USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -February 16, 1804: Burning of the Frigate Philadelphia . On February 16, 1804, Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, with 75 volunteers from the frigate Constitution and the schooner Enterprise entered Tripoli harbor by night in the ketch Intrepid with the intent to burn the captured frigate Philadelphia.

Detailed explanation-2: -The USS Philadelphia ran aground in 1803 on an uncharted reef during the Barbary Wars and the ship and crew were taken captive. In February 1804, Stephen Decatur Jr. (1779-1820) led a dangerous mission to free the ship from Tripoli harbor, but ended up setting it on fire to prevent its use by the enemy.

Detailed explanation-3: -By the end of the action, the Americans had captured three gunboats and their crews. The following year, the landing of U.S. Marines to threaten Tripoli led to a compromise deal that ended the fighting. Losses: Tripolitanian, at least 47 dead, 49 captured, 3 gunboats; U.S., 13 casualties.

Detailed explanation-4: -She was captured by Barbary pirates in Tripoli with William Bainbridge in command. Stephen Decatur led a raid that burned her down, preventing her use by the pirates.

Detailed explanation-5: -Two of the most famous episodes in the Barbary Wars involved the young Lieutenant Stephen Decatur. On the night of February 16, 1804, Decatur led a covert team of American sailors into Tripoli Harbor and destroyed the captured Philadelphia, ruining the Pasha’s plans of converting it into a Barbary warship.