Despite its shortcomings, the American Navy used resourcefulness and innovation to deliver victories against the British. Navy.ĭuring the War of 1812, Britain's navy began the conflict with a numerical advantage over the United States in terms of both ships and sailors. Tradition has it that Britain’s renowned admiral Horatio Nelson described the recapture and burning of the Philadelphia as “the most bold and daring act of its age.” This audacious and successful operation led to Decatur’s promotion to Captain at age 25, the youngest person to attain that rank in the history of the U.S. Finding the Philadelphia unseaworthy, Decatur ordered her burned and his men made their escape from Tripoli harbor from the Intrepid.
Decatur gave the command and 60 American sailors, mostly hidden below deck, boarded the Philadelphia and overpowered the pirates. On the night of February 16, Decatur led a small assault force disguised as Maltese sailors from the ketch Intrepid and moored next to the Philadelphia. In 1804 he spearheaded a mission to recapture, and if necessary destroy, the USS Philadelphia, a frigate taken by the pirates in Tripoli harbor. Navy, and Decatur initially served on the frigate USS United States under Commodore John Barry.ĭecatur rose to prominence during the First Barbary War against North African pirates preying on U.S. In 1798, President John Adams appointed Stephen Decatur, Jr. served as a privateer in the American navy during the American Revolution. In this and other engagements during the First and Second Barbary Wars, the Quasi-War with France, and the War of 1812, Commodore Stephen Decatur fought with daring and courage, capturing the imagination of the American public and becoming a national hero.īorn in Maryland on January 5, 1779, Decatur was raised in Philadelphia, his family being prominent members of that city. In President Theodore Roosevelt’s description of the capture of the HMS Macedonian by the USS United States in his 1882 book The Naval War of 1812, the future president wrote, “Commodore Decatur handled his ship with absolute faultlessness,” and explained how through Decatur’s bravery and fortitude, a “skillful crew, ably commanded,” was able to defeat their British foes.
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