The Life And Character Of Stephen Decatur

1822. Late Commodore and Post-Captain in the Navy of the United States and Navy Commissioner: Interspersed with brief notices of the origin, progress, and achievements of the American Navy. The biography of Naval hero Stephen Decatur. Decatur's first real act of heroism came in 1804 during the Barbary Wars in the Mediterranean. Under cover of darkness, Decatur led a group of sailors into Tripoli Harbor and seized control of the recently captured U.S. frigate, Philadelphia. Decatur ordered his men to set fire to the vessel and then fight the crew in hand-to-hand combat. Thus, the Philadelphia could never be used by the Tripolitans against the Americans. After this most bold and daring act of the age, Decatur was promoted to captain. In 1812, Captain Decatur and his men captured the ship the Macedonia and brought her back to the safe shores of the United States. Again, Decatur's exploits were celebrated around the world. However, his celebrity was short lived as he was mortally wounded in 1820 in a duel. Due to the age and scarcity of the original we reproduced, some pages may be spotty or faded.