Fortune Favors the Brave - The Story of the Texas Navy
Introduction | San Felipe: Opening Shots | Privateers | The First Navy | War with Mexico
After San Jacinto | The Second Navy | The Tabasco Incident | The Yucatán Alliance | Mutiny! | Blood Feud |
Back to Yucatán | The Trial of Edwin Moore | Epilogue | Resources & Finding Aids | Bibliography
Organization of the First Navy
The General Council then took up the formation of a navy, initially proposed as two 12-gun and two six-gun schooners. In January and February 1836, Texas purchased the Liberty, Invincible, Independence, and Brutus. This move, along with some other matters, led to a falling out between the provisional governor, Henry Smith, and the Council. The Council removed Governor Smith from office.
Detail from Republic of Texas currency (1838 $50 serial)
Prints and Photographs Collection,
Texas State Library and Archives Commission. #1989/84-15.
Acting governor Henry Smith on the need for a navy, November 1835
Report of the Committee on Naval Affairs, November 1835
Naval Affairs committee report on the purchase of ships from McKinney & Williams,
January 1836
State of the art: Medical supplies purchased for the Invincible,
February 1836
On March 1, the General Convention replaced the Council and took up the work of putting Texas government on a more organized footing. This included the official creation of the navy, the granting to Congress of the right to issue letters of marque and reprisal, and the creation of maritime courts. A committee of naval affairs was created, which in turn commissioned officers in the new Texas Navy.