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Photo # NH 54645:  USS Decatur running trials in 1902

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Decatur (Destroyer # 5), 1902-1920

USS Decatur, a 420-ton Bainbridge class destroyer, was built at Richmond, Virginia. Commissioned May 1902, she operated in the western Atlantic area with other torpedo vessels until December 1903, when she began a long eastbound voyage to the Orient by way of the Suez Canal. Upon arrival in the Philippines in April 1904, Decatur began more than thirteen years on the Asiatic Station. Brief periods out of commission punctuated her active service as part of the small Naval force the United States maintained in the Far East to look after its interests and to defend the Philippine Islands.

The U.S. entry into World War I brought Decatur back to the Atlantic. Leaving the Philippines in early August 1917, she began anti-submarine patrol and escort duty out of Gibraltar a few months later. This lasted until the end of the fighting in November 1918. Soon afterwards Decatur returned to the U.S. East Coast. Decommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in June 1919, the old destroyer was sold for scrapping in January 1920.

USS Decatur was named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), one of the United States Navy's greatest heros and leaders of the first two decades of the 19th Century.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have related to USS Decatur (Destroyer # 5).

For more pictures related to this ship, see:

  • USS Decatur (Destroyer # 5) -- Part II.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

    Photo #: NH 54645

    USS Decatur
    (Destroyer # 5)

    Steaming at high speed, while running trials in 1902.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 585 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 85775

    USS Decatur
    (Destroyer # 5)

    At anchor in Long Island Sound, circa 1903.
    The original was a color-tinted postal card.

    Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN(MSC), 1977.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 74073

    USS Decatur
    (Destroyer # 5)

    Photographed circa 1907, while stationed in Asiatic waters.
    Note the air scoops fitted to her portholes.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 86540

    USS Decatur
    (Destroyer # 5)

    Off Olongapo Naval Station, Philippine Islands, prior to World War I.

    Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN(MSC), 1978.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54646

    USS Decatur
    (Destroyer # 5)

    Stern view, taken while she was in dry dock at Gibraltar in 1918.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Fred Iverson collection.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 545 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54647

    USS Decatur
    (Destroyer # 5)

    Bow view, taken while she was drydocked at Gibraltar, 1918.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Fred Iverson collection.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 106KB; 540 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98173

    USS Dale
    (Destroyer # 4)
    and
    USS Decatur (Destroyer # 5)

    Fitting out at the William R. Trigg Company shipyard, Richmond, Virginia, 29 June 1901.
    The photographer was standing on Dale's after superstructure, looking forward and to starboard, with Decatur at the right.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     


    The following photographs show either USS Decatur or her sister ship, USS Dale (Destroyer # 4):

    Photo #: NH 45793

    Destroyer leading Torpedo Boats during maneuvers, circa 1903


    The destroyer is either Dale (Destroyer # 4) or Decatur (Destroyer # 5). The three torpedo boats in left center are of the Blakely class (Torpedo Boat #s 27 through 35).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45794

    Destroyer manuevers with Torpedo Boats, circa 1903


    The destroyer is either Dale (Destroyer # 4) or Decatur (Destroyer # 5).
    The three torpedo boats in left center are of the Blakely class (Torpedo Boat #s 27 through 35). The two at right are of the Bagley class (Torpedo Boat #s 24 through 26).

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 90204

    USS Dale
    (Destroyer # 4), or
    USS Decatur (Destroyer # 5)

    Crewmen pose informally on the forward gun platform, in the Philippines, circa 1912.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson. Donated by Mrs. Pauline M. Wilson, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 90KB; 560 x 765 pixels

     

    Note: In addition to the views referenced above, Photo # NH 61544-B was taken from USS Decatur during the First Torpedo Flotilla's transit of the Mediterranean Sea, circa late 1903 or early 1904.

    Photo # NH 54426, a view of a destroyer coaling in the Philippine Islands in about 1916, was originally identified as showing USS Decatur. However, details of the ship's structure demonstrate that this is incorrect, and that the ship seen is actually USS Bainbridge (Destroyer # 1), USS Barry (Destroyer # 2), or USS Chauncey (Destroyer # 3).


    For more pictures related to this ship, see:

  • USS Decatur (Destroyer # 5) -- Part II.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 16 November 2002
    New image added 18 July 2003