A lesser-known early
military conflict of the
United States. For centuries, it had been a
tradition of
European nations to pay
tribute to the Barbary powers (Tangiers, Algiers, Tunis, and
Tripoli) in exchange for immunity from attack by
corsairs, or government sanctioned
pirates. After the United States gained independance, it was no longer protected from corsairs by Great Britian, and thus began paying tribute. In 1801, the Pasha of Tripoli demanded an
increase in the amount of
money paid for tributes, from $100,000 per
year to $225,000 per year plus $25,000 in
goods. The United States refused and on March 10, 1801, the Pasha of Tripoli declared
war by cutting down the American
flag at the
consulate.
Commodore Dale arrived at Tripoli with three
frigates and a
schooner and blockaded the Tripolitan port for 18
days. As
Navy enlistments were for one year only, Dale was soon replaced by Commodore Richard Morris. He was an incompetant leader, and instead of maintaining the blockade, as he was ordered, he became active in Maltese
social circles. One year later, he finally began maintaining the blockade and made a failed attempt to attack Tripoli by day. He was quickly replaced by Edward Preble in 1803.
Soon afterwards, the frigate
Philadelphia ran aground while chasing a Tripolitan
ship. The
Philadelphia was captured and its crew taken
prisoner. On February 16, 1804, Lt.
Stephen Decatur,
Captain of the
USS Enterprise, led a band of men into Tripoli and destroyed the
Philadelphia.
Preble soon began the bombardment of Tripoli on July 25, 1804.
Captain William Eaton attacked the
city of Derna on
April 26, 1805 with a force of 1,200 men, being supported by three American ships in the
harbor. The city surrendered to Eaton at 4:00 that day.
On June 4, 1805, Tripoli signed a peace
treaty with the United States, receiving over $60,000 for the release of American prisoners.