Texas is a state with unique culture, peoples, and a long and beloved history. One relic from the state's past that still exists is the Texas Navy. This little discussed military institution not only helped secure Texas’ independence from the tyrannical hand of President Antionio Lopez de Santa Anna and his administration, but it also  continues to exist as a government recognized ceremonial military force in the State of Texas.

                                           THE FIRST NAVY

The genesis of the Texas Navy starts with the birth of the Texian Nation which later became the modern State of Texas. In the early 1830’s the Mexican government of Tejas (Mexican Texas) opened its borders to American settlement. As a result, there was a major influx of Texians (American born inhabitants of Tejas or the Republic of Texas) coming from the American ports of New Orleans and Mobile to Galveston, Matagorda Bay, or the mouth of the Brazos, but this influx had disastrous consequences for Mexican dominance. The Texians refused to submit to Mexican officials, and refused to convert to Catholicism. This eventually led to the war known as the Texian War for Independence. Following the outbreak of the war, the provisional government under Governor Henry Smith created the Texas Navy to secure supplies from Galveston Island and New Orleans. The Texian Navy during the Revolution created the ships Liberty, Invincible, Independence, and the Brutus all named relating to the concept of liberty and freedom from tyranny. The Texian Navy during the war saw little action besides skirmishes with pirates and Mexican vessels, and the Texian Navy died out for the first time following the Texian victory at the swamps of San Jacinto due to mountains of debt and an inability to maintain the ships.

                                    THE SECOND NAVY

That was not the end of the Texas Navy as the institution was reborn in 1839 under the administration of President Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, and was under the command of Commodore Edwin Ward Moore who named the flagship of the Texas Navy the Austin. Edwin W. Moore proved to be a successful leader who continued the fight of Texian values in the Yucatan Peninsula. Under his command the Texian Navy destroyed the Mexican blockade during the Yucatan Campaigns. His creation of a de facto alliance with Yucanteco Rebels along with his disobedience led President Sam Houston to declare the entire Texas Navy pirates and order their ships to be seized and returned to Galveston Island. He was eventually put on trial in front of the Texian Congress for crimes such as “disobediance, contumacy, mutiny, piracy, and murder.” In response to him being put on trial for war crimes he decided to… publish a book, a strategy future politicians would adopt. After publishing his book, To the People of Texas (1843), he was found innocent except for four minor charges. Despite the verdict the Second Texas Navy was abolished in 1857, fourteen years following Texas joining the Union.

             THE THIRD NAVY

After a century of the Texas Navy being lost in the annals of history it was finally revived by the State of Texas. In 1958, Governor Marion Price Daniel, Sr. used his gubernatorial power to establish the Third Texas Navy, now commonly known as the Texas Navy Association. The Navy is based out of its historic home of Galveston, Texas and now operates as a benevolent society dedicated to preserving Texas maritime history. The society has worked on multiple projects oriented towards preserving Texas naval history. The Navy continues to have members who are distributed amongst different ranks which are recognized by the State of Texas. The highest ranking officers in the Navy are the Texas Admirals. All Texas Admirals are appointed by the current Governor of the State of Texas. Admirals include a vast array of people from US naval officers to humanitarians. The two next ranks in the navy are purely based on ranks and the ages to enlist as such are a Lieutenant (16-25) and a Commander (26+). The navy along with having a hierarchy has a ceremonial fleet. The fleet includes the flagship USS Texas (BB-35) which is the only remaining battleship to survive World War I and World War II.  The battleship participated in D-Day and is now berthed at the San Jacinto State Battle Site, the same swamp where Texas won its independence almost two hundred years ago. The fleet includes other ships bearing names related to Texas history including the USS San Jacinto, USS Lexington, USS Austin, USS Houston, etc., all of which are owned by the federal government and fly the flag of the Texas Navy.

The Texas Navy serves as a historical preservation society whose mission is to teach the general public about Texas history. The legality of a State Governor along with the US Navy recognising a citizen led military with a fleet is questionable and unusual, but at least it is not as unusual as the Great Navy of Nebraska.