USS TEXAS (BB-35) Part II

Swab Rack - Main Deck

Bakery - Main Deck

Abattoir - Main Deck

Galley - Main Deck

Throughout the ship, the volunteers have done a remarkable job of preservation and restoration, considering limited funding.

As I recall, the swab racks aboard USS Callaghan (DDG-994) and USS Leahy (CG-16) were not all that different considering the 35 year time lapse between Texas' decommissioning and my joining the fleet.

The ship's bakery reminded me of our night baker in Leahy. We'd get up for the mid-watch, and he would have these bear claws that were just out of this world. I expect he has a restaurant somewhere! Fresh bread at sea is the best.

The abattoir (butcher shop) is one thing we didn't have. I would imagine that's due to advances in refrigeration, combined with space limitations on our ships.

The galley stoves on the main deck are interesting because it appears that they'll run on coal, wood, gas, or whatever else comes to hand. The dumbwaiter (visible to the right of the photo) goes to the main galley on the first (DC) deck.

All of the spaces in this installment are located on the 01 level topsides. The galley is amidships just forward of the main battery (Turret III) The after portion of the galley has light shell plating which can be raised to create an open-air kitchen. This would have been important before air conditioning!
These spaces are important to show that a ship is a home, not just a floating gun battery.