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If the Mexicans had controlled
the Gulf of Mexico and completely blockaded the Texas coast, it
is very unlikely that the move for independence in Texas would have
been successful. In November of 1835 the General Council formed
the Texas Navy, purchasing the first ships: the Independence,
Brutus, Liberty and Invincible.
Evidently, these ships flew both the Alamo flag and a new design
created by Charles Hawkins, who was later appointed as the first
Senior Captain and as Commodore of the Texas Navy. Hawkins' design
was approved by President Burnet in April of 1836, and ratified
by the First Congress of the Republic that December. In addition
to protecting the Texas coast, the navy also seized Mexican ships
and sent their cargoes to the aid of the Texas volunteers.
Open hostilities at sea continued intermittently throughout
the years of the republic, and in 1839 the Texans commissioned six
fine new ships. With the new fleet, the Texans were able to put
pressure on the Mexican government by sinking and capturing their
vessels, attacking the coast, and stopping foreign ships headed
for Mexico.
The Texas flag was raised briefly over Cozumel, and three Texas
ships sailed 70 miles up the Tabasco River to San Juan Bautista,
where the astounded citizens paid $25,000 to prevent the destruction
of the city. The Texas Navy's victory in 1843 over superior Mexican
forces at Campeche is distinguished as the only time sailing ships
defeated steam-powered craft in a major sea battle.
See the Flag
Size and Pricing Guide...
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