|
The Battle of Campeche was one of the worlds most historic
battles in the annals of naval history. First, the Republic of Texas was
at war with Mexico. Yucatan was the most rebellious state of the
Centralist Government of Santa Anna in Mexico City. The adjoining State of
Tobasco ran a close second in its displeasure with their national
government. Yucatan entered in to a contract with the Republic of Texas
under the presidency of Mirabeau B. Lamar where Yucatan was to pay the
Republic of Texas $8,000 a month for use of some its ships to defend their
ports from being blockaded by the Mexican Navy and to defend them against
their own government. She was Texas’ only ally that actually joined in the fight, much to
the embarrassment of the Centralist Mexican government. Had this
disruption not held the main force of Mexico’s army putting down their
uprisings, Texas most surely would have been invaded by a much larger force,
again commanded by Santa Anna and the course of Texas retaining its
independence and eventually becoming the 28th State of the United
States of America might never have happened.
During
the Battle of Campeche the Mexican Navy had two steam vessels in their
opposing fleet, the MONTEZUMA and the GUADALOUPE along with several sail
vessels. The Texas Navy had only
sail vessels, the schooner of war AUSTIN and the Brig WHARTON, and while the
battle lasted several days. They
were aided at the beginning of the battle by the small fleet of the State of
Yucatan under the command of former Texas Navy officer Captain James D. Boylan.
The
Mexican Navy had a distinct advantage over the Texas vessels, powered by sail
alone. To make matters worse, as can been seen by James Moore’s
minutes above of the conflict, there was little or no wind, giving the Mexican
navy an even greater advantage as they could maneuver at will and the Texas
Navy was at the mercy of the elements for power. This also gave the
Mexicans the advantage of staying just out of reach of the Texas Navy’s
canons.
As
can been seen by the minutes below, the Mexican fleet suffered a large amount
of casualties, while the Texans losses were minimal. The Mexican’s
withdrew from the battle during the night of the 16th of May, but they struck
a medal for their navy proclaiming a “Great Naval Victory for Mexico”.
See the end of this page for a picture of the medal.
Historians
have been arguing about this sea battle for years, and I am sure it will
continue far into the future. But,
the fact remains, this is the first and only naval victory where two sail
vessels of the Texas Navy, and a “fishing boat navy” of Yucatan, prevailed
over the superior steam men of war of Mexico!
Admiral
Walter Nass
Minutes
of the first action with the Mexican Squadron at the Battle of Campeche
taken by James Moore
Texas Sloop of War Austin,
}
Off Campeche, April 30th, 1843 }
At 4 A. M., called all hands
and piped the hammocks up---at 4 30, called all hands, “up anchor”, to
stand off until sea breeze set in---at 4 45, as the day broke the enemy
hove in sight consisting of the steamers Montezuma, 7 guns and Guadaloupe,
4 guns; brig Yucateco, 12 guns, and Iman, 7 guns, schooners Eagle, 7 guns,
and Campechano, 3 guns; we were then standing for the land on the starboard
tack, the brig Wharton in company, with the wind about E. S. E.--at 6 35,
hove the main-top-sail to the mast to let the brig come up--at 6 40, filled
away--at 6 50, tacked ship and stood for the enemy, trying to get the weather
gage of them--at 6 55, made signal 77--at 7 05, hoisted Texas ensign at
peak and mizen, English and American ensigns at the fore and broad pennant
at the main, when the crews of both vessels gave three hearty cheers, made
signal 96--at 7 10, the Montezuma appeared to be aground, set the fore-sail--at
7 15 the schooners Sisaleno and Independencia and five gun boats from Campeche
hove in sight standing for us at the same time the Montezuma succeeded
in getting off, when the enemy wore round and stood to the S finding we
were coming on them too fast---at 7 30 the enemy wore and stood for us,
hauled up the fore-sail---at 7 35 the enemy commenced firing at us, most
of the shot passed over, some fell short, but not one struck us---at 7
50 manned our larboard battery and exchanged five broadsides with the enemy’s
steamers, the sail vessels then on our starboard bow, on the starboard
tack, firing at us---at 7 65 enemy’s sail vessels tacked to keep out of
our reach, when we hove in stays and fired our starboard broadside at them---at
8 the brig passed close under our lee, when Com. Moore, ordered her commander
to follow his motion---at 8 10 manned the starboard battery and exchanged
three broadsides with the steamers, enemy’s shot passing over us—at 8 20
the steamers wore and stood to the S to join the sail vessels---at 8 26,
finding our shot did not reach them, ceased firing---at 8 35 the schooners
Sisaleno and Independencia with the gun boats commanded by Com. J. D. Boylan,
passed us, gave them three hardy cheers which they returned; they then
tacked and followed our motinos the Independencia wearing at fore No. 5
of our signal, a private signal between the two squadrons---at 8 40 beat
the retreat and piped to grog---at 9 07, the land breeze dying away came
too with the starboard anchor, with springs on the chain, two fathoms water,
thirty fathoms chain, the City of Campeche bearing S. E. distant seven
miles; piped to breakfast---9 30 nearly dead calm, ship’s head S. E. the
enemy’s squadron on our starboard beam, the brig Wharton on our larboard
beam, the Yucatan vessels on our larboard quarter---at 11 15 to two steamers
approaching us, we beat to quarters, the Yucatan vessels commenced firing
upon the enemy, the steamers fired several shots at them and us; sprung
the ship with the larboard spring to bring our starboard battery to bear
on the enemy---at 11 27, a light breeze springing up, from the N. and W.
slipped the anchor with thirty fathoms chain, putting a slip-buoy on the
chain, filled away on the starboard tack and exchanged several broadsides
with the steamers---at 11 35 a sixty-eight pound shot from the Guadaloupe
cut the after-shroud of the mizzens-rigging about eight feet above the
dead-eye, (Com. Moore holding the shroud at the time) passed between Com.
Moore and Lieutenant Gray, would have killed both of them, but that one
dodged to the right and the other to the left, passed through the poop
deck into the cabin, and pass out the stern about two feet above the transom---up
to 11 40, continued firing at the enemy, but finding our shot did not reach
them, and they having the weather gage of us, we kept off for Campeche,
the men being completely exhausted, but in good spirits, having been at
quarters and working ship, with scarcely any cessation, nearly the whole
of the previous twenty-four hours---11 45 Com. Boylan sent a pilot on board---at
12 15 the ship struck lightly but continued to go ahead a little---at 12
20 the brig Wharton passed under our lee when Com. Moore ordered her commander
to steer for Campeche---at 12 30 finding the ship remained aground, made
signal 146 to brig Wharton---at 12 40 the ship floated when we steered
on our course---at 1 P. M. the steamers fired several shot at us which
we returned, but as our shot did not reach them, we ceased firing, when
the enemy’s vessel hauled off and stood to the southward and westward.
JAMES W. MOORE,
Secretary.
E. W. MOORE,
Commanding Texas Navy
Minutes
of the second action with the Mexican Squadron at the Battle of Campeche
taken by James Moore
Texas Sloop of War Austin }
Off Campeche, May 16th, 1843 }
At 4 30 A. M. called
all hands and piped the hammocks up---4 45 called all hands “up anchor”---at
5 set the top sail---at 5 20 made signal No. 20 to Yucatan squadron---at
5 25 made signal 406---at 5 30 weighed anchor and filled away, head to
S. W. wind S. E. and light, Wharton in company, Yucatan squadron getting
underway---at 6 set top-gallant sails---at 6 12 made signal No. 10 to Yucatan
squadron---at 6 20 made signal No. 77, beat to quarters and cleared ship
for action; enemy’s squadron under way, bearing W. S. W. distant 5 miles---at
6 45 enemy standing off boat the retreat and piped to breakfast---at 8
hoisted the Texas ensign at the peak and broad pennant at the main---at
10 nearly calm---at 10 40 enemy’s squadron hoisted their colors, Guadaloupe
hoisting at the same time English ensign at the fore, the Montezuma the
English at the main and Spanish at the fore, and stood towards us, beat
to quarters, hoisted English and American ensigns at the fore and Texas
at the Mizen---at 10 55 ship’s head S. W. on the starboard tack, Wharton
about ¼ of a mile astern, Yucatan squadron close in shore, enemy
about 2 ½ miles off on our larboard bow, commenced firing at us,
most of their shot falling short---11 05 made signal No. 96 and fired larboard
broadside; the medium twenty-fours not reaching ceased firing with all
except the long eighteen; Wharton commenced firing at the same time---at
11 18 the second shot from the long gun cut away Guadaloupe’s flag staff,
which fell overboard with the ensign, when the crews of both vessels gave
three hearty cheers; Guadaloupe hoisting another ensign at the main gaff---at
11 37 a thirty-two pound shot from the schooner Eagle came through the
hammock netting over No. 6 gun, larboard side, struck the combings of the
steerage of the hatch, rebounded, struck the deck and passed out No. 7
port, wounding three men, closing upon the enemy commenced firing the medium
guns---at 11 40 a shot from the Guadaloupe cut away the starboard main-top-gallant-breast-back-stay,
after-shroud-main-top-gallant-rigging, starboard main-royal-lift and halliards
and passed through the main top-gallant-sail---at 11 43 a shot from
the Guadaloupe cut the starboard fore-top-gallant studding-sail yard in
two, the sail being in the top---at 12 20 the sea breeze setting in, but
very light, the Montezuma being on our larboard bow, Guadaloupe on our
larboard quarter, set the fore-sail, put the helm up, squared the yards,
manned both batteries, and ran directly between both vessels, trying to
bring them to close quarters, giving our broadsides as the guns bore, upon
which the sch’r Eagle tacked, made all sail and stood to the S. and did
not come into the action again, the steamers finding that we were bringing
them to close quarters, and the wind being light, paddled off and took
their position on our starboard bow---at 12 50 a sixty-eight pound shot
from the Guadaloupe came trough the hammock nettings, starboard side, over
No. 7 gun, passed out larboard side, carrying away forward port stanchion
No. 9 port and the mizen channels forward of the port with two chain plates---up
to 1 42 the firing continued on both sides, enemy’s shots passing between
our masts and over the poop---at 1 42 a sixty-eight pound shot found shot
from the Guadaloupe cut away the starboard main-brace, bumpkin &c.,---1
45 a shot from the Guadaloupe cut away a fourth shroud of the starboard
main-rigging, starboard main-truss and foot-rope of the main-top-sail---at
2 a shell exploded over head, cutting the main-royal-mast badly and several
ropes---at 2 10 a forty-two pound shot from the Montezuma struck just forward
to No. 9 gun, starboard side, passed through the water ways and deck, into
the ward-room, through No. 3 state-room, purser’s store-room and lodged
in the armory, wounding two men at No. 9 gun---Tho’s Morris, on of the
wounded, returned to his quarters as soon as his wounds were dressed, and
in a few minutes his left arm was shot off---at 2 24 a shot from the Guadaloupe
passed through the ensign at the peak---at 2 25 a sixty-eight pound shot
from the Guadaloupe struck the edge of the copper under No. 1 gun, broke
the planking and rebounded, causing a bad leak, which was immediately plugged
up---at 2 26 a shot from the Guadaloupe cut away the third shroud of the
starboard fore-rigging and larboard futtock-shroud---at 2 34 a sixty-eight
pound shot from the Guadaloupe passed through the hammock-nettings over
No. 7 gun, killing one man and wounding Lieut., Wilber, Mids’n Bryant,
S. Hubbard, Captain’s clerk and four men---at 2 35 a sixty-eight pound
shot from the Guadaloupe struck the still of No. 5 port, starboard side,
passed through and carried away both axle-trues of the gun-carriage, ripped
up the deck three feet, injured the main-top-sail-sheet-bits and main-mast
fife-rail and stopped on deck, killing Captain No. 5 gun and wounding four
men---at 2 37 a shot came through the hammock-nettings over No. 6 gun,
starboard, killing one man and wounding four---at 2 40 a shot cut away
the starboard main-top-gallant-back stay---at 2 42 a shot cut away second
shroud, starboard mizen-rigging, mizen-top gallant halliards and
larboard main brace---at 2 45 a sixty-eight pound shot came through the
bulwarks, starboard side, abaft No. 9 gun, above the pin-rail, wounding
two men and passed out opposite port---at 3 P. M. the breeze freshening
and all the weather main-top-gallant rigging being cut away, one gun of
starboard battery disabled, wore ship to engage the enemy with the larboard
battery; the Guadaloupe ceased firing and still standing on the starboard
tack; being in leward and not being able to bring the enemy to close
quarters, made signal No. 81 and kept off of for Campeche, Wharton in company
Yucatan squadron out of gun shot dead to leeward.
JAMES W. MOORE,
Secretary,
E. W. MOORE,
Commanding Texas Navy.
25th May.
On repairing the injury
under No. 1 port the sixty-eight pound shot was found lodged in a part
of two timbers, and the plank was put on leaving the shot where it lodged.
E. W. Moore
Comments
of Commodore Moore on the Battle
While the carpenters were at work
repairing the damages sustained during the action of the 16th May, I procured
from the Governor of Yucatan the schooner Independencia, being the largest
of the gun-boats, and mounting two guns---a long twelve and a long nine pounder. This vessel I placed under the command of Lieutenant A.
G. Gray, (1st Lieutenant of the Austin,) and ordered him to proceed in
the direction of Telchac, for the purpose of intercepting any supplies
that might be on the way from New- Orleans for the Mexican squadron, and
if possible to capture officers of Barragan’s division, who were about
leaving with troops for Tampico. This I most ardently desired, with
the hope of being able to exchange for some or all of my countrymen who
were in chains and slavery in Mexico. Before reaching Telchac, the
Independencia fell in with the American schooner Glide, with provisions
designed for the enemy, (or which in all probability would have fallen
into their hands,) and returned with her to Campeche.
Letter
from Commodore Moore to Secretary of War and Marine G. W. Hill after the
Battle of Campeche
Texas Sloop of War Austin
}
Off Campeche, May 20th, 1843. }
Sir.---I wrote last
per schooner Republican on 10th instant, and take advantage of the American
schooner Rosario, which vessel sails to-night, for New Orleans, to report
that on the morning of the 16th, we stood out at daylight to attack the
enemy’s two steamers and schooner Eagle; the two brigs and the other schooners
and steamer Regenerador, being up at Telchac.
I herewith enclose a copy
of the minutes of the action, and the Surgeon’s report of killed and wounded.
The brig Wharton was in
position and kept up a brisk fire whenever the medium guns could be used
with effect. A long twelve pounder on board of her, obtained since
our arrival here, was fired sixty five times, and frequently hit the enemy.
The fire was directed at this vessel nearly the whole action---not one
shot struck the Wharton, and but very few were fired at her.
It would be impossible to
particularize the conduct of any one under my command---every officer and
man on board both vessels did his duty nobly.
Many of our shot struck
the Guadaloupe, and one shell shot struck abaft her wheel-house on the
larboard side, and must have done great execution. I fired very few
of them owing to the distance they kept from us---it was a running fight
from the time we fired the first gun, and the distance that we sailed,
endeavoring to close, was not less than fourteen miles. A fisherman
came alongside yesterday who had been on board the Guadaloupe, (at which
vessel the greater part of our fire was directed,) and stated that the
number of killed on board of her was forty seven, and that thirty were
so badly wounded as to require amputations. From the Montezuma we
have heard nothing. On the 18th, the Regenerador joined the other
vessels in the offing, and this morning the two brigs also appeared.
We are at anchor now about
seven miles apart, our rigging and sails are repaired, and carpenters are
at work, repairing where shot struck us. In a few days we will be
in as fine a condition as ever, and the first favorable breeze another
attack will be made upon the enemy.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
E. W. MOORE,
Commanding Texas Navy.
Hon. G. W. Hill,
Secretary of War and Marine.
This medal was struck by the
Mexican government after the Battle of Campeche and is in the National Museum of
History, Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City, Mexico. The picture comes from
the book "Commodore Moore & the Texas Navy" by Tom Henderson
Wells." (1960; The University of Texas Press in Austin)
|
