Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-14
OLD BATILESH|P TEXAS
At BOTTOM OF THE BAY
Famous Vessel, Built at Great
Expense, Destined for
Junk Heap.

To be sold as junk will be the ignoble
fate of the San Marcos, formerly the
battleship Texas, which has been riddled
with shell and sent to the bottom of
Chesapeake bay by her newer and
stronger fellow-men-o f-war. That de-
cision was reached by the naval authori-
ties following the receipt of a report
that the destruction of the old ship Is
complete. Since the final firing by the
'dreadnought Delaware there is not
enough left of her above water to afford
"a target.
Built at Norfolk.
The San Marcos was the first fully
armored vessel to be rated as battle
ship in the United States Navy. She was
built at the Norfolk navy yard by Naval
Constructor Francis J. Bowles from
plans procured by Secretary Whitney
from abroad, as a result OF compe-
tition of naval architects The designer
was a Mr.. Johns, an Englishman, whose
plans were selected by the first naval
advisory board, headed by Rear Admiral
John G. Walker.
The ship was constructed with great
difficulty at an enormous expenditure OF
time and money The Norfolk navy yard
modern steel ships and 1t was necessary
to completely equip the yard and even
build launching slips before the actual
construction Of the Texas could be under
taken. Great difficulty also was expert
enced in securing American steel of the
proper tensile strength.
Three Years on the Ways.
But finally all these difficulties were
4f chit
laid in January, 1889. She was three years
on the ways, during which time her plans
were modified essentially, one important
modification being the frightening OF the
ship when it was discovered that she
would probably not float II built accord
ing to the original plans.
From the first the Texas was an un.
lucky ship. being in collisions, sinking al
her dock, collapsing in dry dock and gen
orally acquiring a reputation which justi
fed In a measure her designation by blue
jackets as 1.-The hoodoo Of the navy"
But all of that was redeemed by the
splendid performance Of the Texas in tn.
naval battle of Santiago. 1t is true thai
she began that engagement by narrowl!
escaping collision with the Brooklyn. but
she soon Strengthened out and, under
command of Capt. Philip. took an active
part in the destruction Of the Spanish
fleet
Out Of Date as Battleship.
The Texas soon proved to be out o.
date as a battleship. being too small
underpowered and with inferior turre
| mechanism. She was retired from ACTIVE
| service July s, 1906. and her latest em
ployment was as q receiving ship at TIL
Charleston. S. c., navy yard.
| Her name was changed to the Sal
Marcos a few months ago in order t
enable the state Of Texas to be repre-
| sented OH the active list of the navy b.
! the splendid battleship now being con
| structed
The San Marcos was a vessel Of $3.50
| tons displacement; 201 feet inches II
length, 81 feet 1 inch in breadth with
| mean draft Of 221s feet She carried tw
| twelve-inch rifles, one in each turret, an
six Six-inch guns. Her armor belt tapere
| from II inches at the top to inches a
the bottom: her turrets were Il inche
thick and she had two-inch protective
deck. Her original cost was 81, 900.