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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
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.
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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Historical Center home page.
Page made 16 November 2002
New image added 18 July 2003