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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

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

USS Missouri (1842-1843)

USS Missouri, a 3220-ton steam frigate of the Mississippi class, was built at the New York Navy Yard. Commissioned early in 1842, over the next year she demonstrated the then-new steam propulsion technology in the Washington, D.C., area and operated in the Gulf of Mexico. In August 1843, Missouri left the U.S. to convey a U.S. diplomat to Alexandria, Egypt. While at Gibraltar on 26 August 1843, she was accidently set afire, exploded and sank, fortunately without loss of life. Missouri's sunken hulk was later demolished to clear the harbor.

This page features images related to USS Missouri.

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 85238

USS Missouri (1842-1843)
, or
USS Mississippi (1841-1863)

Wash Drawing by R.G. Skerritt, 1903, depicting a steam paddle frigate which is one of these two virtually identical ships.

Courtesy of R.C. Byron.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 50460

USS Missouri (1842-43)


Burning at Gibraltar, 26 August 1843.
Lithograph by Thayer & Co.
The original print bears the text "Conflagration of the U.S. Steam Frigate Missouri, Gibraltar, Aug. 26th 1843. At the moment the order was given to abandon the ship. From a drawing taken on the spot by Geo. B. Souder."

Collection of the New York Naval Shipyard.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 490 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 47228-KN (Color)

USS Missouri (1842-43)


Burning at Gibraltar, 26 August 1843.
Hand-colored lithograph by T.G. Dutton, after a drawing by E. Duncan based on a "sketch made on the spot" by Lt. G.P. Mends. Published by Day & Haghe, Lithographer to the Queen.

Another copy of this print (Photo Number NH 47227-KN, which is not colored) contains the text: "This view represents the falling of the mainmast and the explosion of the last gun, which occurred at the same moment. everybody had quitted the vessel about five minutes previous to this. On the spankerboom is an unfortunate Bear which perished in the flames."
"For Captn. Newton and the Officers of the late United States Steam Frigate Missouri this print is respectfully dedicated by their obedient servant. Edmund Fry"

Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 149KB; 740 x 580 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 95952-KN (Color)

USS Missouri (1842-43)


Burning at Gibraltar, 26 August 1843.
Hand-colored lithograph by T.G. Dutton, after a drawing by E. Duncan from a "sketch made on the spot" by Lt. G. P. Mands. Published by Day & Haghe, Lithographer to the Queen.

The original print bears the text "The explosion of the United States Steam Frigate Missouri, at Gibraltar, Augt. 26th 1843", and
"To Capt. Sir George Sartorius and the officers of H.M.S. Malabar this print is respectfully dedicated by their obedient servant. Edmund Fry"
HMS Malabar is presumably the ship of the line shown in the left foreground.

Courtesy of Commander Joseph A. Telep, USCG(Retired).

Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 

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7 January 1999