Battleship Texas closed until further notice, crews working to repair leaks

The Battleship Texas, permanently docked near the San Jacinto Monument, in 1998. (Paul S. Howell / Houston Chronicle) The Battleship Texas, permanently docked near the San Jacinto Monument, in 1998. (Paul S. Howell / Houston Chronicle) Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Battleship Texas closed until further notice, crews working to repair leaks 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

Battleship Texas faces one of its most challenging conflicts to date – staying afloat as old age and decay chip away at its supports. Officials say the current crisis further exhausts any time they have remaining to save the ship from being entrenched in Buffalo Bayou.

On Sunday, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials closed Battleship Texas after emergency crews reported a leak in the ship about 8 to 10 inches wide.

Water gushing into the ship has caused it to tilt to one side.

There’s no word yet on when the exhibit will reopen or what caused the leak, but the ship is no stranger to such conditions. Officials liken the current leak to an outbreak of leaks in 2012 that forced park officials to close the museum for three months.

That year crews rushed to patch more than 90 leaks and spent more than $2 million to save the vessel.

The ship’s dire situation has caught the attention of state officials who have unsuccessfully pleaded with the U.S. Congress to help with rehabilitation costs. The long-term plan is to take the ship out of the water.

At 105 years old, the battleship's supports under the engines are deteriorating, causing the vessel to leak periodically.

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“This is a fight between water and steel and water always wins that fight,” said Bruce Bramlett, Battleship Texas Foundation executive direction. “Hopefully, this is the wake up call we need to stop spending money on patch jobs and water pumps and to focus on getting her out of the water.”

But plans to repair the ship and exhibit it in an out-of-water setting were put on hold after officials of the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, which operates the vessel, learned the undertaking would cost approximately $70 million.

Battleship Texas has a long history of dealing with leaks.

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In 2010 the battleship, which has been moored at the San Jacinto Battleground since 1948, underwent emergency repairs and pumping to prevent it from sinking.

In 2012, millions were spent to pump water out of the ship and to patch a series of debilitating leaks. At that time, the ship was closed for about three months, Bramlett said.



In 2013 park crews discovered about four fist-sized leaks throughout the course of the year. Following those leaks, in 2014, the Texas Park and Wildlife documents show the battleship underwent ultrasonic testing and corrosion analyses.



The engineering firm that conducted the analyses concluded that the battleship contained corroding "hot spots" and concluded that the ship's protective coating system needs to be replaced it the ship is to remain in its current berth at the Battleship Basin.

This story is developing.