Texan schooner Independence The Texan schooner " Independence " was one of the four schooner s of the First Texas Navy ( 1836 – 1838 ) . In 1836 , Charles Hawkins , a veteran of the United States and Mexican navies , visited Texas Governor Henry Smith , seeking a commission in the new Texas Navy . Smith was impressed with his credentials and sent him to New Orleans , where he was given the task of acquiring the United States Revenue cutter " Ingham " for the Texas Navy , which he did in early January , 1836 , for $ 1 , 710 . After the Texas victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in April , 1836 , " Independence " carried the Texas President and his captive , General Santa Anna , to Velasco , where the Treaty of Velasco was negotiated and signed . While being refitted in New Orleans in early 1837 , her skipper died and a new Captain was appointed . When next she sailed in April , 1837 , " Independence " was attacked and surrendered to a superior Mexican force and her officers and passengers were imprisoned . The ship was later commissioned in the Mexican Navy where she served against her former masters . Service during the Texas Revolution . From January until March , 1836 , before Texas formally declared her independence from Mexico , Commodore Charles Hawkins cruised the Coahuila y Tejas coast between Galveston and Tampico , destroying " a considerable number of small craft , with all material on board that could be used to the injury of Texas . " By 12 March , the " Independence " returned to New Orleans for refitting , but she quickly returned to Matagorda to block supplies to the Mexican Army , skirmishing inconclusively with the Mexican brigs " Urrea " and " Bravo " . However , with the retreat of Sam Houston ' s army after the Texans ' defeats at the siege of the Battle of the Alamo and Battle of Goliad , Hawkins was forced to move his ship up the Texas coast from Matagorda to Galveston . With the rebel government in disarray during the Runaway Scrape , " Independence " s mission was to defend Galveston from invasion and block resupply of Santa Anna ' s nearby army . After the decisive Texas victory at the Battle of San Jacinto , " Independence " carried Texas President David G . Burnet and his cabinet along with the now - captive Santa Anna to Velasco , where the Treaty of Velasco was negotiated and signed . After the Treaty of Velasco . As flagship of the Texas Navy , " Independence " was tasked with conveying diplomatic missions . In June , 1836 , the schooner bore commissioners Peter William Grayson and James W . Collinsworth to New Orleans on the first leg of their trip to Washington , D . C . to negotiate the recognition of Texas by the United States . In the summer of 1836 , " Independence " was the only ship of the Texas Navy on duty in the Gulf of Mexico ; " Liberty " having been sold to pay the cost of refurbishment and " Invincible " and " Brutus " in New York City for repairs . Mexican authorities had recently repudiated the Treaty of Velasco claiming that General Santa Anna did not have the capacity to bind Mexico to recognize Texas ' independence . With rumors of an imminent invasion of Texas by Mexico , " Independence " carried out a screening and patrol action at Matamoros , which the Texans had ordered blockade d . In the fall of 1836 , " Independence " returned to New Orleans for refitting and while there Commodore Hawkins died of smallpox . When " Independence " sailed from New Orleans on 10 April 1837 , with Texas minister to the United States , William H . Wharton aboard , she was skippered by her new Captain , George W . Wheelwright , who had been left without a command after the forced sale of " Liberty " in May , 1836 . Battle of Brazos River . On her next cruise , " Independence " had smooth sailing for about seven days when on 17 April she encountered the Mexican brigs - of - war " Vencedor del Álamo " and " Libertador " off the mouth of the Brazos River . The initial sighting of the two Mexican brigs was at about 5 : 30 am . Outgunned and outmanned , " Independence " fled up Brazos River for protection at the small riverside town of Velasco . The Mexican vessels pursued the Texans ; eventually the two brigs came within cannon range several hours later at 9 : 30 am . " Vincedor del Alamo " of sixteen 8 - pound guns and 140 men , sailed with " Libertador " of six 12 - pound guns and one 18 - pounder , crewed by about 100 men . " Independence " of eight guns total , raised her colors followed by " Libertador " which then fired the first broadside that had no effect . Shortly afterward " Independence " fired a broadside with her weather battery of one 9 - pound gun , three 6 - pound guns , and one pivot gun . For two hours , " Independence " continued up Brazos River with the Mexican brigs in close pursuit , occasionally stopping to fire on each other . By 11 : 30 am the Texans had reached Velasco ; Captain Wheelwright had no choice but to fight to the end , apparently not being able to continue up the Brazos River any further . The final engagement took place right in front of the small Texan town and populace , including the Texas Secretary of the Navy Samuel Rhoads Fisher . The Mexicans not being far behind came within range and Captain Wheelwright ordered his men to engage once more . The shots managed to damage the main top - gallant mast of the " Libertador " . After another broadside in " Libertador " s direction , two Mexicans lay dead and a few more were wounded aboard the brig - of - war . More shots damaged " Libertador " s foremast and knocked out one of her 12 pounders . However , these broadsides did not slow the Mexican ships ; " Libertador " approached " Independence " head on while " Vincedor del Alamo " maneuvered around to " Independence " s other side . The two brigs quickly came within pistol shots range and both fired a mixture of cannon projectiles . This is when a ball smashed through " Independence " s quarter gallery wall and into the Texan captain , taking off three of his fingers on his right hand . Severely wounded and taken below , command of the schooner passed to Lieutenant John W . Taylor , who finished the last few moments of battle before receiving orders from Wheelwright to surrender . With this action , the battle was over . Taylor struck his colors , surrendering the ship . " Independence " s officers and Wharton were taken prisoner . Imprisoned in Matamoros , all of the prisoners eventually escaped or were released by the Mexican government . " Independence " was commissioned into the Mexican navy under the name " La Independencia " and continued to serve in the Gulf against the Texans .