With Veteran’s Day approaching Balladeer’s Blog will be examining various neglected military actions of the past, including our forgotten wars with Muslim nations.
August 1st, 1801 – The U.S.S. Enterprise engaged in battle with the Muslim ship Tripoli from what is now Libya. This action was part of the First Barbary War, fought over the escalating demands for tribute from the Muslim criminal nations that preyed on Mediterranean shipping.
The Enterprise was commanded by Lt Andrew Sterett and the Tripoli by Muhammad Rous. The Tripoli attacked the Enterprise but Sterett outmaneuvered the Muslim ship and the vessels exchanged fire for roughly three hours before the Tripoli pretended to surrender.
The fake surrender was, even then, an old Muslim tactic. The apparent surrender prompted the American ship to stop firing and move in close to accept the surrender. The Muslims on board the Tripoli then resumed firing and attempted to board the Enterprise when it drew near.
Once again Sterett outmaneuvered the Muslim commander and returned fire. After being outfought a second time the Muslim craft AGAIN offered a false surrender, only to resume firing when the Enterprise moved to accept the surrender.
Yet again the Enterprise engaged in battle with the Tripoli. Once again Muhammad Rous tried the ruse of a false surrender but, showing a wisdom lacking in today’s dealings with Muslim forces, Sterett was not fooled again. (Today the media would depict him as a cruel and ruthless man refusing to let his opponents surrender. His career would then be ended in disgrace.)
The final stage of the battle saw the two crews exchanging pistol fire at close range for nearly another three hours. In the end the Tripoli was left dismasted and barely operational. Muhammad Rous finally offered up a true surrender, which the Americans accepted.
The aftermath was so incredible that if it was featured in a movie we would all scoff at it. The Muslims had 30 dead and at least 30 wounded, while not one American was dead or rendered completely incapacitated with injuries.
David Sterett was rewarded with the thanks of Congress and a special sword. All the officers and men of the Enterprise were granted an extra month’s pay.
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