The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-01-16
GALVESTON MAY
GET BATTLESH|P
EFFORT is MADE TO CONVERT
WARSHlP INTO SCHOOL FOR IN
CORRIGIBlE OF STATE.

Galveston, Texas, Jan. ia move
ment is now on foot to have the
United States battlesnip Texas sta
toned permanently in Galveston
harbor. The movement has the
hearty approval of number of prom
inent Galvestonians, and the project
seems destined to be pushed forward
with energy. 1t will be remem-
bered that in recent Washington
dispatch it was stated that the
possibility existed that the Texas
would never live to be rechristened
the San Marcos. The rechristening
was announced by Secretary of the
Navy Meyer in response to a sugges-
tion from Representative Burleson
However, it was stated that the navy
department had under consideration
the proposal to dismantle the vessel
and turn her into target. In such
an event, it was possible that the
Texas would share the fate of the
old monitor Puritan. now lying in
the mud of Hampton Roads, sunk by
an experimental discharge of nitro
glycerin. 1t was announced that the
naval experts wanted to use the old
battleship at the Indian Head prov
ing grounds on the Potomac River.
This announcement caused con
siderable comment among business
men in Galveston and it was believed
that better use could be found for
of the state than that of sinking her
as an experiment. After several dis
cussions had been held, it was de-
cided to enlist the assistance of Col
Walter Gresham, who is about to
leave for Washington, and who could
get in touch with Representative
Gregg of Texas. Col. Gresham, when
approached, stated that while he had
personally given the matter little
thought, from his Sigh. knowledge
of conditions and what he had been
informed of the wishes of the busi-
clined to look favorably upon the
proposition. He stated that he would
be glad to arrange conference with
those interested in the project and
thoroughly sift the matter before he
left for Washington. This confer
ence is now being arranged and is to
be held within the next few days.
Mayor Lewis Fisher, when ques
toned in regard to his opinion of the
proposition to station the Texas in
Galveston harbor, expressed himself
as heartily in favor of the project.
Il would be glad to see the battle
ship here" said the mayor, "and
there are many others in the city
who would like to see the plan car
ried out. My idea of the true utility
of stationing the vessel here, instead
of blowing her out of the water as an
experiment, would be to convert the
old battleship into a training school
for incorrigible boys. This pan of
putting this class of boys under naval
discipline has been tried along the
Northern seacoast and has proved
most effiCacious. AS matters now
stand in Texas, these boys are sent
to jails and penitentiaries, and when
they are released have no special
training, going back easily to their
old ways. The Texas could be sta
toned in the harbor and the boys
could be placed under naval disci-
pine during their term. 1t would
benet them, provide an institution
not at present existing in Texas, and
add an interesting feature to our
harbor that would be appreciated by
visitors"
The Texas, which classes as a bat !
tleship, has a displacement of 6,315 |
tons. Her keel was laid in 1889 Her
engines generate S,5O7 horsepower,
her speed being II knots an hour |
The cost of construction was s4,2O2,-
121, and her armament consists of |
two Pinch rifles, six 6-pounder |
rapid-fire guns, and four 1-pounder |
rapid-fire guns, besides several Colts |