ir situation, they were very much exposed,
and in great danger of being sunk. I accordingly ran within them
with the Constitution, to draw off the enemy's attention and
amuse them whilst the bombardment was kept up. We brought to
within reach of grape, and fired eleven broadsides into the
Bashaw's castle, town and batteries, in a situation where more
than seventy guns could bear upon us. One of their batteries was
silenced. The town, castle and other batteries considerably (p. 147)
damaged. By this time, it was half-past four o'clock; the wind
was increasing, and inclining rapidly to the northward. I made
the signal for the boats to retire from action, and for the brigs
and schooners to take them in tow, and soon after hauled off with
the Constitution to repair damages. Our main-topsail was
totally disabled by a shell from the batteries, which cut away
the leech rope, and several cloths of the sail; another shell
went through the fore-top-sail, and one through the jib; all our
sails considerably cut; two top-mast backstays shot away, main
sheets, fore tacks, lifts, braces, bowlines, and the running
rigging, generally, very much cut, but no shot in our hull,
excepting a few grape. Our gunboats were an hour and fifteen
minutes in action. They disabled several of the enemy's galleys
and boats, and considerably damaged Fort English. Most of our
boats received damage in their rigging and sails. The bomb vessel
No. 1, commanded by Lieutenant Robinson, was disabled, every
shroud being shot away; the bed of the mortar rendered useless,
and the vessel near sinking; she was, however, towed off. About
fifty shells were thrown into the town, and our boats fired four
hundred round shot, besides grape and canister. They were led
into action by Captains Decatur and Somers, with their usual
gallantry. The brigs and schooners were handsomely conducted, and
fired many shot with effect at Fort English, which they were near
enough to reach with their carronades; they suffered considerably
in their rigging, and the Argus received a thirty-two pound shot
in the hull forward, which cut off a bower cable as it entered.
We kept under weigh until eleven P.M., when we anchored, Tripoli
bearing south southwest three leagues. I again, with pleasure,
acknowledge the servi