tzers on their
quarters, and carry from thirty-six to fifty men. The galleys
have each one hundred men, schooners and brigs about the same
number. The weather was not favourable for anchoring until the
28th, when, with the wind E. S. E., the squadron stood in (p. 138)
for the coast, and at 3 P.M. anchored, per signal, Tripoli
bearing S. two and a half miles distant. At this moment the wind
shifted suddenly from E. S. E. to N. N. W., and from thence to N.
N. E. At 5 o'clock it blew strong, with a heavy sea, setting
directly on shore. I made the signal to prepare to weigh. At 6,
the wind and sea having considerably increased the signal was
made for the squadron to weigh and gain an offing. The wind
continued veering to the eastward, which favoured our gaining
sea-room without being obliged to carry so great a press of sail
as to lose any of our gunboats, although they were in great
danger. The gale continued varying from N. E. to E. S. E. without
increasing much, until the 31st, when it blew away our reefed
foresail, and close-reefed main-topsail; fortunately, the sea did
not rise in proportion to the strength of the gale, or we must
have lost all our boats. August 1st the gale subsided, and we
stood towards the coast: every preparation was made for an attack
on the town and harbour. August 3d, pleasant weather, wind East;
stood in with the squadron towards Tripoli. At noon we were
between two or three miles from the batteries, which were all
manned, and observing several of their gunboats and galleys had
advanced, in two divisions, without the rocks, I determined to
take advantage of their temerity. At half-past 12 I wore off
shore, and made the signal to come within hail, when I
communicated to each of the commanders my intention of attacking
the enemy's shipping and batteries. The gun and mortar boats were
immediately manned and prepared to cast off, the gunboats in two
divisions of three each; the first division commanded by Captain
Somers, in No. 1; Lieutenant Decatur in No. 2, and Lieutenant
Blake in No. 3; the second division commanded by Captain Decatur,
in No. 4, Lieutenant Bainbridge in No. 5, and Lieutenant Trippe
in No. 6. The two bombards were commanded by Lieutenant-Commandant
Dent, and Mr. Robinson, First Lieutenant of this shi