Commodore Decatur

9 pages in this part of The Naval History of the United States.

complete wreck. Nor did the Tripolitan cavalry escape without a shot or two.

The While shaping his course for this vessel, Decatur was arrested by a hail from the gunboat which had been commanded by his brother…

The fall of their captain disheartened the Tripolitans, and they speedily threw down their arms. The prize was then towed out of the line…

There is one humble actor in the first attack upon Tripoli, whom we cannot abandon without a word. This is Reuben James. That heroic young…

Richard" and the "Serapis." He had stationed himself on the yard-arm, and was dropping hand-grenades upon the deck of the "Serapis." At…

In this attack, Richard Somers, a most courageous and capable officer, who a few weeks later met a tragic end, narrowly escaped death. He…

While waiting for the re-enforcements, Preble continued his preparations for another attack. The ships were put into fighting trim…

During this engagement, the American fleet came within range of the Bashaw's palace, and the flying shot and shell drove that dignitary and…

But, before this time, Commodore Preble, and the officers under his command, had about reached the conclusion that Tripoli could not be…