Captain Victor Blue and his navigator became confused by shore lights near the entrance to Long Island Sound while also worrying about a minefield. Texas turned at the wrong time and ran aground from the bow to a point abaft amidships. The extent of the grounding implies substantial speed in waters where uncertainty should have encouraged caution. Repairs returned the ship to service, but the incident is a useful case in command judgment and navigation discipline.
Notable Point · 27:49-30:06
A grounding exposed the cost of uncertain navigation
Texas's 1917 grounding near Long Island Sound illustrates how speed, uncertain shore lights, and fear of a minefield can compound a navigation error.