[CaptainCrunch]

Continued


USS Enteprise (1799)





The US Navy went without a ship named Enterprise until 1799 when they commissioned the 135 ton Schooner which was built in Baltimore for a cost of $16,240 (about $323,000 in todays dollars)


The Enterprise had a crew of 70 officers and men and mounted 12 6 pound guns. Throughout its 24 year career the Enteprise was overhauled and rebuild several times going from a 12 gun schooner to 14 gun top sale.


The Enterprise was first sent to the Delaware Capes in the Caribbean to protect US flagged merchentmen from French Privateers during the Quasi-War with France. The Enterprise captured 8 Privateers and rescued 11 American vessels which insured that she was retained by the Navi.


After that the Enterprise was deployed in the Mediterranean and took part in the first Barbary War, her first action came on Aug 1, 1801 when she defeated the 14 gun Tripolitan Corsair Tripoli in a one sided battle. The following is a narration of the action

esterday captain Sterret, commander of the schooner

Enterprize

, part of the Mediterranean squadron, arrived here, with dispatches for the Secretary of the Navy.

Captain Sterret is bearer of dispatches from commodore Dale, which exhibit a detailed account of the proceedings and situation of the Mediterranean squadron.

On the 1st of August, the schooner

Enterprize

, commanded by captain Sterret, and carrying 12 six pounders and 90 men, bound to

Malta

for a supply of water, fell in with a Tripolitan cruizer, being a ship of 14 six pounders, manned by 80 men.

At this time the

Enterprize

bore British colours. Captain Sterret interrogated the commander of the Tripolitan on the object of his cruize. He replied that he came out to cruise after the Americans, and that he lamented that he had not come alongside of some of them. Captain Sterret, on this reply, hoisted American, in the room of British colours; and discharged a volley of musquetry; which the Tripolitan returned by a partial broadside.—This was the commencement of a hard fought action, which commenced at 9 am and continued for three hours.

Three times, during the action, the Tripolitan attempted to board the

Enterprize

, and was as often repulsed with great slaughter, which was greatly increased by the effective aid afforded by the Marines. Three times, also, the Tripolitan struck her colours, and as often treacherously renewed the action, with the hope of disabling the crew of captain Sterret, which, as is usual, when the enemy struck her colours, came on deck, and exposed themselves, while they gave three cheers as a mark of victory.

When for the third time, this treacherous attack was made, captain Sterret gave orders to sink the Tripolitan, on which a scene of furious combat ensuded, until the enemy cried for mercy.

Captain Sterret, listening to the voice of humanity, even after such perfidious conduct, ordered the captain either to come himself, or to send some of his officers on board the

Enterprize

. He was informed that the boat of the Tripolitan was so shattered as to be unfit for use. He asked, what security there was, that if he should send his men in his own boat, they would not be murdered?

After numerous supplications & protestations the boat was sent: The crew of the Tripolitan was discovered to be in the most deplorable state. Out of eighty men, 20 were killed, and 30 wounded. Among the killed were the second lieutenant and Surgeon; and among the wounded were the Captain and first lieutenant. And so decisive was the fire of the

Enterprize

that the Tripolitan was found to be in a most perilous condition, having received 18 shot between wind and water.

When we compare this great slaughter, with the fact that not a single individual of the crew of the

Enterprise

was in the least degree injured, we are lost in surprise at the uncommon good fortune which accompanied our seamen, and at the superior management of Captain Sterrett.

All the officers and sailors manifested the truest spirit, and sustained the greatest efforts during the engagement. All, therefore, are entitled to

encomium

for their valour and good conduct. The marines, especially, owing to the nearness of the vessels, which were within pistol shot of each other, were eminently useful.

After administering to the relief of the distresses of the wounded Tripolitans, and the wants of the crew, Capt. Sterrett ordered the ship of the enemy to be completely dismantled. Her masts were accordingly all cut down, and her guns thrown overboard. A spar was raised, on which was fixed, as a flag, a tattered sail; and in this condition the ship was dismissed.

On the arrival of the Tripolitan ship at Tripoli, so strong was the sensations of shame and indignation excited there, that the

Bey

ordered the wounded captain to be mounted on a

Jack Ass

, and paraded thro' the streets as an object of public scorn. After which he received 500

bastinadoes

.

So thunderstruck were the Tripolitans at this event, and at the apprehended destruction of their whole marine force, that the sailors, then employed at Tripoli on board of cruisers that were fitting out by the government, all deserted them, and not a man could be procured to navigate them.

[2]

The rest of her Mediterranean patrol was fairly eventful.



In 1803 she captured the Paulina a Tunisian ship, that same year she ran a 30 craft ashore and spent her time bombarding and sending raiding parties into Tripoli.


On Nov 12th 1803 she joined the frigate Consititution to capture the Ketch Masitco which later became the Intrepid, then they executed a daring raid to recapture and burn the Frigate USS Philidelphia which had been captured by the Tripoliitans.


She was rebuilt in 1805 and patroled until 1807 , she fought the Spanish off Gibralter.


In 1807 she was called home and laid up in New York.


In 1811 she was recommissioned and sailed out of Savannah and Chaleston she was then re-gigged as a Brig.


When war was declared on Britain the Enterprise cruised the US East Coash. She engated and chased the HMS Boxer in a battle where both commanding officers were killed, the Enterprise captured the Boxer and bought her to Portland where a joint service was held by the US Navy for both commanding officers.


After repairing Enteprise sailed with the USS Rattlesnake to the Caribbean where they took 3 prizes before being seperated by a heavily armed ship, the Enterprise was forced to dump her guns to outrun her enemy and made her way back to Wilmington where she passed the rest of the war protecting the East Coast.


Enteprise had one more tour in 1815 in the Med and then became the founding vessel of the East Indes Squadron.


In 1821 she took 13 prizes and rescued three vessels taken by Pirates off of the coast of Cuba.



In 1823 her career came to an end as she was stranded and broke up on Little Curacao Island in the West Indies