Battleship Texas will be relocated from San Jacinto site

The USS Texas is more than 100 years old and saw action in both world wars. Its rusting hull is paper-thin in some places, leading to its move. >>PHOTOS: The USS Texas in its prime The USS Texas is more than 100 years old and saw action in both world wars. Its rusting hull is paper-thin in some places, leading to its move. >>PHOTOS: The USS Texas in its prime Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 42 Caption Close Battleship Texas will be relocated from San Jacinto site 1 / 42 Back to Gallery

The Battleship Texas will move from its historic site at the San Jacinto Battleground near La Porte, the head of the nonprofit that oversees the vessel said Wednesday.

Bruce Bramlett, the executive director of the Battleship Texas Foundation, said a new site would provide more visitors and revenue. About 80,000 paid visitors per year visit the ship at the battleground, generating about $1.2 million in revenue, Bramlett said.

"It's a losing proposition and frankly the state is tired of pouring money into it," said Bramlett. "It needs to be somewhere where it's going to track four or five times that many people."

It is unclear where the battleship, which has been at the battleground site for more than 70 years, will go. Bramlett said it was too early to speculate, but he said the ship would go to a site that Houstonians could visit fairly easily.

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"If it stays there, it's going to die there," Bramlett said of the east Harris County site. "It just doesn't work financially. It hasn't worked in years."

State Rep. John Cyrier, R-Lockhart, recently suggested the battleship be moved to Galveston. The idea attracted some opposition.

"I would really hate to see it moved," said La Porte's mayor, Louis Rigby, who grew up in the area and has been visiting Battleship Texas since he was a boy. "It's a part of Texas history just as much as the Alamo is."

Cyrier said moving the battleship to Galveston, which has a larger tourist industry, would provide more visitors and could help pay for maintenance costs.

Cyrier, R-Lockhart, is one of the House sponsors of Senate Bill 1511, which will provide the battleship with a new caretaker and send it to Alabama temporarily for repairs. The bill is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature.

"I think everybody that looks at this, if they look at the numbers and look at the reasoning on bringing it to Galveston, I think they'll realize that's the best option to save this battleship," said Cyrier.

Bramlett said he understands the emotional appeal of keeping the ship at its original site, but said moving it will be a better financial decision.

"Sometimes in order to get what's best, you gotta relocate," said Bramlett. "Sadly, it's the same situation with the ship. It's all about location and this one doesn't work."

Staff writer John Tedesco contributed to this report.