The Texas Navy

Did you know that the Texas Navy really Existed?

The Texas Navy was commissioned in March 1839 to protect allied merchant ships and to raid the coast of the Centralist Republic of Mexico. 

First Texan Navy Ships: 

• Schooners: Brutus, Invincible, Liberty, and Louisville

Second Texan Navy Ships: 

• Sloop-of-wars: Austin (Flagship)

• Schooners: San Antonio, San Jacinto, and Louisville

• Brigs: Potomac, Wharton, and Archer

• Steamers: Zavala

The Battle of Campeche

The Battle of Campeche is, perhaps, the most known battle in the history of the Texas Navy. The Austin and the Wharton, along with the Yucatecan Navy, defeated two Men-Of-Wars of the Mexican Navy.

It was the first time in history that sailing ships destroyed steam ships.

It happened on April 30, 1843.

The Montezuma and the Guadalupe  were defeated in this clash.

Commodore Edwin Ward Moore is often called "the unsung hero of Campeche" because he commanded the Austin, the flagship. Commodore Moore's skill and tactics earned Texas one of the greatest sea victories.

Above: Commodore Edwin Moore's portrait 

Where do I go to learn about the forgotten Texas Navy?

• The Texas Maritime Museum is the best place to start, with many exhibits on the start to the finish of the navy's life. It also exhibits many models of the warships and even the propeller from the Zavalla. 

• At the USS Lexington Museum on-the-bay, hidden in the underbelly of the ship, there is an entire exhibit dedicated to the lives and work of the sailors, the ships, and the Navy itself.