The frigate Philadelphia in Tripoli Harbor, 16 February 1804, by Edward Moran (1829–1901). Previously captured by the Tripolitans, the frigate was boarded and burned by a party from the ketch Intrepid led by Lieutenant Stephen Decatur.

A Daring Little Ketch

When the coastal trading vessel Mastico sailed from Tripoli Harbor in North Africa in December 1803, her master set a course into the dangerous waters of the Mediterranean.

June 2024
A contemporary lithograph “sketched and drawn on stone by Parsons; lithographed and published by Endicott & Co., New York,” shows the ship uncluttered by sails.

The Service’s White Elephant

Perhaps the least known of the U.S. Navy’s Civil War–era ironclads was a highly innovative, technologically advanced, high-freeboard seagoing ship built solely to battle the Royal Navy.

March 2024
Shown in her early configuration in a circa 1900 photograph, the Iowa (Battleship No. 4) wears a white and buff paint scheme. Of interest is that while the border between the two colors is at the forecastle deck level, the aft main turret, on the main deck one level lower, is painted in both colors.

The Segue Ship

In the wake of the Civil War, the U.S. Navy was stagnant.

J. M. Caiella
February 2024
The Hoga battles fires on the battleship Nevada (BB-36) while lashed to the big ship’s bow. She still bears a dent in her hull, allegedly as a result of this event.

The Littlest Hero

Up the Arkansas River is the home of a U.S. Navy icon, one of only two surviving ships from the 7 December 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

November 2023
The Eastwind is shown off the coast of Greenland in her World War II state, including her Arctic camouflage. Note the twin dual 5-inch/38-caliber gun houses fore and aft.

The Other Capture

Soon after the end of World War II in Europe, hitherto secrets of the fight against Germany became more widely known. One of the major headline-grabbing stories was the revelation ...

J. M. Caiella
October 2023
midget submarine X-1

The Smallest Boat

During World War II, four major combatants—Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Japan—used midget submarines with varying degrees of success.

J. M. Caiella
August 2023
Battle between HMS Frolic and the USS Wasp is depicted in this early 19th-century painting by Thomas Birch.

Two Navies, Three Names

Wasp is among the oldest and most revered names of U.S. Navy ships.

J. M. Caiella
June 2023
the Lightning

Prelude to the Beginning

The Lightning could contribute nothing to the newer technology, thus she simply faded away, including from the record books.

J. M. Caiella
April 2023
USS Pueblo

‘Ultimately, Alone’

The second oldest active commissioned U.S. Navy warship began life as an Army vessel crewed by U.S. Coast Guardsmen.

J. M. Caiella
January 2023