The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-06-24

principal battery. Two of the enemy's cruz
zers lay within two cables length, on the
s,arboard quarter, and their gun boats within
half gun shot on the s,arbord bow. AL the
guns Of the friea;e were mounted and Ioadesi.
Such were the immediate perils that our he
70 ventureS to encounter with single kctch,
beside the other dangers that abound In -
strongly fortified haibor.
Although from the entrance to the place
where the friga,e lay was only three miles,
yet in consequence Of the lightncss of the
wind they did not get within hail Of her until
eleven o'clock. When they hac approached
withio two hundred yards, they were hailed
and ordered 10 anchor, or they would be fired
into. Lieutenant Decatur ordered a Maltese
pilot, who was on board t.e ketch, TO answer
that they had lost tlscir anchors in gaze of
wind on the coast, and therefore could not
comply with their request. BY this time j,
had become quite calm, and they were about
fifty yards from the frigatc. Lieutenant De-
catur ordered small boat that was alongside
OF the kctch, TO take rope and make il fast
to the frigate's lore-chains. This being done
they began TO wharp the ketch alongside. 1t
was not until this moment that the enemy
suspected the character Of their visitor, and
great confusion Immediately ensued. This
enabled or adventures 10 get alongside OF
the frigate, whea Decatur Immediately sprang
oboard, followed by Mr.. Charles Morris, mid
shipman. These TWO we're nearly minute
on the deck before their companions could
succeed in mounting the side. Fortunately,
the Turk: had not sufficiently recovered from
their surprize 10 take advantage of this delay.
They were crowded together on the quarter
deck, perfectly astonished and aghas,, with
out making any attempt to oppose the sssaii-
ing party. As soon as sufficient number OF
our men had gained the deck, to form from;
equal to that Of the enemy. they rushed in
upon them. The Turks stood the assault
but shor, time, and we're completely over
powered. About twenty were killed On the
spot, many jumped overheard, and the rest
fied TO the main n-dcck whittier they were pur-
sued and driven 10 the hold.
After entire possession had been gained Of
the ship, and every thing prepared to Sc, FIRE
to her, a number Of launches were seen row.
ing about the harbor. This determined
Lieutenant Decatur TO remain in the frigate,
from whence better defence could be made
than from on board tho ketch. The enemy
had already commenced firing upon them
from their batteries and castle, and from two
tuHt "C'C iayiiE
that the launches did not attempt TO approach,
he ordered that the ship should be set on fire.,
which was done, at the same time, in d1fcr-
ent parts. AS soon as this was completely
Effected they left her, and such was the rs-
pidity of the fame, that it was with the Ut
most difficulty they preserved the ketch. at
this critical moment most propitious breeze
spraDg up, blowing directly out of the har-
bor, which, in few moments, carried them
beyond the reach Of the enemy's guns and
they made good their retreat without the loss
Of single man, and with but four wounded.
For this gallant and romantic achievement,
Lieutenant Decatur was promoted to the rank
Of post captain, there being at that ,ime no
intermediate grade. This promotion was
particularly gratifying TO him, inasmuch as it
was done with the consent Of the officers ower
whose heads he was raised.
In the ensuing spring, it being determined
10 make an attack upon Tripoii, Commodore
Preble obtalned from the King OF Naple.,the
loan of six gun boats and two bombards,
which he formed into two divisions, and gave
the command Of one Of them TO Captain De-
catur, the other to Lieutenant Somers. The
squadron sailed from Syracuse, consisting Of
the frigate Constitution, the brig Syren, the
schrs. Nautilus and Vixen, and the gun boats.
Having arrived on the coast of Barbary,
they were for some days prevented from ma
king the attack, by adverse wind and wealth
cr; at length, on the morning of the third of
August, the weather being favorable, the
signal was made from the commodore's ship
to prepare for action, the light vessels tow.
ing the gun boats to windward. At nine
O'Clock the signal was made for bombsrding
the town and the enemy's vessels. The gun
boats were cast off, and advanced in line A.
head, led on by captain Decatur, and covered
by tho frigate Constitution, and the brigs and
schooners The enemy's gun.boats were
moored along the mouth of the harbor under
the batteries, and within musket shot. Their
soiis had been taken from them and they were
ordered to sink rathcr than abandon their po-
si,ion. They were aided and covered like
-. t<..< r - #