The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-10-14
Decatur Home in WashinQtonD.c.

until 1903 that the third squadron sent out by
the United States gathered at Gibraltar under
the command of Commodore Edward Preble one
of whose Heutenants was Stephen Decatur, the
son of another Of the same name who had COM
manded an American privateer during the Revo-
luton
After several bloodless encounters, Preble as
signed two American vessels, the famous Phil
adelphia and the Vixen, to the task of blockad-
ing Tripoli. This was exceedingly difficult be-
cause the coast was a high, dangerous one full
of reefs, shoals and strong, unknown currents
as well as being harassed by strong winds. The
difficulty of the situation became acute when
the Vixen made off toward the east in search of
a TripoIitan cruiser and the Philadelphia, a
deep-draught frigate. fell heir to the duties Of
in-shore chasing.
During the course of this duty the Philadel-
phia a reef. Immediately the Tripolitans
swarmed about the ship and her commander,
Capt Richard Bainbridge, was forced to sur
render cambridge tried to sink the ship to
prevent her falling in the enemy's hands, but
failed. He and his men were thrown in a dun
geon in Tripoli and within a week the pirates
had the Philadelphia reftted and ready for ac-
ton against the Americans
Commodore Preble. hearing of the catastro-
phe, determined upon a vigorous course of &C
ton and making good promise given Decatur,
indicated that the latter was to head the peril
GUS expedition he had projected Preble first
had thought that re-capture of the Philadelphia
would be possible. but upon mature considera-
ton resolved that her destruction was the only
course. Plans were carefully worked out, and
finally Decatur received these instructions from
his commander:
"It is my order that you proceed to Tripoli in
company with Lieutenant Stewart enter that
harbor in the night. board the Philadelphia burn
her and make good your retreat with the In
trepid If possible, unless you can make her the
means of destroying the enemy's vessels in the
harbor. by converting her into ire-ship for
that purpose, and retreating In your boats and
those of the Siren. You must take fixed am
munition and apparatus for the frigate's -
Founders. and If you can, without risking too
much. you may endeavor to make them the in
struments of destruction to the shipping and
bashaw's castle.
You viii provide all the necessary combusti-
bles for burning and destroying ships. The de-
struction of the Philadelphia is an object of
great Importance. and rely with confidence on
your interpidity and enterprise to effect It
Lieutenant Steward win support you with the
boats of the Siren and cover your retreat with
that vessel Be sure and set fire In the gum
room berths. cockpit, storerooms forward and
berths the berth deck. After the ship is well
on fire. point two of the Is Founders. shotted,
down the main hatch and blow her bottom out"
The expedition. consisting of the Siren and
the Intrepid set forth, loaded with combutbles
and anxious but eager men. Arriving before
TripoH just as bad weather setting in De-
catur sent out boat with the pilot and Mid
shipman Morris TO reconnoiter Their report was
unfavorabie. and the decision was against GO
ing in The wind getting constantly worse
blew gale and drove the adventures to the
eastward Recalling that the boats were small
and that they were overloaded with men and
combustibles. one sympathize with Morris
In his account of the situation Of the Intrepid's
crew He says:
The commander. three Iieutenants and the
surgeon occupied the very small cabin Six mid
shipmen and the pilot had platform laid out
on the water casks whose surface they covered
when they Lay down for sleep. and at so small
q distance below the deck that their heads
would reach Il when seated on the platform