USS Enterprise vs Tripoli

1 August 1801, Off Malta

American victory; the corsair dismasted and sent home

Lieutenant Andrew Sterett's 12-gun schooner Enterprise, carrying water to the squadron, met the 14-gun corsair Tripoli west of Malta. In a fight of some three hours the Tripolitans three times hauled down their flag and then opened fire again when the Americans came near. Sterett finally shot away her mizzen mast and battered her until her captain threw his colours into the sea. Tripoli had 30 killed and 30 wounded; Enterprise did not lose a man. Without orders to take prizes, Sterett cut down her masts, threw her guns overboard and let her drift back to Tripoli, where the pasha had her captain paraded through the streets on a donkey.

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