Texan Schooner Invincible - Repairs in New York: One Step Ahead of The Bailiff and The U.S. Navy

Repairs in New York: One Step Ahead of The Bailiff and The U.S. Navy

On August 4, 1836, the Invincible sailed for New York City for repairs. Captain Brown and his crew intended to have the ship repaired and re-supplied before returning to Texas in early 1837. The ship's officers and crew soon learned that there were no funds to pay for the services and repairs rendered or for their personal expenses for meals and laundry, and New York authorities impounded the vessel in January, 1837. The crew considered abandoning ship and returning to Texas by land. But fate intervened in the form of Samuel Swartwout, the U.S. collector for the Port of New York City (and a noted Texas benefactor). Swartwout helped settle the crew’s debts and save the ship from being sold at auction, like her sister ship Liberty.

When all the bills were settled, the Invincible departed New York with great haste, just ahead of a pursuing United States Navy vessel with orders to arrest the crew and detain the vessel for violating the neutrality of the United States.