Battleship Texas to close for repairs next week

LA PORTE, TX -- Battleship Texas will close next week for repairs after the 100-year-old vessel began flooding.

Ship manager Andy Smith tells the Houston Chronicle the ship will remain open to visitors this weekend, but is set to close Monday. The battleship, which fought in World Wars I and II and now serves as a memorial and museum to those who sacrificed their lives, will likely remain closed through June 22.

The battleship developed a leak last weekend that quickly flooded the bilge areas beneath the engine room. Officials said Friday that the battleship was still taking on water, but the amount decreased from about 850 gallons per minute to about 100.

Smith says salvage and dive teams will inspect the hull Saturday to come up with a repair plan.

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