| History | |
|---|---|
 Republic of Texas | |
| Name | Independence |
| Builder | Webb and Allen, New York |
| Cost | $1,710 |
| Laid down | 1830 |
| Launched | 1832 |
| Acquired | 10 January 1836 |
| Commissioned | 10 January 1836 |
| Decommissioned | 27 August 1837 |
| Renamed |
|
| Homeport | Galveston, Texas |
| Captured | 17 April 1837 |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Schooner |
| Displacement | 125 tons |
| Length | 89 ft (27 m) |
| Propulsion | wind |
| Speed | variable |
| Complement | 40 |
| Armament |
|
| First Texas Navy | |
|---|---|
| Ships | |
| Brutus – Independence – Invincible – Liberty | |
| Skirmishes | |
| Matamoros – Brazos River – Galveston Harbor | |
The Texan schooner Independence was one of the four schooners of the First Texas Navy (1836–1838). At the direction of Texas Governor Henry Smith, in 1836 Charles Hawkins took command of United States revenue cutter Ingham acquired by the Texas Navy and renamed Independence.
After the Texas victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in April, 1836, Independence carried the Texas President and his captive, General Santa Anna, to Velasco, where the Treaty of Velasco was negotiated and signed.
While being refitted in New Orleans in early 1837, her skipper died and a new captain was appointed. When next she sailed in April 1837, Independence was attacked and surrendered to a superior Mexican force and her officers and passengers were imprisoned. The ship was later commissioned in the Mexican Navy where she served against her former masters.