DIVE INTO HISTORY!

This account book, diary, and log belonged to the Quarter Master 2nd Class aboard the USS Stewart (DD-13) in 1917. USS Stewart (DD-13) was the first USS Stewart commissioned by the US Navy and named after Rear Admiral Charles Stewart, who commanded the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.

At the Galveston Naval Museum, we’re carefully staging three officer quarters in Officer's Country on the USS Stewart to give visitors a glimpse into the daily routines of WWII naval leadership.

This collection piece is a necklace that was made to display USS Cavalla’s (SS 244) insignia. USS Cavalla was named after a Caribbean fish (Caranx hippos), which is pictured wearing a sombrero and holding a torpedo. The initial design was drawn by Yeoman P. Rizelli and was approved by the Skipper, LCDR H. Kossler, in January 1944 before Cavalla’s commissioning. The design used in the necklace was the design of Cavalla’s symbol until it was redesigned in 1951.

This gyroscope would have been installed inside a Mark 12 Torpedo as the guidance system, keeping the torpedo on course for its target. Mark 12 Torpedoes were launched from Destroyers from 1928-1945, and only about 200 were ever made. These torpedoes were 22 feet 7 inches long, had a diameter of 21 inches, and weighed 3,505 lbs.

This cigarette box recently entered our collection. It belonged to a sailor who had a 26-year Navy career and who spent the late 50s and early 60s assigned to the USS Galveston. Read More!

Zeke Zellmer's Correspondence from the USS Cavalla

Learn about the USS Stewart, an Edsall-class Destroyer Escort that became a crucial part of WWII transport.

Learn about the USS Cavalla SS 244, a Gato-class submarine that became the avenger of Pearl Harbor!

Learn about the USS Tautog, a Sturgeon-class submarine that served during the Cold War.

Learn about the Taffy 3, one of three task units in the U.S. Navy during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, played a pivotal role in protecting the invasion fleet and supporting U.S. forces in the Philippines.

By Julianna Salinas Our spring work week is a time of great excitement as we welcomed the Louisiana Sea Cadets to volunteer with us! Among them was Lettie Lee, a devoted mother and dedicated volunteer with the Sea Cadets, who played a pivotal role in making this trip possible. Lettie, along with her son, has been a part of the Louisiana Sea Cadets for many years, embodying the spirit of generosity by continuously extending a helping hand to those in need. When asked about the

by Andrew W. Hall (Image on the left, Herman Kossler on Cavalla‘s bridge, 1944. Photo: Harry “Bus” Engler, via Cavalla.org .) Wilfred J. “Jasper” Holmes was a U.S. Naval intelligence officer in Hawai’i during World War II. He was assigned to the Estimates Section of the Fleet Radio Unit Pacific (FRUPAC) at Pearl Harbor, where he was deeply involved in the interpretation and analysis of Japanese wireless intercepts. In fact, he was one of a handful of officers in Hawai’i who

By Brian Abugel The Spring 2024 Volunteer work week is now behind us and I am thrilled to see the volume and quality of work that our fantastic volunteers have been able to accomplish in only seven days. The most visually striking work accomplishment was applying “War Paint” to USS Stewart. Even as I was tracing the layout and taping off sections of the ship to be painted, the most common questions I received were “What are you doing and why are you doing it?” The sim

Written by David Anderson The USS Cavalla sits quietly at waters edge, bow pointed to seaward, as hundreds of boats and ships pass in front of her every year. She’s retired and resting, earning that privilege after more than 20 years of service to her country. Last year, over 60,000 people trod her deck and walked her inner passageway, marveling at the complexity of her machinery and the electronics crammed into unbelievably tight quarters. A docent can walk through and descr

Interview with Mike Pestorius

Chairman's Letter 2023

Bullock Texas State Museum exhibit

Veterans Day Ceremony 2023

Ghost Tours with Spooky Galveston