Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 44647-KN:  'Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat', 3 August 1804.  Painting by Dennis Malone Carter.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN, (1779-1820) --
Actions & Activities


This page features, and provides links to, views of Commodore Stephen Decatur's actions and activities.

For more images of Stephen Decatur's actions, see:

  • Burning of the Frigate Philadelphia, 16 February 1804.

    For other pictorial coverage on Commodore Decatur, see:

  • Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN, (1779-1820).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 44647-KN (Color)

    "Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat",
    during the bombardment of Tripoli, 3 August 1804

    Oil by Dennis Malone Carter, 43" x 59", depicting Lieutenant Stephen Decatur (lower right center) in mortal combat with the Tripolitan Captain.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 52512-KN (Color)

    "Decatur Boarding the Tripolitan Gunboat",
    during the bombardment of Tripoli, 3 August 1804

    Oil by Orlando S. Lagman, 1965, after the painting by Dennis Malone Carter. It depicts Lieutenant Stephen Decatur (lower right center) and Midshipman Thomas Macdonough in action during the boarding of the Tripolitan vessel.

    Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 585 pixels

     
    Photo #: KN-10949 (Color)

    "Stephen Decatur's Conflict with the Algerine at Tripoli", during the boarding of a Tripolitan gunboat on 3 August 1804.

    Oil over print on canvas, 30" by 25", by an unidentified artist, after Alonzo Chappell (1829-1887).

    Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Gift of Chester Dale, 1942.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

    Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 575 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-10949

     
    Photo #: KN-2587 (Color)

    "Stephen Decatur at Tripoli",
    during the boarding of a Tripolitan gunboat on 3 August 1803

    Oil on canvas, 29" by 39", by William A.K. Martin (1817-1867), signed and dated by the artist, 1851.
    It depicts Lieutenant Stephen Decatur in hand-to-hand combat with a Tripolitan.

    Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Gift of Friends of the U.S. Navy, 1941.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

    Online Image: 121KB; 590 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-2587

     
    Photo #: NH 56753

    "Decatur's Conflict with the Algerine at Tripoli."

    "Reuben James interposing his head to save the life of his commander"

    Engraving, after a painting by Alonzo Chappel, published by Johnson, Wilson & Co., New York, 1874.
    It depicts Lieutenant Stephen Decatur in mortal combat off Tripoli in 1804, with Boatswain's Mate Reuben James acting to protect Decatur from an enemy swordsman.
    This incident reportedly took place during the boarding of USS Philadelphia on 16 February 1804, but the scene as depicted more closely resembles the fight to capture a Tripolitan gunboat on 3 August 1804. In addition to Reuben James, Daniel Frazier has also been credited with this act of heroism.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 113KB; 455 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 2385

    "Decatur's Struggle with the Algerines"


    Line engraving by W. Ridgway after an artwork by F.O. Darley, published during the 19th Century. It depicts the battle on board a Tripolitan gunboat during the U.S. Navy's bombardment of Tripoli, 3 August 1804. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur is in the center, engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Powell Collection.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 169KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50527

    "Captain Decatur wounded"


    Engraving after an artwork by J.O. Davidson, published circa the later 19th Century, depicting the wounding of Captain Stephen Decatur during the action between USS President, under his command, and a British squadron, 15 January 1815.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 181KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     

    For more images of Stephen Decatur's actions, see:

  • Burning of the Frigate Philadelphia, 16 February 1804.

    For other pictorial coverage on Commodore Decatur, see:

  • Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN, (1779-1820).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 17 November 2002
    New image added 24 November 2002