans too numerous to mention.

In 1987, he joined the Battleship Texas Foundation and successfully managed a fundrais-ing campaign for the first renovation of the Battleship. He was appointed Chairman of the Bat-tleship Texas Foundation in 2005. As Chairman, he lobbied the Texas Legislature and Gover-nor Rick Perry for more extensive funding to create the permanent berth for the Battleship. He was named Chairman Emeritus of the Battleship Texas Foundation by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett just prior to moving to Coppell in 2011. Gil Raynor, Commander Texas Commandery was quoted to say that “Charles was important to the Commandery and to the maritime and naval community of Houston. We mourn the loss of this fine companion and are thankful for his contributions to the Texas Commandery and his state and nation. His work on the Battleship Texas Foundation has helped preserve an important part of our Naval History.” San Jacinto Bat-tleground/Battleship TEXAS staff extend their deepest sympathy to Captain Alcorn’s family and friends. He was a great man and a great leader and he will truly be missed.

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In the midst of working Spring Break, Easter, and San Jacinto Day, park staff has been making preparations to bring our “Habitats & History Day Camp” back. After offering “Super Saturday” activities in lieu of summer camp last year, we’ve been able to assemble a team of staff members and make plans to offer the popu-lar camp again this year. As in past years, the camp will offer five days of exciting programs, with one day dedicated to teaching campers about the Battle of San Jacinto and one day focused on the Battleship. This year’s programming will also include some discussions and activities about archae-ology on the battlefield and museum work on the battle-ship. The remaining days will offer a mixture of archery, bike riding, fishing, canoeing, and learning about animals and their habitats. We have ar-ranged to have “guest speak-ers” offer their expertise on outdoor skills and habitats on these days. Speakers include the park’s Master Gardeners and TPWD’s Outdoor Family Program. We hope these new elements will add to the camp-ers’ outdoor skills and under-standing of the type of work that goes on in the back-ground at state parks and his-toric sites. After only a couple months of advertising, we’ve managed to fill up all three weeks of camp! We are now putting the final touches on the camp and are looking forward to welcoming our first group of campers on June 8th.

Ship and Overnight Education staff are also gearing up for “grant season.”

Sarah Conlon, Kandace Trujillo, and I are putting our heads together to write a num-ber of grants that will benefit the Over-night Program and ship’s appearance. TPWD will attempt to obtain grants from

the Maritime Heritage Grant program offered by the Na-tional Parks Service. The Mari-time Heritage Program grants money for restoration and edu-cation projects that promote maritime culture and educa-tion. We hope to apply for two grants, one for restoring the Captain’s Cabin and portions of the Superstructure Deck, and one for creating interpre-tive panels for a “macro -artifact” display area called “The Gun Plaza.” The Gun Plaza will present 12-inch and 14-inch shells, a landing gun, and a 1.1-inch anti-aircraft gun mount, and the ship’s propel-ler. These artifacts will be used to tell the ship’s story and place her development into a broader context. Like-wise, the Battleship TEXAS Foundation’s Overnight Educa-tion Program is seeking funds for expanding and improving the facilities for the program on the ship. Kandace will be writing grants to fund the pur-chase and installation of HVAC systems for new berthing

spaces and head space. The OEP will at-tempt to approach local foundations for the funds. Please wish us luck as we en-deavor to pry funds loose to improve the Overnight Program and spruce up parts of the ship and park!

Gearing up for Grant Season and Summer Camp By: Stephanie Croatt

D

A

B

C

A Ship of Many Colors . . .

By Bob Sullivan

Shouldn’t the Texas be a gray color, Bat-tleship Gray ? Many visitors have asked the same question. The answer is that the Bat-tleship Texas has been painted several col-ors during her long career. In her early years she was light gray as in picture A, we see her going through the Panama canal locks (1937) 10 years after her 1927 modifi-cation. The tripod masts are the clue to the time period.

Picture B, is between wars, Still in her light gray colors with a black waterline.

As you can see by this pre North Africa photo picture C, she changed her colors hav-ing been painted with a measure 12, modi-fied scheme, These colors were Sea blue, Ocean gray and Haze gray. The decks were painted with the designated Deck blue. These were her colors in 1941 and 1942.

In 1943 the color scheme was changed to Measure 22. I could not find a picture of this color. See sketch below. Actually it was two colors, Low on the hull it was Navy Blue up to the first continuous deck. It did not swoop up and follow the deck line, but was parallel to the waters edge. This created a Haze Gray “wedge” (note orange) shape at the bow. Every thing above the Navy Blue was painted Haze Grey including the super-structure.

In 1945, picture D, the Texas was re-painted in measure 21, a dark blue similar to the deep Pacific waters she was sailing in. American pilots advised this color because it was so difficult to see from the air.

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Battleship Texas Overnight Education Program

By Kandace Trujillo

We have been busy at the overnight edu-cation program. We hosted 700 campers throughout the months of February and March. The programs eased in April due to Easter and the San Jacinto day festivities. We hosted 240 campers. We are busy in May hosting many school groups as well as scout groups.

We are starting to book reservations well into the summer. For the summer months, the overnight program has a re-duced rate. The rate is $32 per participant from the months of June through September

The overnight program is happy to an-nounce our partnership with the Kemah Boardwalk. Participants of the overnight pro-gram can now get reduced ride passes. The Kemah Boardwalk is home to waterfront res-taurants and an amusement park. Rides in-clude a Ferris wheel and roller coasters.

The OEP’s volunteers are dedicated to providing an educational and fun experience to the campers. In the past couple of months, our volunteer group has grown. We welcome Kyle Brillantes, Ben Looper, and Joe Looper. They are great additions to the group and we are happy to have them as part of our team. We are always looking for new tour guides for our program. If you are interested or want more information please contact Kandace Trujillo at:

overnight@battleshiptexas.org

or (281) 542-0684 the office.

H o w a r d M i l l s P r e s e n t s …

TEXAS crewmember Howard Mills

was out spreading the word about the ship and his experiences last month. Mills gave a presentation to 250 stu-dents at Sherando High School in Stephens City, VA on Tuesday, March 24th.

The school’s history teacher, Mr. Rohrbaugh, asked Mills to give a pres-entation to students. Mills' granddaugh-ter volunteered to help with the presen-tation and run the computer.

Mills reports that the presentation was a great experience and the stu-dents had good questions. The stu-dents also really appreciated the ship brochures Mills handed out.

Bravo Zulu to Mr. Mills for his out-reach efforts and helping to inspire the next generation of ship stewards!!

Howard Mills presents to 250 students at Sherando High School in Virginia, with the help of his granddaughter, Emma Pearson.

Reprinted courtesy of The Scuttlebutt

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In Honor Of

Roy Olan Northcutt Manual Jimenez B.F. Davis CDR Frank J. Whitley

Anthony Carter Robinson Richard Farr Bobby Charles Brians

James Edgar Barrett LTC. Jerome L. Gonzales Jack O'Mara

Joe K. Moore Vernon Lee Graham Jack D. Southworth Roy H. Nelson

Chester Zarnicki John F. Barnes Jr. Morris E. Sawyer Harvey J. Spiller

Charles A. Freeman, Jr. All who wear the uniform James T. Haines

Jim Lamb Charles B. Jackino John J. Marks Charles D. Holland

Clyde Berry O.J Rinehart Noble W. Seaman MM2C Walter A. Heck

Melvin Schultz Louis E. Van Antwerp Billie Burtus Hilliard Bill Flynn

Capt. Alan Ray Bruce Hirshorn Lowell L. Long Elroy Ortego

Brianna Bunge SSG, USAF Lou Mierizejewski Claude Flemming

Capt. R.L. Rainey, USN and LCDR Barbara A. Rainey, USN

Patrick M. Henagan Kevin Ray and Landon Woodruf H.A Caraway, Jr.

PFC Ralph Pinkerton, US Army Robert F. Molen, Jr. Lyle K. Jenks

Col. William S. Bice Milton T. Scales, Sr. Frances O. Hallahan

Howard McGee Cecil (Pete) Bielefeldt Marvin Swango Leon Morris

William Thomas Sellers C. Harold Wallace Clarence Nathanal Flanagan

Dorothy Frances Eastin SM/Sgt. Leon Larison James H. Spencer

W. Jack Dwyer Mack R. Ball, Jr. MC Dan Fraser CR Glover

Daniel Martin Defenders of America Robert Gregory Cronin

Capt. Allison Crain Fred S. Sandman Cdr. Harold A. Schmidt

Garland Hayes Jr. Edward J. Kmiec Morris Demey Randol Gilmore

Charles Wesley Walker, Jr. Winfred McAteer PHM2 Richard Good USNR

Heleen P. May CPL. Max Thornell, USMC Jack Addison Hamilton

Janet and Oliver Starcke Charles C. Ira Anthem Stelleg Robert M. King

Joe W. McHenry Arthur Loukas United States Navy Grover M. Bohannon

Lawrence A. Tippen Arthur T. O'Hara Anthony G. Market

Joel Worley Andrew Krippner Atlee Cunningham, Sr. Philip A. Thimmesh

Arnold Gully and Jim Gallagher Andrew D. Milne Robert H. Esteb, Sr. (USN)

Raymond Baxter Little Lt. Col. John Yauk Earl T. Willis and Donald T. W.

Gerald G. Fintak BB-35 Veterans John Edward Morrow George H. Bethard

Robert F. Olsen James Stalp Martin W. Pikul CW3 Dabney Jay Judy

Battleship Supporters

Jesse Pettey Brice M.Conner Neil R. Zaccagni S. W Etheridge

Charles W. Stanley Lawrence E. Poorman Joe Wayne Davis Donald G. Lee Jr. .

Ricky Spriggs, MAC USN Clyde Williams Jr. Lt. Col. Roy J. White Lloyd Osborn

Wiliam H. Hendricks Adolph Jarolik GM/2 Carolyn Wallace Tom Gillette

John C. Alberts Kermit P. Hayford Oran Hughes Pierce Kellogg

Robert B. Berkley Justin F. Cooper Chadrick Darrah Clarence E. Ebey

Guadalupe R. Cerda Sgt. Leon Larison Lee M. (Tick) Pierce Jack Roberts

T-5 Dominick Golio, Sr. Roland B. Moore, Jr. Edward O'Hara Gene A. Martin

In Honor (continued)

MSgt Daniel Attilio, USMC (Ret) Alice Avila-Huerta CDR James L. Barrett USN (RET)

Curtis Basham Steven G. Bass David Baucom Chris Bennett Steve Bennett

Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Berry Robert D. Caskey Wendell N. Courville Phil Cramer Ronald

J. Crislip Bill C. Davis Stephen E. Duncan Gerald Dunklin E.R Robert Eastin

Ronald L. Ebey James C. Edwards Moses Ellis Melvin Emmons

Larkin W. Etheridge Patricia A. Langa Ann C. Pardee John A. Via

Charles J. Farrow William A. Flanagan John R. Foreman Elaine M. Freeman

Mr. & Mrs. Jerold C. Gallagher Randy Gilmore Dominick R. Golio Ronald W. Gooch

George H. Gould, Jr. Stephen Grogean CDR Alvin W. Hall, Jr. USN (RET)

Thomas C. Hyatt Charles C. Ira Arthur Charles Jackson, Jr. Gerald Kamicka, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Raleigh W. Johnson, Jr. David M. Kettrick James Kmiec

Terry L. Larison Mary C. Lee Julian A. Levy, Jr. John E. Lewis

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Loukas Irvin A. May Barbara McCormick Cyril J. McDermott

Mr. & Mrs. Howard and Nancy Mills Mr. & Mrs. Dud and Melba Morris

Edward Morris Alita I. Morrison Gerald B. Murrell Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Noell

Garry Nelson Urban Obrien Dan Pikul Jerry Pinkerton Don L. Presley

Charles A. Reed Ray Dee Rinehart Richard A. Rutledge Morris E. Sawyer

Vernon Unger Charles R. Seaman Col. John M. Smith William D. Southworth

Betty Jo Spencer Ricky Lee Spriggs Donald E. Stader Robert N. Starcke

William H. Tarlton John and Jean Vilas Mr. & Mrs. Michael F. Wilson

Dr. William J. Wagner Lewis E. Wald, Jr. Lucie Weaver Edward R. White, USN (Ret)

F. Jack Whitley Jr. David Wilcox Jean Williams Earl R. Willis Carey Yauk

James Look In Soo Yo Julio Zaccagni

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Membership Benefits

Individual. $35 Entry level membership entitles Member to receive a free subscription to the BTF quarterly e-mail newsletter “The Dreadnought” and a free subscription to TPWD’s bi-weekly e-mail newsletter “The Battle Report” (if you provide your e-mail address). Family. $ 45 Everything above, plus invitations to San Jacinto Site activities and special events. Supporting $ 150 Everything above, plus one (1) Hard Hat Tour. Benefactor. $ 500 Everything above, plus two (2) Hard Hat Tours Corporate. $2,000 Everything above, plus publication of your firm’s name in “The Dreadnought” and at special events held aboard the TEXAS. USS TEXAS Veterans. $10 Benefits the same as for Individual Member.

Mail to:

BATTLESHIP TEXAS FOUNDATION One Riverway

Suite 2200 Houston, Texas 77056

Phone 713-827-9620

Membership Application

I am pleased to support the USS TEXAS with my membership in the Battleship TEXAS Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization.

Individual $35.00 Family $45.00 Supporting $150.00

Benefactor $500.00 Corporate $2,000.00

USS TEXAS Veteran $10.00

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One Riverway, Suite 2200 Houston, Texas 77056