Because of the activities of Mexican raiding vessels along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the provisional government of Texas in the 1830s became acutely aware of the need for a navy.

[2] On the day that Texas acquired the first ship to the purpose, Liberty, the General Council reported that they were being offered another, Invincible, which they recommended be examined and, if suitable, purchased immediately.

Originally built as a slave trader in a Baltimore shipyard, the schooner was being presented to the government by new owners, Texas special agents Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel May Williams, who had purchased her for $12,013.02 and were asking a 12.5% commission.

By that time renamed Bravo, the 20-gun man-of-war was near the mouth of the Rio Grande awaiting a refit for a lost rudder when Invincible came up.

[2] This merchant vessel, captained by Elijah Howe, was carrying food and weapons to Santa Anna's army in Texas.

The crew was soon released when insufficient testimony was offered to counter the defense's claim that Invincible had apprehended Pocket for violating the laws of the Republic of Texas and of nations, by carrying contraband and spies to Santa Anna.

[2] Invincible offered to engage the retreating Vencedor del Alamo in battle near Vera Cruz, but were told that the crew was not able to fight.

Pursued by a ship sent to arrest the crew for violating the neutrality laws of the United States, she fled back to Galveston, arriving on March 14, 1837.

[2][3] In April 1837, Invincible received a new captain, Commodore H. L. Thompson, who after a fruitless search for enemy on the Texas coast alongside Brutus, set off for Mexico.

Houston also dismissed Texas's Secretary of the Navy, Samuel Rhoads Fisher, who had abandoned his position to join the ships.

On May 23, 1838, President Houston agreed to pay the officers and crew one half of the value of the prizes they had obtained, albeit illegally, on their last cruise.

The clay would have prevented the wreck from sinking into the sea bed, so he speculated that subsequent hurricanes scattered the ships remains far and wide, burying them in sand.