Hannah Elizabeth (ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Hannah Elizabeth |
| Builder | Silas Greenman, Stonington, Connecticut |
| Launched | 1829 |
| Homeport | Stonington, Connecticut |
| Fate | Wrecked, November 1835 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Schooner |
| Tons burthen | 74 72⁄95 tons bm |
| Length | 67 ft 10 in (20.68 m) |
| Beam | 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m) |
| Draft | 6 ft 1.75 in (1.87 m) |
The Hannah Elizabeth was a two-masted ship called a schooner. It was built in 1829 in Stonington, Connecticut. This ship was about 67 feet long and 20 feet wide. It weighed about 74 tons. The Hannah Elizabeth also carried three cannons. Two of these cannons were 6-pounders, and one was a 4-pounder.
Contents
The Ship's Journey
In 1835, three men named Peter Kerr, Fernando de Leon, and Jesus Carbajal rented the Hannah Elizabeth. They planned to use the ship to carry supplies and weapons. These items were to go from New Orleans to Matagorda in Texas.
Helping the Texan Army
Part of the ship's cargo was very important. It was for Colonel Fannin and the new Texan Army. This army was fighting during the Texas Revolution. The supplies included things like muskets, cannons, and gunpowder.
A Dangerous Chase
On November 19, 1835, a Mexican warship called Montezuma spotted the Hannah Elizabeth. This happened along the coast of Texas. The Montezuma began to chase the Hannah Elizabeth. The crew of the Hannah Elizabeth tried to escape. They headed for Pass Cavallo, hoping to reach the safety of Matagorda Bay.
Stranded and Attacked
But as the Hannah Elizabeth tried to enter Pass Cavallo, it got stuck. The ship ran aground on a sandbar. It was helpless. The Montezuma's crew took advantage of this. They fired their cannons at the stranded Hannah Elizabeth.
Losing the Cargo
The crew of the Hannah Elizabeth knew their ship was in trouble. They were carrying secret military supplies. To prevent the enemy from getting them, they quickly threw most of the cargo overboard. This included 500 muskets, two field cannons, and lots of gunpowder and ammunition.
Captured and Recaptured
The Montezuma's crew then boarded the Hannah Elizabeth. They captured its crew. They also left a small group of their own sailors to guard the stuck ship. However, the weather soon turned bad. A severe storm forced the Montezuma to leave. During this time, a small Texas ship called William Robbins arrived. It managed to recapture the Hannah Elizabeth.
The Ship's End
The Texans tried to save the ship and its remaining cargo. But the storm was too strong. The Hannah Elizabeth rolled over in the waves. It broke apart and was completely wrecked.
Finding the Wreck Today
In 1999, explorers were looking for another old ship. This ship was called the L’Aimable. During their search, they found a different shipwreck. It was located on the southeast side of the entrance to Pass Cavallo.
Exploring the Site
In 2001, divers explored this new wreck site further. These divers were from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and Texas A&M University. They found more than 200 items. These included parts of muskets, cannonballs, and lead shot. Many other military items from the early 1800s were also found.
Identifying the Ship
After studying the items, the THC and Texas A&M did a lot of research. They concluded that this shipwreck was most likely the Hannah Elizabeth.
