Starting in 1916, Texans built seventeen four- and five-masted sailing ships out of East Texas pine, making a significant contribution in World War I. The ships' careers carried them to Europe, South America, both American coasts, and even eighty miles up the Danube River.
In "Wooden Ships from Texas, " Richard W. Bricker brings to light this fascinating, but little-known, period in Texas maritime history. Bricker unearthed a considerable quantity of archival material, allowing him to describe them and make at least a partial career tracking of each vessel.
The first ship built was...