LaPorte, TX - (KHOU-CBS) - Crews are working around the clock to keep a historic battleship from sinking. The Battleship Texas started taking on too much water and is now leaning to one side. The historic ship is one of only six remaining that served in both World Wars.
The battle is on to save the 100 year old Battleship Texas. "We know we have a leak. We don't know exactly where and we don't know to what extent," says a Texas Parks worker.
State Parks workers first noticed water coming in on Saturday. By Monday, the ship started to list.
"It hurts because we've had too many opportunities to fix it correct, and we haven't done it yet," says Retired Marine Jimmy Gonzales. Gonzales is among the volunteers, working day and night to get the leak fixed.
They estimate 800 gallons of water are pouring in every minute. In the hull, pumps work overtime trying to keep up with what comes in. Before they can get the water out of this ship and patch up those holes, they first have to get rid of thousands of gallons of old oil that has leaked to the bottom of the boat. They brought in giant hoses to try and pump the stuff out.
There is a multi-million dollar long term plan to fix up the ship and stop leaks permanently.
But right now -- there's no money for that in the budget. "It just hurts my heart, that we put up all these efforts to save old houses, trees, you know with a history which is great, but this battleship here, well you look at it -- it represents something that we should be proud of."
After surviving World Wars I and II -- folks here hope the Battleship Texas survives this.
The ship manager hopes this is all fixed this week.
