Gunsight Lodge No. 838 - Battleship Texas Lodge

09/11/2026

09/05/2026

USS Texas Flooded Herself on Purpose to Save the Mission, USS Texas (BB-35) once let seawater into her own hull on purpose, and it may have saved a fire mission.

Nine days after the Normandy landings, on June 15, 1944, Texas received orders to destroy two German fortified positions that had fallen behind the advancing American lines. The targets sat just under twelve miles out, right at the edge of what her fourteen-inch guns could reach that day.

A 1911 international treaty capped how far naval guns could be elevated, and Texas had already hit that limit. Her crew found a workaround. If the barrels could not tilt any higher, the whole ship could.

They flooded the starboard torpedo blister, one of the armored sponsons built into her hull for underwater protection. Seawater poured in, and Texas listed two degrees to starboard. That tilt lifted her port-side guns the extra two degrees they needed. Both targets went down.

Sailors later called it the "Texas Lean." It has become one of the most retold stories from the ship's Normandy service, though it is usually misplaced on D-Day itself rather than more than a week later, once the fighting had already moved inland.

08/18/2026

Monday, August 31st — Get your tickets today!

Join Gunsight Lodge No. 838 for an evening of Masonry, fellowship, fine dining, and meaningful conversation as we gather for our 5th Monday Stated Meeting at Tucker Lodge 297 AF&AM Galveston, Texas and Festive Board at Willie G's on the Strand.

A Masonic Journey Worth Hearing

Our featured speaker, Bro. Drew Moulton, will share his personal Masonic journey from Prince Hall Masonry to the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Bro. Moulton will offer a firsthand perspective on his experiences within both Masonic bodies, the traditions and differences he has encountered, and the lessons he has gained along the way. This promises to be a thoughtful and engaging presentation that will give us an opportunity to learn from a Brother's unique Masonic experience.

And, of course, the evening will include the fellowship and exceptional dining experience that have become hallmarks of Gunsight Lodge.

Every ticket purchased helps support the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the Battleship Texas. Your attendance directly supports the mission for which Gunsight Lodge No. 838 was established.

Bring a Brother. Invite a friend. Fill a table.

🎟️ Get your tickets today:
https://battleshiptexasgunsightlodge.org/festive-board

Monday, August 31st
Gunsight Lodge No. 838

This is one Festive Board you won't want to miss.

Stated Meetings - Fifth Monday of the Month Mon., Dec. 29 | March 30 | Mon., June 29 | Mon., Aug. 31 | Mon., Nov. 29

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

06/06/2026

In June 1944, the USS Texas (BB-35) and the British cruiser HMS Glasgow entered the Omaha Beach western fire support lane, near Pointe du Hoc. She was one of 702 ships in the US-British flotilla, and one of just seven battleships.

On the morning of June 6th, the Mighty Texas began firing 14-inch shells in support of the 29th Infantry Division and the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions. Within a span of just 34 minutes, she’d fired 255 shells. Texas then shifted her focus to more inland targets as the Allies moved from the landing beaches. Just 2,700 meters from shore, the battleship continued to bombard German positions throughout June 7-8.

After briefly returning to England, Texas arrived back in Normandy on June 15. By then, the Allied forces had already pushed farther inland and out of her range; the ship’s large guns couldn’t aim high enough to launch shells where they were needed. As fire missions continued to be requested, the crew needed to think outside the box. If the port side guns couldn’t be raised any further, then the starboard side needed to be lowered.

To lower the starboard side, the crew intentionally flooded the torpedo blister, lowering Texas an extra two degrees into the water. This was just the right angle for the battleship’s guns to fire accurately and complete the mission. Most vessels would never voluntarily flood part of their hull, but this daring move embodied the spirit the Allied forces showed at Normandy, which allowed for the operation to be victorious.

02/18/2026

ATTENTION BRETHREN:
All Master Masons in Good Standing with the Grand Lodge of Texas are invited to please join us for our Stated Meeting on Monday, March 30th, 2026. The meeting begins at 6:30PM in the Egyptian Room at the Galveston Scottish Rite Temple.
*ALL ATTENDING THE FESTIVE BOARD MUST PURCHASE A TICKET;
LAST DAY TO PURCHASE A TICKET IS MARCH 23rd. OUR CATERER MUST HAVE THE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES 1 WEEK PRIOR. Thank you all for understanding.
Our Festive Board will be a catered meal following the meeting in the dining area of the Scottish Rite Temple, and the wonderful Members of La Marque Chapter #979 Order of the Eastern Star will be providing our desserts.
We hope you can join us!

Link for dinner tickets is: https://battleshiptexasgunsightlodge.org/festive-board