The first American naval victory of the First Barbary War, boosting U.S. morale while demonstrating the limits of prize-taking authority at sea.
Key Facts
- Date
- 1 August 1801
- Duration
- 3 hours
- American vessel
- USS Enterprise (schooner)
- Tripolitan vessel
- Tripoli (polacca)
- Feigned surrenders by Tripoli
- 3
- Outcome for prize
- Released; no orders to take prizes
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Commodore Richard Dale's Mediterranean Squadron was blockading the Vilayet of Tripoli as part of the First Barbary War. USS Enterprise, under Lieutenant Andrew Sterett, was dispatched to gather supplies at Malta when she encountered the Tripolitan polacca Tripoli, commanded by Admiral Rais Mahomet Rous, off the Libyan coast.
In a three-hour engagement, the Tripolitan vessel Tripoli resisted fiercely and feigned surrender three times before being subdued and captured by Enterprise. The American crew suffered no fatalities, while the Tripolitan crew sustained significant casualties. Despite capturing the vessel, Sterett had no orders to take prizes and was obliged to release her.
The engagement provided the United States its first victory in the war against Tripoli, raising American morale and earning praise from Commodore Dale. Conversely, news of the defeat severely depressed morale in Tripoli. However, the broader conflict continued indecisively for four more years before a resolution was reached.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lieutenant Andrew Sterett.
Side B
1 belligerent
Admiral Rais Mahomet Rous.