The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1910-04-03
ERECT MONUMENT To
TEXAS NAVAL HEROES
Movement TO Commemorate the
Fame of Men Who Guided
Texan DeStInies.

SAN ANTONIO. Texas, March IL
That the Republic of Texas had a full
fedged navy in her day is not generally
known, and for this reason it may be
of interest 70 note that a movement
about to be started may result in the
near future in the erection of monu-
ment that will fttingIy commemorate
the fame of the men who guided its
destinies during the few years of its
existence.
Three small sailing vessels composed
the first navy of the Republic of
Texas They were the Invincible, Cap
tain Brown; the Brutus, Captain Hurd,
and the Independence, Captain Haw-
kins. The organization of this naval
force had been effected during the
years 1886, and for that reason it
had an opportunity to take part III the
Texas war of independence. During
April, 1886, the Invincible went on a
cruise off Brazos de Santiago, and fall
ing in with the Mexican frigate Monte
yuma. in command Of Captain Thomas,
had set-to lasting two hours, which
resulted in the Mexican man-of-war be-
inc driven ashore and left in a sink
inc condition SO bad was the fire Of
the enemy that the only injury the In
vincible received was in her rigging
This was hastily 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 freighted with provl-
sions for the Mexican army. The Pocket
was captured and taken into Galveston
as prize.
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. 1897. the Champion, vessel ear
rving provisions and munitions of wal
for the Texan army, was intercepted
and captured by Mexican man of-war
The Julius Caesar, with a cargo worth
100000, was also taken shortly after
ward. and so was the Independence, a
Texas schooner, having aboard crew
of thirtv-one men and several passen-
gers. among the latter William H.
Wharton, who was returning from MS
mission to the United States govern
ment. which he had asked for the recog-
milton of the Texas Republic Two
Mexican war sloops met the Independ,
ence at Eelasco and after a severe en-
gagement overpowered her.
These highhanded acts on the part OF
the Mexican government caused the
Texas government TO adopt policy
of reprisal On May 10, 1897, the Texas
navy set sail for the coast Of Mexico
and after taking two small prizes en-
route hombarded the town of Sisal, in
Yucatan. Returning the Invincible cap
tured~the Mexican S0-ton vessel Allspa
and the Rrutus took the Telegraph. q
small vessel laden with a very rich
cargo Nine towns along the Mexican
coast were burned by the Texas sailors
and. Of course, looted.
Both the InvincibIe and the BrutnS
met a rather nglorions end Returning
from a forav in the gulf with some
prizes. the Invincible found it impos
sihla to get over the bar at Galveston
HdFD0r ana haI 10 seek aHcHoidSt '''''
side. Next morning. August 26. two
Mexican brigs of war showed in the
ofing and began to attack the Invincl-
bic. The Brutus. rushing to the assist
ance of the Invincible, ran aground,
thus leaving the latter to fight it out
alone All day long the fight ragged,
but when night came the lnvlncIbie
was abandoned by its crew and left to
batter itself to pieces on the breakers.
With these two vessels gone there
was practicajlyno navy left the Texans,
In November Of the same year the
congress of Texas authorized Samuel
Williams to contract for another navy.
Baltimore navy yards were the success
full bidders. The contractors were to
build one ship, two briggs and three
schooners. fully armed and munitioned.
In June, 1899, the vessels arrived at
Galveston; they were the San Jacinto,
the San Antonio, the San Bernard. the
Colorado the Charleston and the Poto-
mae. General Hamilton bought another
schooner with his own funds, the
Zavala. and added her to this fleet. 1t
is rather Of interest to note here That
the Texas politicians Of the day ranted
about the expenditure this
great (?) and ues'ess navy had IN
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