Real battleship gaming

Speaking of dreadnoughts, how about playing wargames on an actual battleship?  A Texas gamer sent a message to several mailing lists providing notice of an upcoming day of gaming on board the flagship of the Texas Navy, the USS Texas (BB-35), the last of the dreadnought-era battleships.

According to the email, Texas BROADSIDE! 2011 will take place Sept. 24, 2011, and will include:

• WWII naval and naval-air wargaming, including some of the battles involving the USS Texas.
• Refighting a naval battle beside a 5-inch 51 caliber naval gun, one of 21 originally carried aboard the Texas in 1914.
• Much like the National WWII Museum has done with Heat of Battle, gaming in a public setting to both help educate the public and grow historical wargaming in Houston.
• Wargaming inside the air conditioned Wardroom and Dreadnought Room on board the Mighty “T”.
• Dining aboard the ship that saw the first at-sea launch of a Sopwith Camel and was the first US ship to control gunfire with directors and range-keepers.
• All proceeds to benefit the ongoing preservation of the USS Texas.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Lone Star State, the Texas is anchored in the Houston Ship Channel at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, also home of the memorial to the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.

This sounds like a cool event.  I don't know if I'll be able to make it, but I will certainly think about attending.  The organizers are looking for sponsors and people to run games, so check out their website and let 'em know if you're interested.

(Obligatory science fiction reference: the USS Texas was featured in a series of books written back in the 1980s about a refurbished battleship with modern (and futuristic) weaponry taking on the Soviet Union as part of a newly independent Texas.  See The Ayes of Texas for more details.)