Action of 22 June 1803 explained

Conflict:Action of 22 June 1803
Partof:First Barbary War
Date:22 June 1803
Place:Near Tripoli (present day Libya)
Result:American victory
Combatant1: United States
Combatant2: Eyalet of Tripolitania
Commander1: John Rodgers[1]
Commander2: Shadi Nazmi Reis
Strength1:1 frigate
1 schooner
290 sailors and
marine infantry
Strength2:1 polacre
9 gunboats
Casualties1:None
Casualties2:Unknown human losses
1 polacre sunk

The action of 22 June 1803 was a naval battle between the United States Navy and the Tripolitan Navy during the First Barbary War. Two ships from the American squadron blockading Tripoli, and, met and engaged a Tripolitan polacre along with nine gunboats. After fighting a sharp action for forty five minutes the gunboats veered off and the polacre was abandoned. The Tripolitians later retook the polacre and were reengaged by the Americans before the vessel was destroyed in a large explosion.[2]

Aftermath

The destruction of the Tripolitan polacre was the greatest victory the American navy had yet inflicted over the Tripolitans. As such the confidence and morale of the American Mediterranean squadron ran so high that its commander saw no further need to blockade Tripoli and withdrew his vessels.

References

32.9022°N 13.1858°W

Notes and References

  1. London, p. 128.
  2. https://archive.org/details/americannavalhis0003swee/page/18 American naval history: an ... - Internet Archive