First Battle of Tripoli Harbor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Battle of Tripoli Harbor
Part of the First Barbary War
USS Boston
Date May 16, 1802 Location Off Tripoli, Mediterranean Sea 32°54′17″N 13°11′36″E / 32.90472°N 13.19333°E / 32.90472; 13.19333 Result Tactical Swedish-American victory Strategically indecisive
Belligerents
Sweden  United States	Tripolitania
Commanders and leaders
Rudolf Cederström Daniel McNeill	Burak Rouse
Strength
3 frigates	7 corsairs
Casualties and losses
None	1 corsair grounded

The First Battle of Tripoli Harbor was an important sea fight that happened on May 16, 1802. It took place in Tripoli Harbor, which is in modern-day Libya. This battle was part of the First Barbary War.

In this battle, ships from the United States and Sweden teamed up. They fought against several ships from Tripoli. The American and Swedish ships were trying to stop other ships from entering or leaving Tripoli's port. This is called a blockade. During the fight, the allied ships damaged some of Tripoli's ships and even hit the forts on the shore. After the battle, they went back to blocking the port.

Why the Battle Happened

The Blockade of Tripoli

The American ship USS Boston was sent to Tripoli. Its job was to block the port. This meant stopping any ships from going in or out. Captain McNeill was in charge of the Boston.

When the Boston arrived in January, four Swedish ships were already there. They had started blocking the port. The American and Swedish ships worked together. They tried to catch "corsairs," which were like pirate ships from Tripoli. These corsairs often tried to sneak past the blockade.

Challenges for the Blockade

It was hard for the big Swedish ships to catch the small Tripolitan ships. The small ships, called galleys, were very fast. They could easily dart in and out of the harbor. This made it difficult to keep the blockade tight.

The Battle Begins

Chasing a Corsair

On May 16, the USS Boston and a Swedish ship called Fröja were on patrol. They managed to chase a Tripolitan corsair. This corsair was a ship used by slave traders. The American and Swedish ships forced it to run aground, meaning it got stuck on the shore.

Tripolitan Ships Attack

After the first corsair was stuck, six more Tripolitan corsairs came out of the harbor. They tried to help their stranded ship. The American and Swedish frigates fought them off. They stopped the Tripolitan ships from reaching the beached vessel.

A Mistake and More Fighting

Then, another ship appeared near the harbor. The Swedish frigate started firing at the forts on the shore. Meanwhile, the Boston went to check out the new ship. This gave the Tripolitan corsairs another chance to help their stuck ship.

Soon, Captain McNeill realized his mistake. The new ship was just another Swedish frigate! He quickly turned the Boston around. He rejoined the fight against the Tripolitan ships. The Boston fired many cannon shots at them. Several Tripolitan ships were damaged.

End of the Fight

The battle ended with the three frigates returning to their blockade positions. The American and Swedish ships did not suffer any damage. They had caused losses to the enemy.

What Happened After

Continuing the Blockade

This battle did not completely stop the corsairs from using Tripoli as their home base. The blockading ships did not make many other serious attempts to enforce the blockade. Later, another American ship, USS Constellation, arrived to help.

Blockade Ends

However, the Swedish ships decided to make their own peace with Tripoli. They left the area. This left only the two American frigates to continue the blockade. But soon, the American ships ran low on supplies. They also had to leave. This meant the blockade was lifted, and the port of Tripoli was open again.