Rio Bravo SwStr

The Mexican name for the Rio Grande.

Rio Bravo, a light draft, side-wheel steamer, was purchased by the Navy in 1875 for special service on the Rio Grande as requested by Brig. Gen. E. O. C. Ord, USA, commander of the Department of Texas. For 5 years she operated out of Brownsville, cooperating with the military commandant of that city to protect the Ameriean frontier against raiders based in Mexico and to inhibit smuggling into the United States from the free zone in Tamaulipas. She also cooperated with the U.S. consul at Matamoros to protect American citizens during revoluntionary activities in that vicinity. The steamer was transferred to the War Department in June of 1880.

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