Salvadore Catalano, a Sicilian-born sailor, became an American naval hero as a critical player in a secret mission during the First Barbary War.

A native of Sicily, his composure and knowledge of Tripoli Harbor were essential to the mission.

Image: Library of Congress

1/7
In one of the most courageous actions in American naval history, Catalano piloted the Intrepid for Lieutenant Stephen Decatur’s destruction of the captured USS Philadelphia in Tripoli Harbor in 1804.

Image: U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection/U.S. Navy Photograph

2/7
The mission to destroy the USS Philadelphia was perilous. Pirates (also called Corsairs) on board the Philadelphia hailed Decatur, but it was Catalano who answered, buying time for the Intrepid crew to attach ropes to the Philadelphia to pull the vessels together.

3/7
Caught by surprise and lacking preparation for the fierce attack by the Americans, the pirates lost twenty men, and the rest jumped into the harbor.

Image: Library of Congress

4/7
Catalano came to the United States in 1805 and was admitted to the U.S. Navy as a reward for his brave and heroic service, on the recommendation of Decatur, depicted here, now a Captain.

Image: Library of Congress

5/7
The Decatur House, on the northwest corner of Lafayette Square, is our current headquarters. Decatur and his wife Susan financed the construction of the house with prize money he was awarded after his naval conquests in the War of 1812.

Image: WHHA

6/7
Listen to our 1600 Sessions podcast for more on the rich history of Decatur House: whitehousehistory.org/1600-sessions/…

7/7

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with White House History

White House History Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @WhiteHouseHstry

26 Feb
This #FirstLadyFriday, we recognize the many women who served as “surrogate” White House hostesses. Typically, first ladies are the wives of presidents, but daughters, nieces, sisters, daughters-in-laws, and friends have stepped into this significant role.

1/6
President Thomas Jefferson, whose wife, Martha, passed away nearly two decades before his inauguration, was the first president to be joined by surrogate hostesses at the White House.

2/6
His daughters, Martha Jefferson Randolph (pictured here) and Maria Jefferson Eppes, welcomed guests to the Executive Mansion, dined with visitors, and managed enslaved and free servants.

Image: Library of Congress

3/6
Read 6 tweets
25 Feb
After his farewell speech at the entrance to the White House on September 7, 1825, an emotional Marquis de Lafayette embraced President John Quincy Adams, signalling the end of his yearlong triumphant return to the United States.

Image: White House Historical Association

1/5
Originally intended as a four-month tour, the general’s visit stretched into a thirteen-month journey to all twenty-four states, and inspired patriotic celebrations and expressions across a young country during the waning days of the “Era of Good Feelings.”

2/5
President Adams could not allow the general to leave without one last celebration in his honor. Adams celebrated Lafayette’s September 6 birthday with a White House dinner.

Image: White House Collection/White House Historical Association

3/5
Read 6 tweets
28 Jan
Vice President John Tyler, a former Democrat from Virginia, ascended to the presidency as a member of the Whig Party following the death of President William Henry Harrison in 1841. (1/6)

Image Credit: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
As president, Tyler vetoed a bill to recharter the Second Bank of the United States, along with several bills proposed by fellow Whigs and sponsored by Henry Clay, a prominent Whig member of the U.S. Senate. (2/6)

Image Credit: Library of Congress
Following his veto, members of his party expelled Tyler from the Whig Party, and every member of Tyler’s cabinet eventually resigned, with the exception of Secretary of State Daniel Webster (pictured here). (3/6)

Image Credit: Library of Congress
Read 6 tweets
27 Jan
Upon moving into the White House, each president redecorates the Oval Office to make it their own. The president’s desk is perhaps the most important piece of furniture chosen for the room. (1/8)

Image Credit: White House Historical Association Image
Many American presidents have elected to use historical White House desks for their workspace. (2/8)
The Resolute Desk, for example, was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880, and has been used by many presidents, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. (3/8)

Image Credit: WHHA Image
Read 8 tweets
26 Jan
President Franklin D. Roosevelt was an avid collector of stamps, coins, first edition books, and naval art. (1/12)
While he is best known for his stamp collecting, President Roosevelt also amassed a collection of over 400 model ships throughout his lifetime and displayed many of them at the White House. (2/12)

Image Credit: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum / NARA Image
While the president purchased most of his model ships, others were given to him as gifts by family members, friends, admirers, or foreign dignitaries. (3/12)
Read 12 tweets
2 Oct 20
The Resolute desk is one of the best-known objects in the White House, having been used by many presidents as their Oval Office desk. A brass plaque on the desk reads: (1/6)

Image Credit: White House Historical Association Image
“The H.M.S. Resolute, forming part of the expedition sent in search of Sir John Franklin in 1852, was abandoned in Latitude 74º 41' N. Longitude 101º 22' W. on 15th May 1854.” (2/6)
“She was discovered and extricated in September 1855, in Latitude 67º N. by Captain Buddington of the United States Whaler George Henry.” (3/6)
Read 6 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!