The Texas Navy

Texian Navy 1835-1837 and Navy of the Republic of Texas 1839-1846

Texian Navy 1835-1837

The Texian Navy, also known as the First Texas Navy, was the naval branch of the Texian forces during the Texas Revolution. Before the Texian Navy was established, the rebelling Texans hired privateers to fend off the Mexican Naval forces until four vessels could be purchased. The four original vessels were acquired in New Orleans, fitted with cannons, and sent to the Texas Coastline. Named Liberty, Brutus, Invincible, and Independence became the Texian Armada. 

Established in 1835, this Naval force and Texian Army helped the Republic of Texas win independence from the Centralist Republic of Mexico in 1836. The objectives of this ocean-going fleet were to defend the Texas coastline from a Mexican invasion, disrupt Mexican Blockades and escort rebel ships with volunteers and supplies between Texas and the United States. The Texian Navy successfully fended off the Mexican Navy long enough to keep General Santa Ana's ground force from resupplying along the coast before the Battle of San Jacinto. 

After the Texans had won independence in April of 1836, Mexican invasion and naval operation were a genuine threat to the Republic of Texas. Texas needed cash desperately, so Liberty was sold. In the spring of 1837, The Independence was captured at the mouth of the Brazos River, and the Mexican Navy sent a blockade party to Galveston. The Texian Navy's final battle was fought in August of 1837. The Invincible and the Brutus returned to Galveston after capturing a group of Mexican vessels. Upon arrival at Galveston, The Battle of Galveston Harbor was initiated. The Mexican Navy chased the Invincible until she ran aground and was abandoned. Brutus was wrecked and sank. After 2 years of dedicated service, the last two Texian Navy vessels were destroyed. 

Despite the significant efforts put forth by the Texas Navy during the Texas Revolution and defense of the Republic, President Sam Houston denied land grants to navy veterans in 1842.

The Navy of the Republic of Texas, The Texas Navy, or the Second Texas Navy 1839-1846

In 1836, the Congress of the Republic of Texas passed a bill for $135,000 to expand the Texian Navy with four additional ships. This bill was signed by President Sam Houston, but no further action was taken. After the loss of the entire Texian Navy in 1837 and Mexican military operations focused on recapturing Texas, a bill was passed for $280,000 for six Naval Vessels to be recommissioned for the Republic of Texas. The Navy of the Republic was born in March of 1839 with one vessel to begin operations, the Zavala. For three years, the Texas Navy applied naval pressure to the Mexican coast and kept the Mexican fleet focused on defending their own coastline.

In 1843, The rebellious Mexican State of Yucatan joined alongside the Texas Navy and engaged Mexican forces. The Zavala, the first steamship used for naval purposes in North America, the Archer and Potomac, the San Jacinto, San Antonio, and the San Bernard, served as the Naval Forces of the Republic of Texas. 

When Texas officially joined the United States in 1846, the Texas Navy merged with the United States Navy.