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History of the Merchant Brig Potomac in the Texas Navy

Published: 1952

Updated: May 1, 1995

The merchant brig Potomac was bought for the Texas Navy from Capt. L. M. Hitchcock in early 1838 for $8,000. It was the only ship in the navy until the Zavala was purchased in November. Over $10,000 was spent in equipping the Potomac for war service, but it was never fully converted to a man-of-war and remained at the Galveston Navy Yard for use as a receiving ship. The vessel was last mentioned in May 1842, when it was a leaking, rotten hulk and considered worthless.

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Bibliography:

Alex Dienst, "The Navy of the Republic of Texas," Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association 12–13 (January-October 1909; rpt., Fort Collins, Colorado: Old Army Press, 1987). Jim Dan Hill, The Texas Navy in Forgotten Battles and Shirtsleeve Diplomacy (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1937; rpt., Austin: State House, 1987).

Time Periods:

The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry.

Anonymous, “Potomac,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed April 11, 2026, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/potomac.

TID: QTP02

Original Publication Date:
1952
Most Recent Revision Date:
May 1, 1995