DECATUR DESTROYS CAPTURED FRIGATE USS PHILADELPHIA
Tripoli, North Africa (JFK+50) On February 16, 1804, Lt. Stephen Decatur led a force of 74 men on a mission here in Tripoli harbor. It was during the war between the United States and the "Barbary pirates".
The objective of the mission was to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia*. The frigate, which was captured by the Pirates on October 31, 1803, was considered "too great a prize" to be left in the hands of the enemy.
Disguised as Maltese sailors, Decatur's men were able to capture or kill the pirates on board the Philadelphia and then set it on fire.
Later in 1804, Decatur returned to Tripoli and became the hero of the "Battle of the Gunboats".
*USS Philadelphia was a 1240 ton 36 gun sailing frigate built 1798-99. The ship was designed by Josiah Fox & launched on Nov 28, 1799.
Tripoli, North Africa (JFK+50) On February 16, 1804, Lt. Stephen Decatur led a force of 74 men on a mission here in Tripoli harbor. It was during the war between the United States and the "Barbary pirates".
The objective of the mission was to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia*. The frigate, which was captured by the Pirates on October 31, 1803, was considered "too great a prize" to be left in the hands of the enemy.
Disguised as Maltese sailors, Decatur's men were able to capture or kill the pirates on board the Philadelphia and then set it on fire.
Later in 1804, Decatur returned to Tripoli and became the hero of the "Battle of the Gunboats".
*USS Philadelphia was a 1240 ton 36 gun sailing frigate built 1798-99. The ship was designed by Josiah Fox & launched on Nov 28, 1799.
Burning of the USS Philadelphia
by Edward Moran (1897)
Naval History & Heritage Command
Photo #KN-10849
