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Preble's Report of the Burning of the Philadelphia [16 February 1804] To the Secretary of the Navy from Captain Edward Preble, U. S. Navy United States Ship Constitution Sir, I have the honor to inform you, that the U S Brig Syren Lt Commt Stewart and Ketch Intrepid of 4 Guns Lt Commt Decatur arrived here last evening from a cruise. They left this port the 3rd Inst with my orders to proceed to Tripoly, and burn the Frigate, late the U S. frigate Philadelphia at anchor in that Harbour. I was well informed that her situation was such as to render it impossible to bring her out, and her destruction being absolutely necessary to favor my intended operations against that city I determined the attempt should be made - I enclose you copies of my orders [31 January 1804] on this occasion, which have been executed in the most gallant and Officer like manner by Lieut Commt Decatur, assisted by the brave Officers & crew of the little Ketch Intrepid under his command. Their conduct in the performance of the dangerous service assigned them, cannot be sufficiently estimated - It is beyond all praise - Had Lieut Decatur delayed one half hour for the Boats of the Syren to have joined him, he would have failed in the main objects, as a gale commenced immediately after the Frigate was on fire, and it was with difficulty the Ketch was got out of the Harbour. The Syren owing to the lightness of the Breeze in the evening was obliged to Anchor at a considerable distance from the City which prevented her Boats from rendering such assistance as they might have done had they entered the Harbour earlier. Lt. Stewart took the best position without the Harbour to cover the retreat of the Intrepid that the lightness of the wind would admit of. His conduct thro' the expedition has been judicious and highly meritorious. But few of the Officers of the Squadron could be gratified by sharing in the danger & honor of the Enterprize. In justice to them I beg leave to observe that they all offered to volunteer their services on the occasion and I am confident whenever an opportunity offers to distinguish themselves, that they will do honor to the Service. I enclose you Lieut Commt Stewart & Decatur's official communication, with the names of the Officers on board the Ketch. Decatur's Report of the Burning of the Philadelphia [16 February 1804] To Captain Edward Preble, U. S. Navy, from Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., U. S. Navy On Board the Ketch Intrepid Sir, I have the honor to inform you, that in pursuance of your orders of the 1st Inst to proceed with this Ketch off the Harbour of Tripoly there to endeavor to effect the destruction of the United States late Frigate Philadelphia. I arrived there in company with the U S Brig Syren Lt Commt Stewart on the 7th, but owing to the Badness of the weather was unable to effect any thing untill last evening when we had a light breeze from N. E. At 7 O'clock I entered the harbour with the Intrepid the Syren having gained her station without the Harbour, in a situation to support us in our retreat at _ past 9 laid her a long side the Philadelphia, boarded, and after a short contest carried her. I immediately fired her in the Store Rooms, Gun Room Cockpit & Birth Deck and remained on board until the flames had issued from the Spar Deck hatch ways & Ports, and before I got from alongside the fire had communicated to the rigging and tops. Previous to our boarding, they had got their Tompions out, and hailed several times but not a Gun fired. The noise occasioned by boarding and contending for possession (altho' no fire arms were used) gave a general alarm on shore, and on board their cruisers which lay about a cable and a half's length from us, and many boats filled with men lay round, but from whom we recd no annoyance. They commenced a fire on us from all their Batteries on shore, but with no other effect than one shot passing thro' our Top Gallt Sail. The Frigate was moored within half Gun shot of the Bashaw's Castle, and of their principal Battery; two of their Cruisers lay within two cables length on the starboard quarter and their Gun Boats within half Gun shot on the starboard bow she had all her Guns mounted and loaded which as they became hot went off as she lay with her Broadside to the town, I have no doubt but some damage has been done by them. Before I got out of the harbour, her cable had burnt off, and she drifted in under the Castle where she was consumed. I can form no judgment as to the number of Men that were on board of her; there were about 20 killed - A large boat full got off, and many leapt into the Sea. We have made one prisoner, and I fear from the number of bad wounds he has recd will not recover, altho' every assistance & comfort has been given him- I boarded with sixty men & Officers, leaving a guard on board the Ketch for her defence; and it is with the greatest pleasure I inform you, I had not a man killed in this affair, and but one slightly wounded - Every support that could be given I recd from my Officers, and as each of their conduct was highly meritorious, I beg leave to enclose you a list of their names. --Permit me also, Sir, to speak of the brave fellows I have the honor to command, whose coolness and intrepidity was such, as I trust will ever characterise the American Tars. It would be injustice in me, were I to pass over the important services rendered by Mr Salvador the Pilot, on whose good conduct the success of the Enterprize in the greatest degree depended. He gave me entire satisfaction.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
With great respect Your Mo. Ob Servt (Signed) Stephen Decatur Commodore Edwd Preble Commanding the U S Squadron in the Mediterranean
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