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Photo # NH 53249:  U.S. Ketch Intrepid.  Sketch by Midshipman William Lewis

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

USS Intrepid (1804)

USS Intrepid, a 64-ton ketch, was originally built in France in 1798 for use in Napoleon's Egyptian campaign. Subsequently sold to Tripoli and named Mastico, she participated in the capture of USS Philadelphia on 31 October 1803 and was herself captured by USS Enterprise while en route to Constantinople, Turkey, on 23 December of that year.

Taken into the U.S. Navy early in 1804 and renamed Intrepid, the ketch was placed under the command of Lieutenant Stephen Decatur and assigned a risky, but essential task: the destruction of the captured Philadelphia, whose presence in enemy hands threatened the U.S. Naval position in the Mediterranean. On the night of 16 February 1804, Decatur and his men sailed Intrepid into Tripoli harbor, boarded the ex-American frigate and set her afire. While the attackers made good their escape, the Philadelphia was consumed by the flames and sank.

Following this action, Intrepid was inactive for some months, but during the summer of 1804 she was employed as a hospital and supply vessel, supporting the ongoing campaign against Tripoli. In late August she was outfitted with a large explosive charge, for use in an attempt to destroy much of the enemy fleet then moored in Tripoli harbor. On 4 September 1804, under the command of Lieutenant Richard Somers, Intrepid sailed on this dangerous mission. Apparently intercepted by the enemy while entering the harbor, she was destroyed in a violent explosion. Somers and his dozen volunteer officers and men perished with her.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have related to USS Intrepid (1804).

For other images related to this ship, see:

  • Burning of the Frigate Philadelphia, 16 February 1804.


    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 53249

    U.S. Ketch Intrepid
    (1804)

    Contemporary sketch by Midshipman William Lewis, with a description reading:
    "The Ketch Intrepid taken by the Constitution of(f) Tripoli in Dec. 1803. Was the vessel with which Capt. Decatur burnt the Philadelphia in Feby 1804. She served as a store vessel off Tripoli and was at last turned into an Infernal in order to blow up part of the Bashaw's castle. In this unfortunate attempt she was blown up & all her crew perished. Cpt. Sommers, Lieuts. Wadsworth & Israel & 10 or 12 men. 4th Septr. '04."

    The original sketch was in the possession of Captain C.W. Cook, O.R.C.U.S.A., 1925.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53250

    U.S. Ketch Intrepid
    (1804)

    19th Century painting by G. Brooking, depicting Intrepid off Tripoli in 1804, illuminated by moonlight.

    Courtesy of Mr. J.M. Brotherhood, 1951.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 133KB; 740 x 640 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53248

    "Blowing Up of the Fire ship Intrepid commanded by Capt. Somers in the Harbour of Tripoli on the night of the 4th Sepr. 1804"


    Contemporary line engraving.
    Text on the original, below the title line, reads:
    "Before the Intrepid had gained her Destined situation she was suddenly boarded by 100 Tripolines, when the Gallant Somers and Heroes of his Party, Lieuts. Wadsworth and Israel and 10 Men, observed themselves surrounded by 5 Gun-boats, and no prospect of Escape, determined at once to prefer Death and the Destruction of the Enemy, to Captivity & a torturing Slavery, put a Match to train leading directly to the Magazine, which at once blew the whole into the Air."
    Descriptions directly below the image are (from left to right):
    "Bashaw's Castle and Fort";
    "Harbour of Tripoli";
    "Fireship blowing up ...";
    "Tripoline Gun Boats": and
    "American Squadron".

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 187KB; 740 x 625 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-707157

    Ceremonies at Tripoli, Libya, 2 April 1949


    Conclusion of memorial ceremonies for five unknown Sailors killed in the explosion of the U.S. Ketch Intrepid in Tripoli harbor on 4 September 1804. Attended by the crew of USS Spokane (CLAA-120), the ceremonies took place at Tripoli's Protestant Christian cemetary.
    Those present are (from left to right):
    Captain William Marshall, Spokane's Commanding Officer
    Orray Taft, U.S. Consul at Tripoli;
    Rear Admiral Richard H. Cruzen, Commander Cruiser Division Two; and
    Prince Taher Bey Karamanli of Libya.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     

    For other images related to this ship, see:

  • Burning of the Frigate Philadelphia, 16 February 1804.


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


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    Page made 24 November 2002