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January 22, 2021
Today in Texas history
“Laura” the First Steamboat to Reach Houston
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
On Jan. 22, 1837, the first steamboat to ascend Buffalo Bayou above Harrisburg brought Augustus C. and John K. Allen and a number of other prominent Texans to the new capital of Houston.
The “Laura” was built in Louisville, Kentucky, for use on the Brazos by Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel M. Williams. After her arrival in Texas in June 1835 she had a notable career.
In September 1835 the “Laura” towed the armed schooner “San Felipe” to engage and capture the Mexican cruiser “Correo,” which had been seizing United States vessels calling at Texas ports. In April 1836 the “Laura” took vice president Lorenzo de Zavala and secretary of the treasury Bailey Hardeman to the site of the battle of San Jacinto; they were the first officials to arrive there from Galveston Island.
The vessel remained in government service through September 1836, when McKinney and Williams resumed using her to gather Brazos River cotton. In June 1840 she broke both shafts on a bar in the Brazos River and was towed into port. Her subsequent fate is unknown.
The “Laura” was built in Louisville, Kentucky, for use on the Brazos by Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel M. Williams. After her arrival in Texas in June 1835 she had a notable career.
In September 1835 the “Laura” towed the armed schooner “San Felipe” to engage and capture the Mexican cruiser “Correo,” which had been seizing United States vessels calling at Texas ports. In April 1836 the “Laura” took vice president Lorenzo de Zavala and secretary of the treasury Bailey Hardeman to the site of the battle of San Jacinto; they were the first officials to arrive there from Galveston Island.
The vessel remained in government service through September 1836, when McKinney and Williams resumed using her to gather Brazos River cotton. In June 1840 she broke both shafts on a bar in the Brazos River and was towed into port. Her subsequent fate is unknown.