From the Annals of Industrial Progress –   In 1837, the Morgan Lines’  steamship Columbia arrived in New Orleans.  This was the first voyage of the first steamship line in Texas.  The Morgan Line was founded by shipping and railroad magnate Charles Morgan.  The Morgan Line later expanded its shipping into a new port called Powderhorn, which grew into Indianola and was a chief port of the line until destroyed by a hurricane. By 1858 the Morgan Line was operating three trips a week between Galveston and New Orleans, and by 1860 the company had a monopoly on coastal shipping.

Painting of the Morgan Line steamer Lone Star from http://www.maritimetexas.net