Battleship Texas completes journey to Galveston for $35 million restoration project: 'I didn't think I’d ever see a day like this'

The Battleship Texas safely concluded its journey from the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte on Wednesday to a temporary dry dock in Galveston where it’ll undergo $35 million worth of much-needed repairs, Houston-based media outlets reported.

A group of tugboats accompanied the century-old dreadnought as it slowly sailed down Galveston Bay, with curious onlookers gathered at various points from Sylvan Beach to Pelican Island to catch a glimpse of it.

According to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, 100-year-old Julio Zaccagni was among the spectators.

“I didn't think I’d ever see a day like this,” Zaccagni, who served on the battleship during World War II, said, the station reported. “It's quite rewarding to me."

The veteran was joined by his son Dan, who told KHOU that he visited the U.S.S. Texas since the age of four.

"It's great they're going to restore this ship because it's in really bad shape,” the younger Zaccagni said, per KHOU. “So we're really happy to see them doing this.”

Houston FOX affiliate KRIV reported that the warship arrived to favorable conditions, a water cannon salute, and an admiring public in Galveston at around 3 p.m.

Battleship Texas Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Gregory touted the U.S.S. Texas’ legendary uniqueness.

"At the time she was built she was the No. 1 battleship weapon in the world . . . It’s the only surviving battleship from World War I and World War II,” Gregory told KRIV.

According to Houston Daily, the dreadnought last hosted the public at San Jacinto in March.

The Battleship Texas Foundation said the U.S.S. Texas was commissioned in 1914 and served the country for 30 years, the publication reported citing Houston NBC affiliate KPRC.

Following its 1948 decommission, the battleship settled near the site of the decisive victory over Mexico in the Texas Revolution of 1836 and hosted tens of thousands of visitors until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where the U.S.S. Texas will reside permanently after its multi-million dollar restoration is anyone’s guess.

"Her new home port has not yet been decided, though multiple interested parties have submitted proposals, all within or near the Greater Houston Area," the Battleship Texas Foundation said.