Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-11-06
"REMINISCENCES OF THE DAYS OF DE
CAIUR

captain HarGouy, has Just returned from a
long and cVenttu cruise arouod the world,
brought home number Of "curios," gathered
in Japan, China, the East Iodles and Africa,
and amocg hem some of exciting interest per-
talDlug to vessel that has its name perma-
uentIy registered III the history of the Amer-
oau Navy. Small though they be, worn and
wasted by the actlOo ot the elemeuts, they
represent all that is known to be left of tt e
famous trigate Philadelphia, which, after va
rlous eVentul aud unplesaD: experiences, inally
!ald away her charred skeleton 10 the hostile
waters OF the Bay Of Irlpoli. A rusty looking,
weather beaten knee OF this historic craft and
few corroded bolts aUd-spikes, gathered hy
the Hartford S officers oD their recent visit TO
lrlpol, and DeatIy boxed aud directed to the
Navy Department, compose all the relics of
that ooted ship They bring to mind her his
tory, which was strange Que. The scenes in
which the old Philadelphia played an mpor.
taut part We're those that developed the heroes
OF the future war with Great Britain. 1t was
in rrlpoll that the Prebles, Decarurs, Hus,
Baiublidges, McDonoughs, Somers, Stewards
and other gallant officers displayed their daring
galIantry and skill that gave to the Ameriaan
Navy world VIDE reputation and established
Its position 10 the h. arts OF our people.
Ii will be remembered that the Phiadel-
the command of Captain Banbridge,
while pursuing large Tripoli,an vessel,
rau on reef of rocks off Tripoii Monday, Oct.
u, 1903. Her cJnSort, the Enterprise was alb
sent on cruise UP the Mediterranean and the
Philadelphia Was alone on her bockading sta
uoo. The trlgate, 10 striking the rocks uuder
press OF sail, ran well up and became fixed
Capt. Bainbrldge, bis officers and crew, did
all 10 their power TO eXtrlcate her from her
dangerous position. Cues, auchors, chains and
such heavy articles as could be got at, we're
taIown overheard, the foremast was cut away,
the water butts started and the water PUMPED
Out but all in vain. The ship was immovuble.
Meanwhile fleet OF nine Tripolitan gunboats
had come out and opened fire upon the untor-
tuDate ship, to which she hau 20 guns that
could be brought TO bear 10 respond, as she
hal hecled over TO port. Night was approach
lGg. the weather was threatening, and addition
al gunooats were coming out TO aid in 6oal
attack, Whcn, upon consultation with his Officers,
the imperouS duty OF hauling down the flag
was left to Capt. Baiubridge. Before this was
doue the magazines were flooded, holes were
bored in the ships bottom, pumps we're cboked
and everything Was done that was thought
Would make sure the fual loss of the vessel.
At i've O'Clock the flag was hauled down, and
soon thereafter the Corsair gunboats came
alongside and the barbarans sWarmed over the
Phladelphla S bulwarks and through the ship
There was 20 difference between officers aDd
men; all plundered their victims without
the slightest mercy. Officers we're stripped
10 the skin, 10 many cases, and Captain Balm
bridge had his cravat torn from his neck, be-
siueS being stripped of bis epauIettes, buttons
aud money. The Americans were taken to
Irlpo that night, paraded before the Bashaw,
and finally consigned to building once occu-
pied by the United States Consul, where they
passed oog and unhappy captivity. Favored
by good weather and aided by large force Of
gonboats aud men, the TriLoIiians after few
days labor, got the trlgate into deep water, re-
paired her, named aud mounted her guns, re.
gained her anchors and chains aud other heavy
articles, and towed her into the bay, auchorng
her about halt mile of the Basbaw castle.
There she was being fitted out for cruise,
when Commodore Preble, commanding the
iiIgate Constitution aud squadron, learned Of
her loss. a Moorish ketch of about fifty tons
had been captured by Lieutenant Stephen D.
catur, iu the Schooner Enterprise, and Com
modore Preble at once determined to make use
OF the prize to destroy the Philadelphia. Deca
tnr asked and received command Of volunteer
party, and 10 company with the brig Sireo,
Lieutenant Charles Stewart, afterwards 20 d
lrousldes,' started frou Syracuse, the head
quarters OF the squadron, for rripoli On the
9th OF February they arrived off the port but
were driven away by gale and did not return
until February l6, the officers and men of toe
ketch, DOW called the Intrepid, living on an
allowance of bread and water. Oo the even.
lnk of the 10th of February 1904, the Intrepid
sailed elsurely into the harbor OF rripoli Deca-
tur Slleutenants were Lawrence, atterward killed
| IN tho nba,apooLo op1 R,;nhr;Jco pb,, NJ
Douough was one of the midshipmen. Her crew
consisted of pilot and sxty-two petty officers
and Seamen, and all souls numbered seventy
j lour. Under the bright rays of the moon. with
Id lair breeze and smooth sea, the Intrepid
moved sileully toward the Philadelphia. All
Out twelve men were hiddeo about the deck
out OF view. When hailed from the Phiadel.
lNa the pilot responded that she was vessel
PROM Morocco, disabled by the gale, without
anchors, and desired to tie to the Phiadel-
phla chains Unsuspicous of the craft the
IiuSselmen sent a boat to help 10 towing the
Intrepid 10 the proper point and 10 moment
ne was ashed fast and Decatur Morris, Law
ence, Balnbridge and other equally gallant
fuien were soon streaming over the Philadel
MA sides on the enemy s.deck. The surprise
mas complete. After sharp encounter the
epar deck Was cleared and the fighting had be-
uc severe on the gun deck. The barbarlans
'usht well, but we're forced at every point
hany being killed or seriously wounded, the
a'anco taking the water: The firing parties
vncc rushed to their stations 10 the lower
sa. Oh the ship and so effective were the
'c5PaFailons "a that the party from the lower hold
au o'rcy ime to reach the deck before the
'Iues ~ burst from the ships ports.
pseltur aud his men we're not on board
:. than twenty minutes, but they had done
,," work 10 the most dashiug and successful
rau' 1u''T' IT. and before the enemy had recovered
nn "" ~, 'aclr amaz,ment the Intrepid was stand
% oW OF the hay, under all sails. aided bv
nd y, 'ul sweeps. Although the shore batteries
pan we g, eoemy's gunboats opened terrific 6re
nd iI .he escaping craft, no one was injured.
barbogs bbg she time the Intrepid was out of the
o S,a,.uu auu Decatur was on the Siren to report
~le"art MS brilliant success, the old Phila