⚓ Texas Navy History: When a Republic Fought Its Own Fleet
🌀 A Twisted Timeline Tale from the Republic of Texas (1830s–1840s)
The Setup: One Nation, Two Navies
In this wild ride through Texas Navy history, the 1830s delivered one of the strangest chapters of all. Texas, standing as its own republic, built not one, but two navies. What followed was a saga of political pettiness, bold captains, and an absolutely bonkers moment when the president declared his own naval commander a pirate. ☠️
Yes, really.
⛵ The First Texas Navy (1836–1837)
The first Texas Navy came into existence under President Sam Houston to fend off Mexico during Texas’s war for independence. It performed admirably — capturing ships, protecting trade routes, and stirring up trouble along the coast. 🌊
However, after the war ended, Houston viewed the navy as too expensive to maintain. Rather than preserve it, he allowed it to fall apart. Consequently, ships disappeared from service, were sold off, or simply rotted away. 💸
🚢 The Second Texas Navy (1839–1843)
When Houston’s rival, President Mirabeau B. Lamar, took office, he brought the navy back — in style. He appointed Commodore Edwin Ward Moore, a daring U.S. Navy veteran, to lead it. 🧭
Moore wasted no time. He launched expeditions and aligned with Mexican rebels. Lamar praised the bold moves. However, when Houston returned to power in 1841, he was far from amused. 😒
Houston slashed the navy’s funding. Even so, Moore ignored the cuts and kept sailing. 🚫💰
In response, Houston labeled Moore a pirate. 🏴☠️
💣 The Showdown at Sea
By 1843, Moore had disobeyed direct presidential orders and led the Texas fleet into battle alongside Mexican rebels. Upon his return, he faced threats of legal action — not praise. ⚔️
The ships sat in disrepair, sailors lacked pay, and Houston made plans to sell off the entire fleet. As a result, Texas entered a surreal period where it appeared to be at war with its own navy. 🤯
🧨 Why This Chapter of Texas Navy History Is a Twisted Timeline
This wasn’t just a policy disagreement — it was an armed force acting independently of its government. Naval battles occurred. Accusations of piracy flew. Moreover, mutiny rumors spread.
⚓ Only in Texas.
📜 Epilogue to Texas Navy History
Moore ultimately cleared his name. In 1845, the Republic of Texas joined the United States, ending the brief but wild age of this Texas Navy History. Some ships were absorbed. Others were scrapped. 🛳️
Nevertheless, for one shining, ridiculous moment, a country nearly fired cannons at itself.
Yeehaw. 🤠
