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Most of the early settlers came by way of the sea, embarking at Mobile and New Orleans. Because of their innocence, or because of a certain love of independence, they entered through whatever ports on the Gulf seemed most expedient. The ports of entry which Mexico attempted to establish for the collection of customs duties were an early cause of friction which contributed to the Texas Revolution. And during the Revolution, the tiny Texas Navy, built around three sloops of war under Commodore Hawkins, was able to establish control of the Gulf of Mexico. These ships were the Independence, the Invincible, and the Brutus. With them Hawkins controlled the sea approaches to Texas, blocked reinforcements to Santa Anna, and contributed in large part to the many difficulties which beset the Mexican Army in its long overland march to the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto Battles of 1836. So it was that Texas established a Naval tradition to stand alongside the brilliant military record achieved on land. - Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

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