Between 1866 and 1875, the Texas Navy constructed only one new ship. Commissioned in 1873, she was officially known as a Center Battery Cruiser. The design was typical for its time, and she was the largest ship yet built for the navy. She assumed the role of fleet flagship with the largest guns ever mounted for the Texas Navy: 8" breech loading rifles.
San Jacinto was the second ship to bear the name, and the first ship without the retractable screw. Unlike her predecessors, she did not suffer from excessive drag when the engine was disengaged. She had steam powered ammunition hoists, and was the first ship designed with an armor belt. Eight inches of iron protected the waterline, and uniquely, was bolted to the iron frame with the wooden planking fastened over it.