USS Fox, a 155-ton Davis class torpedo boat built at Portland, Oregon, was commissioned in July 1899. She spent her entire career on the West Coast, based initially at the Mare Island Navy Yard and later at San Diego, California. Like other torpedo boats of her day, Fox was often in reserve. Her periods of active service mainly involved training and experimental duties. After an assignment with the Washington State Naval Militia that began in 1913, USS Fox was stricken from the list of Navy vessels in August 1916. She was sold in October of that year.
USS Fox was named in honor of Gustavus V. Fox (1821-1883), who served as a U.S. Navy Officer from 1838 until 1856 and as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1861-1866.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13).
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 98427 USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) In a West Coast harbor, circa the early 1910s. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C.; donation of BMC E.B. Smith, USNR, 1961. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 93722 U.S. Pacific Fleet Torpedo Craft At a West Coast Port, circa the early 1910s. Ships present are (from front): USS Davis (Torpedo Boat # 12) and USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) ... either could be in the foreground, with her sister immediately behind; USS Farragut (Torpedo Boat # 11); and either Paul Jones (Destroyer # 10), Perry (Destroyer # 11) or Preble (Destroyer # 12). Courtesy of Jack Howland, 1982. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 470 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 53268 USS Iris (1898-1917) In San Diego harbor, California, while serving as torpedo vessel tender for the Pacific Fleet. USS Davis (Torpedo Boat # 12) and USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) are alongside. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 490 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 105443 USS Davis (Torpedo Boat No. 12) and USS Fox (Torpedo Boat No. 13) Off Tatoosh Island, Washington, on 24 May 1912. They were parting company with USS Nero which had towed them from San Francisco, California, to the vicinity of the Puget Sound, Washington, Navy Yard, where they were to join the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Nero was on the first leg of the 1912 Alaskan Radio Expedition. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 430 pixels |
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Photo #: 19-N-14-26-3 USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) Under construction at the Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, 1897. This view was taken from off the vessel's port bow, showing frames in place. Temporary stringers are in use to keep frames aligned until plating is installed. Note the light weight of these frames, and bolts employed to hold plating in place prior to riveting. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 121KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-14-26-1 USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) Under construction at the Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, 30 June 1897. This view shows the vessel's stern, from off the port quarter, with hull plating bolted in place in preparation for riveting. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 122KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-14-26-2 USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) Under construction at the Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, 30 June 1897. This view was taken from off the vessel's starboard quarter, with hull plating bolted in place in preparation for riveting. The bow of USS Davis (Torpedo Boat # 12) is visible at left. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 136KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-14-26-4 USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) In the building shed at the Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, probably shortly before she was launched on 4 July 1898. This view was taken from off the boat's bow. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 98426 USS Fox (Torpedo Boat # 13) In the building shed at the Wolff & Zwicker Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, probably shortly before she was launched on 4 July 1898. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 610 pixels |
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USS Fox is visible in the right background of the following photograph of another ship:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 5 April 2003
New image added 18 May 2008