The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-02-15
Sailors Who Fought in the Tex
as Navy Are to Have
a Monument.
NAVAL FORCE SMALL ONE
IT WAS COMPOSED OF THREE
SMALL SAILING VESSELS BUT
THEY RENDERED GREAT sERv-
ICE TO REPUBLIC.

San Antonio, Tex. Feb. 15.-That
the republic of Texas had fullfledg-
ed navy in her days is not generally
known and for this reason it may be
of interest to note that a movement
about to be started may result in the
near future in the erection of mon
ument that will fittingly commemOr-
ate the fame of the men who guided
IT'S destinies during the few years of
it's existance.
Three small sailing vessels COM
posed the first navy of the republic OF
Texas. They were the 1nvincible, Cap
tain Brown: the Brutus, Captain Hurd
and the Independence, Captain Hawk
ms. The organization of this naval
force had been effected during the
years 1856 and for that reason it
had an opportunity to take part in the
Texas war Of independence. During
April, 1886, the Invincible went on
a cruise off Brazos de Santiago and
falling in with the Mexican frigate
Montezuma in command of Captain
Thomas, had a set-to lasting two
hours which resulted in the Mexican
man-of-war being driven ashort and
left in sinking condition. So bad
was the fire of the enemy that the
only injury the Invincible received
was in her rigging. This was hasti-
ly repaired, and another vessel having
come into sight chase was given. This
vessel proved to be the brig Pocket
from New Orleans to Matamoras and
1reighted with provisions for the Mex
lean army. The Pocket was captured
and taken into Galveston as prize.
Fought Two Mexicans.
Although the battle of San Jacinto
put an end to all hostilities on land,
the Mexican navy continued for some
time to modest Texan shipping. In
April, 1887, the Champion, a vessel
carrying provisions and ammunition
of war for the Texan army, was inter-
cepted and captured by a. Mexican
man-of-war. The julius Caesar, with
a cargo worth $4,000 was also taken
shortly afterwards. and SO was the
Independence. Texas schooner hav-
ing aboard crew of 81 men and sew
eral passengers, among the latter,
William II. Whatton, who was return
ing from his mission to the United
States government, which he had ask
cd for the recognition of the Texas
republic. Two Mexican war sloops
met the independence at VelascO and
after a severe engagement overpower-
ed her.
h ich n InI lrfs art
of the Mexican government caused
the Texas government to adopt a pol
icy of reprisal. On May 10, 1887, the
Texas navy set sail for the coast OF
Mexico, and after taking two small
prizes en- route, bOmbarded the town
of Sisal in Yucatan. Returning the
lnvincible captured the Mexican eigh
ty ton vessel. Alispa, and the Brutus
took the Telegram. a small vessel lad
en- with a very rich cargo. Nine
towns along the Mexican coast were
burned by the Texas sailors, and OF
course, looted.
An Inglorious Finish.
Both the Invincible and the Brutus
met a rather inglorious end. Return
Ing from lOIdy III Ile HulI Will
some prizes, the Invincible found II
impossible to get over the bar at Gal
weston harbor and had to seek an
chorage outside. Next morning, Aug
ust 26. two Mexican briggs of wal
showed in the offing and began to at
tack the Invincible. The Brutus
rushing to the assistance of the In
vincible, run aground, thus leaving
the latter to fight it out alone. All
day long the fight ragged, but wher
night came the Invincible was aban
doned by its crew and left to batter
itself to pieces ON the breakers.
With these two vessels gone there
was practically no navy left the Tex
ans. In November of the same veal
the congress Of Texas authorized
Samuel Williams to contract for an
other navy. Baltimore navy yards
were the successful bidders. The con
tractors were to build one ship, two
brigs. and three schooners. fully arm
ed and munitioned. In June, 1889
the vessels arrived at Galveston; they
were the San Jacinto, San Antonio