Thompson, Henry L.

Commodore Henry Livingston Thompson was the second commander of the Texas Navy during the Yucatan Expedition of 1837, under Secretary of the Navy, S. Rhodes Fisher. The Battle of San Jacinto ended the land war of the Texas Revolution, but the war continued at sea between Texas and Mexico’s navies. Although President Houston believed that the Texas Navy should maintain a purely defensive posture in Texas waters, Fisher and Thompson took a more aggressive course of action, calculated to break the Mexican blockade of Texas. They raided and claimed possession of several Mexican islands and battled with Mexican brigs. Thompson’s ship the Invincible was destroyed by storms and could not be salvaged. Both Fisher and Thompson were forced to resign, and Thompson was threatened with court-martial. However, Thompson died before the proceedings could begin.

Source : Haddock, William P. COMMODORE HENRY LIVINGSTON THOMPSON: 2nd Commander of the Texas Navy & the Yucatan Expedition of 1837. The Sons of the Republic of Texas . www.texasnavy.com/SRT_H%20L%20Thompson%20Bio.pdf (accessed May 24, 2010)

From the guide to the Thompson, Henry L. Papers, 1837, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Commodore Henry Livingston Thompson was the second commander of the Texas Navy during the Yucatan Expedition of 1837, under Secretary of the Navy, S. Rhodes Fisher.

The Battle of San Jacinto ended the land war of the Texas Revolution, but the war continued at sea between Texas and Mexico's navies. Although President Houston believed that the Texas Navy should maintain a purely defensive posture in Texas waters, Fisher and Thompson took a more aggressive course of action, calculated to break the Mexican blockade of Texas. They raided and claimed possession of several Mexican islands and battled with Mexican brigs. Thompson's ship the Invincible was destroyed by storms and could not be salvaged. Both Fisher and Thompson were forced to resign, and Thompson was threatened with court-martial. However, Thompson died before the proceedings could begin.

From the description of Thompson, Henry L., papers, 1837 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 658925850