Tag Archives: First Barbary War

November 11, 2015 · 11:14 pm

MORE AMERICAN BATTLES WITH MUSLIM FORCES

U.S. Naval hero Stephen Decatur

U.S. Naval hero Stephen Decatur

With Veteran’s Day here at last  Balladeer’s Blog takes a last look at additional U.S. military actions against Muslim forces.

*** February 16th, 1804 – On October 31st of the previous year the USS Philadelphia had hit an uncharted reef in the Mediterranean Sea while pursuing a Tripolitan Muslim ship. The Philadelphia had foundered and been seized along with her crew by the Muslims of what is now Libya.

On February 16th of 1804 the naval forces under Commodore Edward Preble pulled off a daring action which today would be considered a commando raid or Navy Seals operation. The objective: destroying the captured Philadelphia which the Muslim forces had refitted to guard Tripoli Harbor. Continue reading →

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November 10, 2015 · 3:50 am

ANOTHER U.S. NAVAL VICTORY OVER MUSLIM NAVIES

Commodore John Rodgers, who was a Captain at the time of this battle.

Commodore John Rodgers, who was a Captain at the time of this battle.

With Veteran’s Day approaching here’s another neglected U.S. military action against Muslim forces.

June 21st, 1803 – I’m skipping ahead to this battle since it featured the USS Enterprise in action again and for pop culture reasons that seemed to really goose the reaction to the previous Enterprise victory. We’re still in the First Barbary War.

Off the coast of what is now Libya the USS Enterprise was maintaining our blockade on the east, the USS Adams on the west and the USS John Adams in the center. The Muslims sent out a polacre plus nine gunboats to do battle. Hundreds of Muslim infantry and cavalry lined the shore, ready to open fire on the American vessels if the battle brought them within range. Continue reading →

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November 9, 2015 · 12:01 am

U.S. NAVY VS MUSLIM NAVIES

Enterprise over the TripoliWith 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.  Continue reading →

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