Confederate Naval Works marker dedicated

“My dad, granddad and uncle sometimes talked about a shipyard at Goose Creek, but they were good storytellers and I didn’t know if it really existed,” said Civil War historian Ralph Wooster, gesturing to the shipyard-less waters on the east bay of Goose Creek.

During his childhood in Baytown, these men had painted pictures in Wooster’s mind. They told him of an epic battle aided by a civilian-built and run shipyard that becomes a key player in the Confederate Army’s fight.

On Saturday, the Harris County Historical Society confirmed the tale.

Around 100 people gathered at Bayland Park to acknowledge the forgotten shipyard and witness the unveiling of a marker erected by the Historical Commission.

Amongst attendees were descendents of shipyards founders - the Chubb brothers.

Historical Commission members said the shipyard was both integral and unique to the war.

After the Confederate government’s plea for civilian help, Thomas and John Chubb decided to build a shipyard and purchased the land that is now Bayland Park.

Situated on the east bank of Goose Creek at the mouth of Tabbs Bay, the land they purchased became Confederate Naval Works during the Civil War.

Texans knew the Union had the industrial advantage during the war and private ventures such as that of the Chubb brothers is what kept the Confederate Army afloat.

The design and structure of ships built at the Goose Creek shipyard were integral to running the Union blockade.

Thomas Chubb also served in the Texas Marine Department, an element of the Confederate States Army operating independently of the Confederate Navy.

Even after the war, the Chubb brothers’ shipyard thrived.

The brothers were commissioned to build ships for the new federal government in addition to working on private vessels at the Goose Creek shipyard.

Wooster said the shipyard site on Goose Creek is only a slice of the contributions that Texans have made to the rich history of the United States.

“I’m of the opinion that Texans have fought in more wars in more states than anyone else,” said Wooster.

He said he has yet to meet anyone who can refute that fact.

“The Naval Works here is a big part of that story,” he said.

As Mayor Stephen DonCarlos and the Harris County Historical Society unveiled the marker, 12-year-old Anna Novak stepped out from the crowd.

A descendent of the Chubb brothers, Novak helped with the unveiling.

The front and second rows of onlookers at the marker dedication ceremony were actually Chubb family descendants.

Novak said the story of the shipyard is “pretty cool.” She said the tale had been forgotten even to those in her own family.

The Goose Creek shipyard later built ships for the federal government and private mariners until Thomas Chubb left the business in 1869. The following year, the Thomas B. Gaillard family purchased the former shipyard and established Gaillard’s Landing. Later, the site became part of the Goose Creek oil fields - starting point of the Exxon Mobil oil dynasty.

The Historical Commission hopes that the new marker will resurrect the story of the shipyard for young and old alike.

“This site has a considerable amount of history,” said DonCarlos. “We hope that from time to time, you all take a moment to reflect on the woven tapestry that is our history, our city, our county and our country.”

Attendees read along in their programs as Historical Commission chair Patrick Van Pelt read the marker inscription aloud:

“In 1854, brothers Thomas and John Chubb bought land in the William Scott League on the east bank of Goose Creek at the mouth of Tabbs Bay. On this site, they established the Chubb Shipyard prior to the Civil War. At the time, Texas shipbuilding was a developing industry. During the war, however, in an effort to compensate for the Union's industrial advantage, the Confederate government encouraged Texans to engage in manufacturing ventures that would aid its miltary effort. The Chubb brothers responded to this call with the Confederate Naval Works at Goose Creek, which built and repaired vessels during the war. Thomas Chubb also served in the Texas Marine Department, an element of the Confederate States Army operating indepently of the Confederate Navy. He obtained the rank of Captain and later became superintendent of the Confederate Naval Works. The design and structure of ships built at the Goose Creek shipyard were integral to the Department's effectiveness in running the Union blockade. The shallow draft of the centerboard schooners made them suitable for blockade running in shallow areas of the Gulf of Mexico, where deep draft vessels could not pass. These successful ships included the Royal Yacht, Bagdad, Phoebe, Henrietta, Marguereta and Altha Brooks. An important contributor to the Texas naval and industrial effort during the Civil War, the Goose Creek shipyard later built ships for the federal government and private mariners until Thomas Chubb left the business in 1869. The following year, the Thomas B. Gaillard family purchased the former shipyard and established Gaillard's Landing. Later, the site became part of the Goose Creek oil fields.”