Chapter 12, Student Web Activities, Texas and Texans, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 12: The Lone Star Republic
"The Texas Navy"

Introduction
The Republic of Texas was an independent country. The United States was considered a foreign nation, as were Great Britain, France, and Mexico. As an independent country, the Republic of Texas had its own navy. In Chapter 12 you learned that the second president of the Republic of Texas, Mirabeau Lamar, hoped that a strong military would force Mexico to recognize Texas's independence. In this activity, you will learn about the ships that made up the Texas navy.

Destination Title: The Texas Navies

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
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Directions
Start at The Texas Navies Web site.

Click on Enter.
Scroll down and click on The Three Navies of Texas.
Read the information provided.

Use what you have learned to answer the following questions.

1. How many ships made up the first Texas Navy? What were the names of the ships?

2. Describe two ways in which the first Texas Navy contributed to the success of the Texas Revolution.

3. How did the second Texas Navy enable the Republic of Texas to maintain its fragile hold on independence in its early years?

4. Why and when was the third Texas Navy established?

5. Do further research on the structure of pre-Civil War ships. Working alone or with a partner, construct a ship out of balsa wood or Popsicle sticks. Include rigging and sails. Make sure you are able to name all the parts of your ship, including the mainmast and foremast, the rigging, the various sails, and so on.