Texan schooner Liberty facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" | 
|}
| History | |
|---|---|
 Republic of Texas |
|
| Acquired | before December 11, 1835 |
| Commissioned | January 5, 1836 |
| Decommissioned | July, 1836 |
| Homeport | Galveston, Texas |
| Fate | levied and sold at auction to pay the cost of repairs |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Schooner |
| Displacement | 75 tons |
| Length | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Propulsion | wind |
| Speed | variable |
| Complement | 20-50 |
| Armament | 6-6 pounders |
Quick facts for kids First Texas Navy |
|
|---|---|
| Ships | |
| Brutus – Independence – Invincible – Liberty | |
| Skirmishes | |
| Matamoros – Brazos River – Galveston Harbor | |
The Texas schooner Liberty was one of the four schooners that made up the First Texas Navy (1836–1838). It was part of the Texas Navy for only about six months. During this time, it captured a Mexican ship called Pelicano, which was carrying weapons for the Mexican army in Texas. Later, the Liberty sailed to New Orleans with Sam Houston, who was injured. The ship needed repairs there. However, Texas couldn't pay for the repairs. So, the Liberty was sold in June 1836 to cover the costs. This meant the Texas Navy had only three ships left.
Before it became the Liberty, this ship was a private vessel named William Robbins. Citizens in Matagorda bought it in November 1835. This happened after another ship, the Hannah Elizabeth, was captured by the Mexican Navy ship Bravo. The Hannah Elizabeth was full of weapons and ammunition for the Texas Revolution. It was seized and ran aground near Pass Cavallo. During the chase, its cannons were thrown overboard.
A few days later, the William Robbins was put under the command of Captain William A. Hurd. He then captured the Mexican warship Correo de Mejico. He also took back the Hannah Elizabeth from the Mexican crew. Both ships were then taken to Galveston. These actions were taken before the William Robbins had official permission from the new Texas government.
The Texas government bought the William Robbins in Galveston on January 5, 1836. They paid $3,500 for it. The ship was then renamed the Liberty. This made it the very first ship of the Texas Navy.
Captain William S. Brown was put in charge of the Liberty in January 1836. His brother, Jeremiah Brown, commanded another Texas ship, the Invincible. Later that month, Captain Brown sailed the Liberty to stop Mexican ships from blocking the Texas coast. This blockade prevented weapons and volunteers from reaching Texas. The Liberty also aimed to stop Mexican supplies from reaching their troops by sea.
On March 6, while sailing towards the Yucatán Peninsula, the Liberty captured the Mexican schooner Pelicano. This happened near the fortress at Sisal. The Pelicano had three guns. It was sailed into Matagorda Bay. The Pelicano was carrying 300 kegs of gunpowder and other military supplies. These were hidden inside cargo owned by a company from New Orleans. The Pelicano later ran aground and was lost near Matagorda, Texas. However, its important cargo was saved. These supplies were used during the San Jacinto campaign.
Captain Brown resigned only nine days after this victory. This was due to a disagreement with Commodore Charles Hawkins. George Wheelwright then became the captain of the Liberty in May 1836. His first mission was to protect the ship Flora. The Flora was carrying Sam Houston, who was wounded at San Jacinto on April 21, to New Orleans for medical care.
In New Orleans, the Liberty needed repairs. However, the Texas government could not pay the repair bills. So, the ship was held in May 1836 and later sold to pay its debts. This event showed how little money the Texas Navy had. Even with many demands on it, the navy had to work with a very small budget. After the Liberty was sold, the Texas Navy had only three ships left. Texas was still working to gain its independence.
Crew Members Seek Payment
Years later, the crew of the Liberty asked the Texas Congress for a share of the money from capturing the Pelicano. The Judiciary Committee decided that the crew of the Liberty deserved a fair share. This was because the District Court of Brazoria had the right to decide on sea captures. The court had properly declared the Pelicano as a prize of war.
