NH 65536-KN, Michele Felice Cornè

Photo #: nh 65536-kn (color) bombardment of tripoli, 3 august 1804 oil by michael felice corne,[sic] depicting commodore edward preble's squadron engaging the tripolitan gunboats and fortifications during the afternoon of 3 august 1804. U. S. Navy vessels shown in the foreground are, from left to right: schooner enterprise, schooner nautilus, brig argus, brig siren (or syren), schooner vixen, mortar boat dent, gunboat somers, frigate constitution (preble's flagship), mortar boat robinson, and gunboat blake. Attacking the enemy flotilla in the center background are lieutenant stephen decatur's three gunboats and a gunboat commanded by lieutenant james decatur, who was killed in this action. Courtesy of the u. S. Naval academy museum, annapolis, maryland. U. S. Naval history and heritage command photograph.