Southwest Chapter
Fall 2008 World War One Seminar

Saturday, November 1, 2007

Aboard the USS Texas
San Jacinto State Park

Schematic Cross-Section, USS Texas

An Invitation

The Southwest Chapter of the Western Front Association will hold its 2008 Seminar this year on board the old Dreadnought, the USS Texas, on Saturday, November 1. This date will put us on board 90 years to the month after the USS Texas helped escort the captured German High Seas Fleet into eventual internment at Scapa Flow, Scotland.

Space is somewhat limited since the wardroom (i.e. conference room) holds about 35 people. Also, since she's an old ship, there may be some narrow ladders and gangways to negotiate on the tour. Registration fee, which includes lunch and tour, is $35. A list of nearby hotels is available. You may wish to combine a visit to NASA's nearby Johnson Manned Space Craft Center.

Our Program

8:30-9:00 AM     Registration 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM     Presentations Welcome by Dr. David Beer, WFA-Southwest Chapter President Preliminary Remarks by Dr. James Thomas, Seminar Chairman The Rise and Fall of the American Dreadnought Clark Shilling, WWI Historian The U.S. Navy's Contributions to Allied Victory in WWI Professor James Bradford, Texas A&M The Career of the USS Texas in World War One Ambassador Len Shurtleff, Former President, WFA-US Branch The Internment of Germany's Fleet and the Grand Scuttle Prof David F. Beer, University of Texas, Austin 1:00-2:00 PM     Lunch (provided) 2:00-4:00 PM     Conducted "behind the scenes" tour of the USS Texas by trained ship's docent 4:00-??PM     Brief meeting of WFA-SW Chapter and conclusion.

The USS Texas Today

Registration and Program Contributions You are invited to propose a presentation for the Seminar. More information is available from the Seminar Chairman, james.thomas@hccs.edu or from the Southwest Chapter Chair, dbeer@mail.utexas.edu Directions and Map at: Visiting the USS Texas