Confederate Naval Works of Goose Creek
Historical Marker project
Captain
Thomas Henry and brother John Chubb
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WATCH THE DEDICATION SLIDESHOW
In early 2006 Trevia Wooster Beverly contacted OurBaytown.com about the possibility of placing a Historical Marker on Goose Creek/Lake at Bayland Island Park boat ramp area to raise awareness of the Confederate Naval Works of Goose Creek, built by the Chubb brothers in the 1850's. As many as 6 ships were built and many used in the Civil war.
Originally from Charleston, Massachusetts, Captain Thomas Henry Chubb and his brother John Chubb were pioneer residents of Galveston and early mariners of the Texas Gulf Coast.
In the
1854, the brothers purchased approximately 56 acres on the
east bank at the mouth of Goose Creek from Mary Jones, wife of President Anson
Jones.
Captain Thomas Chubb became a close friend of Sam Houston, who
later appointed Thomas as Admiral of the Texas Navy. Thomas reciprocated
by building a ship for the Confederacy and naming it the Sam Houston in
honor of his friend.
Originally from Charlestown, Massachusetts Thomas Henry and brother John
originally settled in Galveston. Thomas came in 1830 at age 19 and John in 1839.
Captain Charles Chubb, their father, ran a rope-making business, but both sons entered the shipping
trade instead. Sailing around most of the world, Thomas Chubb ran slaves
from the African Gold Coast to the West Indies, New York and Boston, gaining
great personal wealth. At one time, he even owned a traveling circus.
He built the Federal Street Theater in Boston. Thomas Chubb enlisted in
the Confederate States Army, Texas Marine Division, and received appointment in
September 1861 as Assistant Superintendent of Coastal Defenses of Texas.
The Royal Yacht and the Henrietta engaged in a Battle with superior Union forces
November 8th, 1861 and Thomas was captured. After the Civil War, Thomas
returned to Galveston and served as the Harbor Master until shortly before his
death. Obtaining the rank of Commodore, Thomas Chubb died in
1890. The last ship built by the Chubb's was the Coquette in 1891 and was
most likely built by John. The Gaillard family eventually purchased the
land where the shipyard was located and established Gaillard's Landing.
The Gaillard homestead was east of the landing. The Gaillard holdings
eventually gave way to the oil fields known as the Goose Creek Oil Field.
The Busch Landing later appeared on the east bank of Goose Creek about one mile
north of Gaillard Landing. Garnett Cleveland, Jr.
Ships built on Goose Creek:
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CSS Royal Yacht b:1855 (refitted at Goose Creek Nov 1861 till Oct 1862) - no record of registration to date - Apr 15, 1863 captured as a blockade runner in Key West Florida with 97 bales of "her best cotton". |
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CSS Henrietta - sloop, registration in Galveston - involved in skirmish July 1, 1864 - Captured as a blockade runner off Tampa, Florida by the USS Merrimac with a load of cotton. |
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Marguereta - schooner, no record of registration to date |
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Bagdad - 1864 schooner, no record of registration to date |
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Altha Brooks - schooner, registered CSN Mar 28, 1863 |
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Phoebe - schooner - built prior civil war, registered CSN Nov 28, 1864, named after Thomas' first wife, |
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Final Update 3-29-08 The Marker is officially dedicated in a ceremony at Bayland Park by the Harris County Historical Commission. Updater 2-1-08 The Marker has been placed in Bayland Park close to the boat ramp awaiting the dedication ceremony! Updater 11-16-07 The marker has been picked up by the city for placement at Bayland Park! Updater 11-12-07 The marker has arrived in Baytown! The next step is to have the city install it and then we will schedule the dedication! Updater 9-13-07 I talked to Trevia Beverly and she said the marker is at the forge.
Updater 4-26-07 Marker is
approved and Bayer Material Science has Updater 1-26-07 Awaiting approval by the Historical Commission Updater 5-21-06 The City will decide exactly where the marker will be installed and data is being finalized for presentation to the Harris County Historical Commission July 15, 2006. Updater 4-27-06 Baytown Bert to meet with the Parks Department 5-3-2006 to discuss placing the historical marker on City property. Updater 3-30-06 Bayer Baytown Industrial Park has agreed to sponsor the large historical marker! |
Most published data researched and used by
permission of: Garnett Cleveland, Jr. “Confederate Naval Works of Goose Creek,”
Baytown Vignettes, One Hundred and Fifty Years in the History of a Texas Gulf
Coast Community prepared by John Britt and Muriel Tyssen (Baytown TX: Lee
College. 1992). Please purchase a copy at the Baytown Historical Museum
220 W. Defee
OurBaytown.com would like to acknowledge Trevia
Wooster Beverly - Harris County Historical Commission ,
John Rocco and Cherie Laughlin - Bayer MaterialScience, Garnett Cleveland, Jr.,
Jean L. Epperson.
(This page is under construction)
