Jean Lafitte's pirate ships (1815-21) and Republic of Texas Navy (1836-40s) once sailed here. Galveston Wharves & Cotton Press Company, chartered 1854, built early dock. Confederate marine assaults at sites in vicinity freed the isle city of Federal occupation, 1863. Rum runners allegedly invaded the area in 1920s. Through the years, the Mosquito Fleet docked here among other ships, enriching the city and nation and blending Asian and European fisher customs into Americanisms. The international custom of blessing fishing fleet is observed yearly in Galveston. Fleet is named for boats' insect-like profiles. (1974)