This battle is believed to be unique, marking the only occasion in which a sailing warship engaged and fought a steam-powered warship to a draw. The battle, which raged over several days, was a tactical draw, but a strategic victory for the Texan Navy, which forced the Mexicans to lift their blockade of Campeche and assured security in the meantime for the rebels in Yucatan. Other ships of the Texas Navy at the time included the brigs Potomac and Archer, the schooners San Jacinto, San Antonio and the San Bernard, and the Zavala, the first steamship-of-war in North America. Disbandment When Texas joined the United States in 1846, the Texas Navy was merged into the United States Navy. Texas Marines The Texas Marines, officially the Marine Corps of the Republic of Texas, were the naval infantry of the Texas Navy tasked with enforcing discipline aboard ships, providing security at shore stations, sharpshooting, and naval boarding. It was officially established on 14 January 1836 and modeled after the United States Marine Corps. Land grant dispute Background Land promised in advance of military service is called a bounty, which is a military tradition dating back beyond the Roman Empire, and was a well-established tradition in American military history prior to hostilities in Texas during the revolution. The founders of the Republic of Texas attempted to bolster recruitment into the armed forces through the generous inducement of land for military service. The policy in Texas was inconsistent, as not all Texas veterans were treated equally. Veterans of the Texas Navy, due to political rivalries, were excluded from taking part in the land-granting policies, or "unnecessary extravagance", as it was explained by President Sam Houston at the time of his veto. Texas passed its first bounty act on 24 November 1835, when the general council created a regular army and promised those who served in it for two years of land. After the revolution, the Texas government distributed the public lands, especially to veterans. In all, was granted to veterans of the Texas army, or to Confederate soldiers in Texas. Not one of those nearly was granted for naval service, despite the importance of naval actions in the Gulf during the revolution. "The fact remains that Texas could not have won her independence and maintained it as she did, without the navy," said Texas Navy historian Alex Dienst. It has been said that if