Campeche pits sailing warships against steam power

Texas and Yucatan opposed a Mexican squadron that included the iron-hulled Guadalupe and wooden Montezuma. Both paddle frigates carried heavy shell guns and were crewed partly by Britons. After an initial draw, the fleets fought again for about three hours and withdrew with considerable damage. The Mexican blockade was lifted even though Commodore Edwin Ward Moore had sailed against President Sam Houston's wishes. Moore returned a hero and was acquitted after wooden sailing ships achieved the rare result of holding their own against modern steam warships.