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AI-generated image depicting the TNS Zavala based on a model located at the Texas Maritime Museum
TNS Zavala Squadron
Iron Steam and Lone Star Colors
A Song of the TNS Zavala
TNS Zavala Squadron and Texas Navy Essay Contest
The TNS Zavala Squadron will soon announce its 2026-2027 Essay Contest for 8th Grade Students. The Eighth-Grade winner from 2025-2026 is Lillie Blacka who is a homeschool student residing in Rockport and submitted her essay through the HoneyRidge House of Studies Tutoring Facility. The Seventh-Grade winner from 2025-2026 is Sadie Schoppe who is also a homeschool student from Honeyridge House of Studies Tutoring Facility, residing in Aransas Pass. Both students were awarded checks for $250, a plaque, and some Squadron merchandise during the Squadron's April 2026 meeting. Sadie's essay was submitted to the Texas Navy Association for the statewide competition and won the statewide contest! She will receive her state awards at the Texas Navy Association all-members meeting on Nov 14, 2026, to be held at the Rockport Yacht Club in Rockport. Congratulations to both students for their excellent essays on "The Battle of Campeche and Its Historical Significance!"
The TNS Zavala was the first steam warship to ever serve in battle for either the Texas Navy or the US Navy. Originally operating along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard as the passenger steam packet, Charleston, the Republic of Texas purchased (under false pretenses to avoid violating the U.S. neutrality law) and renamed her after Texas’ first vice president, Lorenzo de Zavala. Our members promote the history of the Zavala and the second Texas Navy under Commodore Moore along with the history of the Republic of Texas' struggle for independence from Mexico in 1835 - 1846. With the Texas Maritime Museum as our home port, we have the good fortune and opportunity to promote Texas maritime history more broadly. We are affiliated with the Texas Navy Association as a separately formed Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions are normally tax-deductible depending on your individual tax situation.
We are actively recruiting new members and invite you to join us. Our squadron's Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompasses the Texas Coastal Bend, from the counties of Matagorda to Cameron and inland from the counties of Colorado to Hidalgo. We meet quarterly at centrally located venues in our AOR.
Mission
and promote awareness of the Texas Navy's crucial importance during the Texas Revolution and the years of the Republic.
What We Do
Our quarterly meetings, rotated among several Coastal Bend venues, include presentations on Republic of Texas history, Texas maritime history, and related topics. Each year the squadron participates in the Texas Navy Association's Essay Contest for eighth grade students, presenting an award to a student from our AOR who goes on to compete at the state level. Members of the Zavala Squadron also enjoy membership at the Texas Maritime Museum, the official maritime museum of the State of Texas. Squadron member dues of $80 provide up to a $40 discount applied to the level of Texas Maritime Museum membership chosen (the museum offers a discount off their membership for Seniors (65+), Veterans, Active-duty military, First responders, and Educators.) In conjunction with the Texas Maritime Museum, the squadron participates in Texian Navy Week activities each September providing members with more history programming and commemorative festivities. Texas history forms the core of our mission and activities, and the fellowship we share makes it fun.
Some of you may already be members of our parent organization, the Texas Navy Association (TNA), a nonprofit whose mission is to promote the history of the Texas Navy statewide. Currently, the TNA is partnered with the United States Navy in a search for the wreckage of the TN Invincible, one of four ships in the First Texas Navy. She wrecked on a sand bar while two Mexican men-of-war pursued her. TNA membership levels may be viewed at TNA Membership.
Commissioned Admirals in the Texas Navy, TNA Line Officers (e.g., Commanders and Lieutenants), or other individuals interested in the mission of the squadron as Associates are encouraged to apply for membership. Applications are processed through the Texas Maritime Museum, where you may view and select your museum membership level, then select the option for joining the TNS Zavala Squadron. Apply for membership at Become a Member - Texas Maritime Museum (or you may scan the QR Code). Select the level of membership you want at the museum and continue with completing the additional information. If you are already a member of TMM, scroll down and select the TNS Zavala Squadron to complete the information. Questions may be sent to TNSZavala@gmail.org.
Members receive an e-mailed TNS Zavala Squadron Newsletter (published the month prior to each quarterly meeting) as well as the Texas Maritime Museum Newsletter when it is published. These publications are full of information regarding events and historical information of interest. The TNS Zavala Squadron Bylaws, as approved on 26 April 2025, may be viewed here.
What's Ahead for TNS Zavala Squadron?
Our next Squadron meeting will occur on October 17, 2026. Details for date and location are posted in the Zavala Calendar, where you can also see additional upcoming events.
Squadron Commander - ADM Brad Chilcote
Executive Officer - ADM Jason Gunning
Financial Officer - George Krapfel
Texas History Liaison Officer - Gerilyn Hibbeler
TNA Board Representative - ADM Tom Rodino
Sergeant-At-Arms - Ronnie Crisp
Squadron Chaplain - ADM Jerry Brundrett
Recent Squadron Activities
| Aransas County Texas Navy Day The Squadron was an active participant in the Texas Navy Day held at the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport on September 12, 2026. In addition to the Squadron booth, Admiral Chilcote presented "The Independence: From Revenue Cutter to Captured Loss, 1835-1837" and Admiral Kneupper presented "The First Hero of the Texas Navy ... Was a Civilian!" Over twelve Texas Navy Admirals attended (some are pictured in the Museum Education Room to the bottom-right.) The Squadron also premiered the new three-part video series covering the history of the TNS Zavala - soon to be posted on the Squadron's YouTube channel. Over 60 people attended the event and enjoyed the presentations, food, and "grog" (apple-cider with cinnamon) - where adults were also provided an opportunity to sample Texas Navy Rum. |
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| The Squadron honored the USS COOPERSTOWN (LCS-23) and her Commanding Officer, Jesse M. DuParc, USN, by delivering a welcoming resolution prepared by the Texas Navy Association when the ship was in the Port of Corpus Christi for maintenance and repairs, Admiral Chilcote was accompanied by ADM Gunning, ADM Rodino, and CAPT Berthau, USCG on Friday, June 26th. The resolution commends Commander DuParc, a proud native of San Antonio, for his exemplary leadership and representation of Texas values on the world’s oceans. It also recognizes USS COOPERSTOWN as a symbol of American heritage, naval excellence, and the enduring legacy of the 70 Baseball Hall of Famers who served in the nation in uniform; expressing gratitude for the dedication of its officers and crew to maritime security and their embodiment of the proud spirit of “America’s Away Team.” |
| Admiral Chilcote presented "The Three Texas Navies and the Role of the TNS Zavala in the Tabascan Campaign" on March 23, 2026, as a part of the Texas Maritime Museum's Winter Lecture Series. The presentation included the TNA Video on the Three Texas Navies, followed by a PowerPoint presentation covering the TNS Zavala "from cradle to grave to recovery" with a focus on its role supporting the Yucatecans in their victory over the Mexican Centralists in San Juan Bautista. Attendees included people from Texas and other states and was very well-received. |
On January 17, 2026, the Squadron held its first meeting to the year. The first new member of 2026, Susan Thurlow, received her member certificate. We were honored to have the new Texas Navy Association President, Kathy Howell, in attendance. She is the first female to lead the association and provided an update of news and activities such as the search for the Invincible and upcoming Shrimp Boil on April 11. The program was presented by CAPT Torrey Bertheau, Corpus Christi Sector Commander for the US Coast Guard. A total of 21 members and guests attended, and the Squadron Ship Store was opened for guests to visit. |
Disclaimer: The Media posted to these pages is the sole property and responsibility of the Squadron posting the material. Texas Navy Association has no responsibility or liability nor editorial input, for any form of Media posted. Texas Navy Association does not endorse or promote any views represented by material posted on a specific Squadron page nor is the Texas Navy Association responsible for any copy write or source material contained in a posting. Squadrons are independent from the Texas Navy Association and operate under “approved affiliation” and cooperation as approved by the Texas Navy Association. “This statement may be reviewed and updated as needed.’