When that was cleared, and with their big oars, eight on a side, the crew began to sweep the ketch away toward the sea, the flames on the Philadelphia reached her tarred rigging at the rail. Running thence to the masthead, they made such giant torches as illuminated the whole bay and exposed the fleeing ketch as if in the light of day.
The Tripolitans hastened to their guns. The ketch was still well within range, for the Philadelphia lay but a quarter of a mile from the fort, and in a few moments heavy shot were bounding and splashing over the smooth water on every side. But, whether from anger or mere excitement, the barbarian aim was bad, and only one shot reached the little vessel, and that merely passed through a sail.
And then to the roar of the cannon on the beach was added that of the guns of the Philadelphia, which, heated by the fierce flames of deck and frames, began to discharge themselves. But not all of them were fired so. Only a few had been noted when the wondering spectators saw the great hull suddenly burst open, with huge sheets of flame spurting from between the parting timbers. The masts with their flaming rigging shot up a hundred and fifty feet into the air. All eyes were for a moment dazzled with the blazing light, and then came a shock and roar that made the earth and sea shudder. The fire had reached the well-filled magazine.
The waves from the explosion came out to rock the triumphant Americans in their little ketch, now rapidly reaching their shipmates and safety.
The Blowing up of the Frigate Philadelphia
The U. S. Frigate Philadelphia while blocking the harbour of Tripoli; strikes upon a rock. In this situation she surrenders. Com. Decatur obtains leave to attempt to recover or destroy her, & with 70 volunteers sails for the ship. He reaches her & though moored under the Bashaw’s Batteries & surrounded by his Navy, he with his men rush on board & boldly attack & conquer the crew of near 1000 men. Finding her recovery impossible, they set her on fire, which soon produces a terrible explosion, while Decatur & his crew safely escape from the harbour, amid a tremendous fire from the enemies batteries & ships.
Not one American lost his life and but one was wounded. Of the Tripolitans more than twenty were certainly killed by the boarders, while many wounded ones jumped overboard, and many cowards sneaked to hiding places below, where the flames ended them.
To reward those who had participated in this feat, which Lord Nelson, it is said, called “the most bold and daring act of the age,” Congress made Decatur a captain and gave him a sword, and to each of the others two months’ pay. And, because of this adventure, the name of the ketch was changed to Intrepid.
To show his feelings in the matter, the Bashaw of Tripoli placed the American prisoners in a cold, damp apartment in the castle, where their only light was from an iron grating in the ceiling, and he did not release them from it until compelled to make peace.