by D P Prouty
When Captain Bainbridge returned, he explained how the Tripolitan pirates had employed a group of gunboats near their shore to fight off attacks by the John Adams and Enterprise. The report was studied by several politicians to include President Jefferson who now believed our country could save thousands of dollars if we stopped building larger ships and instead produced a fleet of small gunboats to defend our coast. “Ludicrous!” He shouted, “Madmen that put their trust in gunboats!” He sat down, and took a deep breath and calmly said, “I was able to gain approval for continued funding for the ships currently under construction, but future construction will be small gunboats.” He leaned back in his chair, ran his fingers through his hair, and said, “This policy of gunboats will cripple our ability to protect our people and way of life. Gunboats in open water are useless and no match for the firepower of a frigate or even a schooner.” He stood up and stretched, then looked out the window at the shipyard. “We are forging the hope of our future. Hope, gentlemen, the expectation and desire for our country to remain free. I fear our country’s leaders may place us in a position of peril to save some money.”
I learned a lot from Captain Bainbridge. His courage and tactical sense was unmatched. His only weakness appeared to be his impatience. He explained that initiative could keep an enemy off guard and reacting to your decisions, as long as you can maintain the initiative, your opponent cannot recover.
30
Philadelphia Burning
Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!
—Robert Harper, Maryland Senator
As promised, Charlene called on me in Baltimore. Arriving with her mother, they dined with Captain Bainbridge, Lieutenant Decatur, and I the first evening. Mrs. Campbell asked, “William, have you heard anything about my husband in your reports?” Captain Bainbridge yielded a slight smile said he had not, but I knew better since he told us about the John Adams engagement near the port of Tripoli. Mrs. Campbell returned the smile and emitted a wink at me when the captain wasn’t looking. She had known Captain Bainbridge for a long time and I guessed she knew more than she let on. Her support for my engagement with Charlene surprised me. Charlene later told me that her mother just wanted her to be happy and although she did not want her to marry a sailor, she assured her, that if that is what she wanted and was prepared to endure then she would support her. I don’t think she ever had ill feelings toward me—she just didn’t want her daughter to go through some of the same things she did.
Not long after they departed Baltimore, I received an eligibility notice requesting I take the lieutenant’s exam. Soon after, I traveled to Philadelphia with Lieutenant Decatur to take the examinations. The tests were divided into two parts: the first was a written examination and second an oral examination. The written exam consisted of geography and the practical use of algebra, geometry, and spherical trigonometry, as well as demonstrated use of a sextant, azimuth compass, and chronometer. The oral examination would include questions in seamanship, gunnery, and navigation. The morning of the exam, I was led into a small room along with three other midshipmen to take the written exam. When completed, I was mentally exhausted and had yet to face the panel that afternoon. I stood alone in front of the board who administered the oral exam. Captain Dent presided over a committee of three officers that commenced to ask questions as soon as the introductions were completed. Each asked only a couple of questions and after answering, I was dismissed. I felt relieved that the examination was complete and fortunate that the panel did not overwhelm me with severe queries. Lieutenant Decatur asked how I thought I did and although some of the trigonometry questions were difficult, I thought I’d passed. I was anxious for the results, but I was assured that I would not know the results for several weeks. The year had passed quickly. The Vixen was almost complete and ready for sea trials. The Syren was also getting close to completion in Philadelphia and Captain Bainbridge was pressuring his superiors for an assignment. I traveled to Cecil Furnace to ensure the newest twenty-four-pounders were completed and ready. When I returned, Captain Bainbridge notified me that I had passed the lieutenant’s exam. A strong sense of relief and accomplishment took hold of me, commissioning was certain as long as I continued to perform well. My arm was fully mended and I was fit for sea duty, but I did not want to get assigned to a large frigate and lost in the ranks. I prayed I’d get an assignment on one of the schooners, perhaps the newest ship Vixen.
Word spread that some of the squadron was returning to the United States and a new group would soon be formed. The Vixen completed her sea trials and Captain John Smith was awarded command. Enterprise and Nautilus put in at Baltimore as well as the brig Argus anchored off Sparrows Point. Dr. Batterton came to see me once in port. He checked out my arm and asked how I was doing. He informed me that he had seen Frank Hill. He was a boatswains mate on the Nautilus so I went to see him. He looked fit and was almost the same height as me. He smiled when I saw him and we embraced as brothers do. At a pub along the dock, we traded stories of our exploits following our time on the Eagle. He explained how he tried to work in the shipyard for a while, but felt he had to return to the sea. The sailors he served with had a common bond with him, an understanding that he could not get elsewhere. Working as a caulker in the shipyards enabled him to obtain skills in repair and he signed on as a boatswains mate on the Nautilus. He laughed out loud as I told him I was engaged to Charlene. It was good to see him laughing and I wished him the best of luck and he did the same.
Captain Bainbridge was the first between the three of us to receive an assignment, command of the frigate Philadelphia. Although congratulations were in order, I secretly hoped he’d not request me as one of his officers since a new commander often had a choice in selecting his officers. I also didn’t want to serve on the John Adams with Captain Campbell or the George Washington under command of Captain Shaw. Men I deeply admired and respected, but I wanted to prove myself on a smaller vessel. On a warm summer morning, Lieutenant Decatur asked me to walk with him along the dock. Vixen, Enterprise, and Nautilus were moored side by side. He said, “What do you think of the Enterprise, Clyde?”
I replied, “It’s a great ship and crew! I don’t believe there is a better ship.”
He looked at me and smiled, “How’d you like to be assigned to her again?”
“Aye, that would be spectacular!” I exclaimed.
Then he stated, “I’ve just received orders to command her and Dick Somers is transferring to command the Nautilus, so I have an opening for an officer!” I quickly accepted and he said he’d put in the request.
It wasn’t long before I received orders to sail with Captain Decatur on the Enterprise. Some of the men had departed. Captain Sterett and Lieutenant Somers had departed and Lieutenant Thorn was appointed first lieutenant. Still many of the old crew chose to remain aboard. Lieutenant Baker, Dr. Batterton, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Duffy, and Mr. Richards were a welcome sight. Entering our third year at war with Tripoli, the previous year did not go as well as expected. Commodore Morris was relieved and the blockade did not appear to have the assumed result since we were no closer to resolving the situation then the first year. Commodore Preble was appointed in command of the newest squadron to make their way across the Atlantic.
Charlene made the trip to Baltimore with her mother to see me off. She was very excited that I had passed my exam, but was apprehensive about my upcoming cruise. “Captain Decatur, I would be in your debt if you please ensure Clyde returns to me safely,” she softly said to the captain. “I’ll do my best,” he replied with a smile. She countered, “That’s not good enough, sir, I want your word!” He was taken aback by her pleading, but nodded understandingly to her, “I promise to bring Clyde back to you, my dear!” We said our good-byes and she kissed me and reaffirmed her hope that I’d be back and promised to write diligently. Afterward, when they had left, Captain Decatur told me, “You sure have a resolute young lady there, Clyde!”
“Aye, sir, she takes after her
father!” I replied.
It was strange sailing without Mr. Edwards cooking for the crew and seeing him shuffle around as he prepared a meal on the deck. With the last glimmer of dusk, I could almost see him standing near the bow with Green Gato in his lap. I felt a tap on my shoulder as I reminisced, and Lieutenant Thorn broke the silence. “We’ve got great wind, should see the rest of the squadron off Norfolk soon.”
“Aye, sir,” I said. The Nautilus, Vixen, and Argus sailed along with us as we quietly made our way south to Norfolk. After we rendezvoused with the brigs Syren and Scourge and the frigate Philadelphia, the seven ships cruised eastward on cloudless night under a full moon. The calm ocean looked like ice as it reflected the moonlight.
It was summer when we cruised into the Mediterranean past the Pillars of Hercules yet again. Off Gibraltar, we joined the frigate Constitution waiting for our arrival then sailed east to blockade Tripoli. The long Tripolitan shoreline and the sandy reefs presented an almost-impossible task of preventing smaller craft with a shallow draft from breaking through our blockade. A few skirmishes with pirate gunboats developed over the months which amounted to no serious damage to vessels on either side. It was clear that the blockade was not working as a deterrent to piracy.
In early fall, the Enterprise received a welcome order to cruise east to the Greek islands in search of Tripolitan pirates in common shipping routes. After a few months of observing normal merchantmen, an odd-looking vessel appeared on the horizon near Crete. It looked like a brig missing its foremast, but as we got closer, Captain Decatur said, “Mr. Walsh, please have the men get to action stations. Gentlemen, that is a bomb ketch.” I had heard of a bomb ketch, but never actually seen one. Used for bombarding fortresses and shore batteries with large forward mortars fired from the hull. Lieutenant Thorn said, “Sir, she’s flying Turkish colors,” while looking through his glass. The captain replied, “Lieutenant Baker, get your marines ready to fire. Mr. Carter, stand by with the starboard cannons, round shot if you please.”
We replied in unison, “Aye, sir!” And quickly took our positions as we closed with the unknown vessel. The ketch foolishly attempted to escape the Enterprise and compounded their mistake by firing at us. Lining up along her portside, the captain gave the order to fire a broadside. The Tripolitan quickly struck her colors after realizing her two-port guns were no match for the Enterprise. Tying up to her, our guns were ready to fire another broadside as our boarding party jumped onto the foreign ship. Their crew stared at us but did not speak. Dr. Batterton boarded their vessel and tended to some of their wounded as the crew of about forty men were assembled and disarmed on the deck.
A search of their ship did not produce any information as to their point of origin and no one seemed to speak English when asked. It seemed likely they were Tripolitan since they attempted to flee and initiated the fight costing them several casualties. Lieutenant Baker stood next to Bat and the captain saying aloud, “Well, sir, we can tie their hands and feet and throw them overboard one by one!” At that, one of the pirates turned his head toward Lieutenant Baker. Dr. Batterton snapped, “I hardly think that is acceptable—” He was interrupted by Lieutenant Baker who ran down to the man and pointed a pistol at his head. “This man speaks English, sir!” he shouted. Captain Decatur slowly walked down to where he was standing and kindly said, “If you shoot this man, Timothy, he will certainly not prove to be a viable translator.” Lieutenant Baker slowly lowered his pistol and asked the man where did they sail from. The man did not answer, just stared at him. Then Lieutenant Baker pulled out a knife and said, “Sir, I believe I have a solution. I’ll remove one finger for every unanswered question. He’ll still have the use of his tongue.” Dr. Batterton started to protest, but the captain raised his hand to stop him. “That seems reasonable,” the captain said. Lieutenant Baker took the man by the hand and put his knife under his index finger. Then he said, “Where did you come from?” He looked at the knife and said, “Morocco.”
“Are you sure you want to answer that way? You’re going to lose fingers for lies as well!”
Then the man reluctantly said, “Tripoli. We were headed to Constantinople.” The captured vessel was the bomb ketch Mastico and I was given my first command to sail her to Syracuse alongside the Enterprise.
Arriving at the Sicilian harbor I thought it odd that the Constitution, Argus, and Syren were all anchored at Syracuse. Anchoring next to Enterprise, arrangements to transport the pirates ashore were underway when I was ordered back to the ship. Captain Decatur said, “Commodore Preble is convening a counsel of captains aboard the Constitution, the Nautilus, and Scourge are conducting the blockade while we meet here. Clyde, you come with me, Jonathan, you have command of the ship, sir.” The ship’s boat took us to the Constitution where I was surprised to see a model of the port of Tripoli set out on the deck amidships. Captain Decatur informed the commodore of our actions against the Mastico. To our disbelief, he did not appear to be delighted with our capture. The commodore surveyed both of us and said, “Gentlemen, I believe you are unaware, so I tell you plainly—the Philadelphia has been captured.” He told us how Captain Bainbridge was attempting to engage several smaller vessels and was grounded upon an uncharted reef. Unable to free the ship, they were overcome by the Tripolitan fleet.
Commodore Preble paced back and forth in front of the model of the port spread out on the deck facing the assembled officers of the squadron. He stated, “Gentlemen, the Tripolitan pirates have dislodged the Philadelphia and taken her into port under the guns of the fortress. We cannot allow them to put her to sail as a corsair!” One of his staff officers pointed on the model where the ship was located and the fortress overlooking the harbor. He also pointed out the Kaliusa reef to the east of the harbor where the Philadelphia grounded. Commodore Preble again paced back and forth and asked, “Does anyone have any suggestions?”
Captain Hull from the Argus spoke, “Sir, if I may. We must keep the Philadelphia bottled in the harbor. If she gets out her only threat is the Constitution.”
Captain Stewart of the brig Syren replied, “We’ve already been conducting a blockage of the harbor. It hasn’t worked yet.”
Then Captain Decatur said, “Sir, we have this ketch that we captured. Perhaps the pirates do not know we have it.”
Commodore Preble stopped pacing and peered at Captain Decatur, “What do you propose, Stephen?”
“Well, sir,” he began. “If our captives are not allowed to speak, and the ketch is hidden from their view, they may not know we have her. We can put a crew aboard and sail her into their harbor next to the Philadelphia, and set her ablaze to prevent her use.”
Commodore Preble rubbed his chin, “Very risky. If they somehow know, the fortress guns could fire and destroy the ketch before the men could can get on the Philadelphia.” Then he paused, took off his hat, and scratched his head. “It’s just bold enough that it might work on a moonless night in calm conditions.” The officers returned to their ships and sailed toward Tripoli except the Enterprise.
We remained at anchor as directed by Commodore Preble until he himself arrived in his boat. He stood on the deck of the Enterprise, “Captain Decatur, I’m placing you in command of that bomb ketch,” he said pointing at the ship anchored next to us. I’ve received confirmation that that vessel also took part in capturing the Philadelphia, so there is no doubt it is a legitimate prize. I am commissioning her as the Intrepid.”
Captain Decatur uttered, “Intrepid?”
“Aye,” he replied, “fearless and bold. I think that describes the operation, don’t you think?”
“Aye, sir,” the captain replied.
Then the commodore explained that he could muster about sixty marines and needed about another twenty volunteers from the Enterprise. He then said, “You’ll command the Intrepid, Stephen, Syren will get in as close as possible to support, but you won’t have enough boats to get everyone back if the Intrepid is severely wounded.”
Captain Dec
atur stood straight and said sternly, “We’ll burn the Philadelphia for you, Commodore!”
Excited, I volunteered to go with Captain Decatur but he denied my request. After several unsuccessful attempts to get him to change his mind, he finally told me that he would be compromising his promise to Charlene should he allow me to go. I pleaded with him and I decisively asked him, “Sir, what would you do in my place? This is an event we will always remember if we survive, and if we don’t… well, chances are you won’t either so you’ll not be held accountable to Charlene!”
He started to laugh and said, “That’s a good response. All right, I can’t argue with that, you’re in.”
The Intrepid was sluggish to sail. Having no foresails and the mainmast aft, it made it difficult to master the available wind and steering was slow. The bomb ketch had chains as the mainmast stay forward so they rattled a bit in the wind making an eerie ring as we cut through the night toward the Philadelphia. There was a waxing crescent moon on a cloudless night so our approach was obvious, but in the dim light, identification would be almost impossible until we were near our destination. The Syren remained at a distance and prepared her boats for a possible extraction. At least two vessels were anchored near the Philadelphia and there was sure to be a partial crew on board. I said a prayer as we approached in hopes that most of the pirates were asleep and they hadn’t thought to load the cannon aboard the Philadelphia.