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Photo # NH 48937: Captain Isaac Hull.  Stipple engraving by D. Edwin after Gilbert Stuart

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Commodore Isaac Hull, USN, (1773-1843)

Isaac Hull was born in Derby, Connecticut, on 9 March 1773. Early in life he joined his father, a mariner, on local voyages and longer trips to the West Indies. During the mid-1790s Hull commanded several merchant vessels, losing some to French privateers. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the new United States Navy in March 1798 and distinguished himself during the next two years while serving on board the frigate Constitution in the undeclared war with France. When troubles with the Barbary powers heated up in 1802 he went to the Mediterranean as First Lieutenant of the frigate Adams. Hull later commanded the schooner Enterprise and the brig Argus, receiving promotion to the rank of Master Commandant in 1804 and to Captain in 1806. During the next few years he supervised the construction of gunboats and in 1809 and 1810 was successively given command of the frigates, Chesapeake, President and Constitution.

Captain Hull's time on Constitution was eventful. He took the ship on a European cruise in 1811-12, returning home before the War of 1812 broke out between the United States and Great Britain. An enemy squadron closely pursued his ship off the East Coast in July, but Hull skillfully evaded them. On 19 August 1812, Constitution encountered the British frigate Guerriere at sea and pounded her to a wreck in an action that electrified the Nation and demonstrated that the small U.S. Navy was a worthy and dangerous opponent for Britain's otherwise overwhelming maritime might.

Isaac Hull commanded the Portsmouth Navy Yard at Kittery, Maine, for the rest of the War of 1812, then briefly served on the Board of Navy Commissioners in Washington before taking over leadership of the Boston Navy Yard. During 1823-1827 he commanded the U.S. squadron operating along South America's Pacific coast. Commodore Hull's next assignment, as Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard, ran from 1829 until 1835. Between 1839 and 1841 he commanded the Mediterranean Squadron. Rendered unfit for further service by age and ill health, he spend the next two years on leave. Commodore Isaac Hull died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 13 February 1843.

The U.S. Navy has named five ships in honor of Isaac Hull, including: USS Commodore Hull (1862-1865); USS Hull (Destroyer # 6); USS Hull (DD-330); USS Hull (DD-350); and USS Hull (DD-945).

This page features all the views we have of Commodore Isaac Hull, USN, and provides links to other views related to him.

For additional images related to Isaac Hull, see:

  • Commodore Isaac Hull -- Artifacts.


    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 #: KN-10895 (Color)

    Commodore Isaac Hull, USN (1773-1843)

    Oil on canvas, 30" by 25", by Samuel L. Waldo (1783-1862) after Gilbert Stuart, 1834.

    Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Transferred from the U.S. Naval Lyceum, 1892.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 595 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-10895.

     
    Photo #: NH 48939-KN (color)

    Captain Isaac Hull, USN (1773-1843)

    Portrait by Orlando S. Lagman, after Gilbert Stuart, 1967.

    Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 68KB; 615 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 64585-KN (color)

    Captain Isaac Hull, USN (1773-1843)

    Portrait by H. Peterson, after Gilbert Stuart.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 64KB; 595 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 48937

    Captain Isaac Hull, USN


    Stipple engraving by D. Edwin, after Gilbert Stuart, for the "Analectic Magazine".

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 155KB; 420 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 48935

    Captain Isaac Hull, USN


    Fine screen halftone reproduction of an early 19th Century engraving after the Gilbert Stuart portrait.
    The vignette below the main image depicts the 19 August 1812 action between USS Constitution, commanded by Captain Hull, and the British frigate Guerriere.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 104KB; 525 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 61159

    Commodore Isaac Hull, USN


    Pencil sketch by L. Pellegrin, 1841, when Hull was commanding the Mediterranean Squadron.

    Courtesy of Mrs. Lee P. Johnson.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 110KB; 580 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54422

    USS Constitution (1798-____)


    Display of pictures related to the ship, prepared circa 1897.
    Top row contains two views of her action with HMS Guerriere and a view of her leaving Boston Harbor in 1812.
    Middle row has two views of her action with HMS Java and a portrait of Captain Isaac Hull, her Commanding Officer in the first months of the War of 1812.
    Lower row has a view of her action with H.M. Ships Cyane and Levant, a picture of her in 1897, and a view of her escape from the British squadron in 1812.

    Courtesy of Charles H. Taylor, 1935.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 247KB; 1030 x 1125 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 48936

    Captain Isaac Hull, USN


    Contemporary engraving of the gold medal presented by The Congress to Captain Hull in honor of his victory in the 19 August 1812 action between USS Constitution and the British frigate Guerriere.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 94KB; 375 x 765 pixels

     

    Further portraits:

    A portrait in oils of Isaac Hull, painted by John Wesley Jarvis in 1815, is owned by the City of New York. This painting depicts Hull in uniform, with blue embroidered jacket, white pants and boots. He is seen facing the artist, looking slightly to the left, standing full height with his left hand resting on a capstan and his right on his sword hilt. His coat lapel is fully buttoned up. His "fore & aft" uniform hat is resting on the deck by his right foot.

    For additional information on this item, the availability of reproductions and usage rights, contact the New York City Art Commission.

    For additional images related to Isaac Hull, see:

  • Commodore Isaac Hull -- Artifacts.


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


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    Page made 19 January 2003
    Links added 25 Febuary 2003