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The Barbary Wars, 1801-1805
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Preble's Order to Decatur to Destroy the Philadelphia

To Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., U. S. Navy, commanding U.S. Ketch Intrepid, from Captain Edward Preble, U. S. Navy

U.S. Frigate Constitution
Syracuse Harbor Jany 31st 1804

SIR You are hereby ordered to take command of the Prize Ketch which I have named the Intrepid and prepare her with all possible dispatch for a cruize of Thirty days with full allowance of Water, Provision &ca for Seventy five men. I shall send you five Midshipmen from the Constitution and you will take Seventy men including Officers from the Enterprize if that number can be found ready to volunteer their Services for boarding and burning the Philadelphia in the Harbor of Tripoly. If not, report to me and I will furnish you with men to compleat your compliment. It is expected you will be ready to sail tomorrow evening or some hours sooner if the Signal is made for that purpose.

It is my Orders that you proceed to Tripoly in company with the Syren Lt Stewart, Enter that Harbor in the night. Board the Frigate Philadelphia, burn her and make your retreat good with the Intrepid if possible, unless you can make her the means of destroying the Enemy's vessels in the Harbor by converting her into a fire ship for that purpose and retreating in your Boats and those of the Syren. You must take fixed ammunition and apparatus for the Frigates 18 Pounders and if you can, without risking too much you may endeavor to make them the Instruments of destruction to the shipping and Bashaw's Castle. You will provide all the necessary Combustibles for burning and destroying ships. The destruction of the Philadelphia is an object of great importance; And I rely with confidence on your Intrepidity & Enterprize to effect it. Lt. Stewart will support you with the boats of the Syren and cover your retreat with that vessel be sure and set fire in the Gun room births, Cockpit Store rooms forward and Births on the Birth deck.

After the Ship is well on fire, point two of the 18 Pdrs shotted down the Main Hatch and blow her bottom out - I enclose you a memorandum of the Articles, Arms, Ammunition, fire works &ca necessary and which you are to take with you - Return to this Place as soon as Possible, and report to me your proceedings. On boarding the Frigate it is probable you will meet with Resistance, it will be well in order to prevent alarm to carry all by the Sword, May God prosper and Succeed you in this enterprize.

Continue to:
Preble and Decatur's Report of the Burning of the Philadelphia
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