The First Texas Navy Author:John Powers The First Texas Navy is a measured, detailed, and comprehensive account of the operations and administration of the 1836-1837 navy of the Republic of Texas, drawn chiefly from official records and other contemporaneous writings. As the author states, if the work had merit, it lies in the incorporation of material from primary sources not previou... more »sly utilized.
In 320 pages, the vigorous and concise prose describes how the navy sustained the army of the republic, a beleaguered citizenry, and a poverty-stricken government striving for stability against great odds in a war for independence from Mexico.
The text is accompanied by extensive discursive comments in numerous endnotes as well as useful appendices showing sea traffic into Texas ports during 1836-1837, reconstructed muster rolls for the four naval vessels during the more important incidents, the official navy manning establishment and pay scales, and discussions of the reliability of several sources.
Eight maps illustrate the work; a detailed index is included for easy reference. Readers wishing to pursue related matters will find the bibliography helpful.« less