Surfside Beach in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Republic of Texas Navy: 1835-1837

Photographed by Chris Kneupper

1. First Republic of Texas Navy: 1835-1837 Marker

Inscription.
During the beginning of the Texas Revolution, a naval force was quickly assembled, based out of Quintana and Velasco.

Even before Texas declared its independence, in late 1835 the provisional Texian government adopted laws to create a navy. However, actual creation was done largely through the efforts of Quintana merchants Thomas Freeman McKinney and Samuel May Williams, who put up much of the cash and personal credit required. The first four schooners acquired - Independence, Liberty, Brutus, and Invincible - helped defend the coast during the Texas revolution and the dangerous months that followed the victory at San Jacinto.

During the revolution and the early days of the republic, Quintana and Velasco served as a principal base of the Texas Navy, due to their position at the mouth of the Brazos River and easy access to areas settled as part of Austin's Colony.

Later Galveston, with its sheltered anchorage and growing commerce, was designated as the navy's primary base, but Quintana and Velasco remained critical strategic points on the vulnerable Texas coast.

Erected 2024 by Old Fort Velasco Historical Association

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and Old Velasco/Surfside Beach Historical Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 28° 56.483′ N, 95° 18.009′ W. Marker is in Surfside Beach, Texas, in Brazoria County. It can be reached from the intersection of Parkview Road and Monument Ave.. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Parkview Road, Freeport TX 77541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Site of the Republic of Texas (within shouting distance of this marker); Brown-Hoskins Hotel and Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Chris Kneupper

2. First Republic of Texas Navy: 1835-1837 Marker

Battle of Velasco Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Civil War Forts at Mouth of Brazos (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Velasco, CSA (within shouting distance of this marker); Velasco (within shouting distance of this marker); Republic of Texas Battery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Anna signed Treaties of Velasco (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Surfside Beach.

More about this marker. This marker is one of a set of six historical trail signs installed along a jetty-side hiking trail in Feb-Mar 2024 at the site of Old Velasco at the old mouth of the Brazos River, as near as possible to the actual location featured in the sign.

Regarding First Republic of Texas Navy: 1835-1837. The "First Texas Navy" involved four armed schooners that protected the coast in early 1836, keeping Mexican supplies and reinforcements from reaching Santa Anna and his army, channeling captured supplies instead to the Texas Army under Sam Houston, and protected his flank so he could prevail at San Jacinto. The exact location of this sign is not specific

Closeup of Text and Images on Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris Kneupper, circa 2023

3. Closeup of Text and Images on Sign

to the "First Texas Navy" but does provide an open view of the old Brazos River channel where they entered from the Gulf of Mexico for supplies, sailors and marines.

Also see . . .
1. How the Texas Navy Saved the Revolution. Link to YouTube version of a 22-minute video created by the Texas Navy Association in 2017. (Submitted on March 26, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)

2. The Three Texas Navies. This is a 10-minute video that summarizes the story about the First, Second and Third Texas Navies, produced by the Texas Navy Association. (Submitted on March 26, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)

3. Marines of the Texas Republic. This is a link to a 47-minute video about the naval infantry that served aboard the ships of the Republic of Texas Navy, by Texas Navy Admiral Andy Hall. (Submitted on May 13, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. This page has been viewed 685 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on May 18, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 2. submitted on March 26, 2024, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 3. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.