During the latter part of the eighteenth century the United States had followed the method employed by many European nations of protecting their commerce from the depredations of the Barbary States by the annual payment of tribute money. In 1801 the demands of the Bashaw of Tripoli being deemed exorbitant, President Jefferson determined to abolish this practice.
Commodore Dale was despatched with a squadron to make demonstrations along the coast of Tripoli. He captured a large cruiser and for a time overawed the Bashaw. In 1803 Preble was sent to take command, Congress having recognized war with Tripoli. Several captures were made. CaptainBainbridge, of the USS Philadelphia, however, ran his vessel on a rock, and she was taken by the Tripolitans with all on board. Decatur in the USS Intrepid ran up the harbour of Tripoli at night and burned the USS Philadelphia under the fire of the batteries on the shore. Tripoli was invested and bombarded during the summer. Finally on June the 4th, 1805, a treaty of peace and friendship was concluded with the Bashaw, the United States agreeing to pay $60,000 for the ransom of the officers and crew of the USS Philadelphia. Research Tripolitan War
Abbreviations
Warfare
Research Tripolitan War