Burning of the USS Philadelphia
November 14, 1798
When is this movie being made? The story; a man commands a ship and is relieved of his command a year later at his own request. 2 years later on a mission it is captured and the crew is enslaved. To great a prize in enemy hands, the first commanders son leads an assault party and burns the ship.
The second USS Philadelphia was “laid down” or began construction on this day in 1798. Funding for the ship by the citizens of Philadelphia in June 1798 raised $100,000. The USS Philadelphia was commissioned on April 5, 1800 under the command of Captain Stephen Decatur, Sr. A year later Decatur, at his own request, was relieved of his command in 1801.
Tragedy struck when the USS Philadelphia ran aground off the Tripoli Harbor on October 31, 1803 and forced the crews eventual surrender. Officers and crew were enslaved under the Pasha. To valuable an asset in enemy hands, an volunteer assault party was lead by Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr.
Decatur and his crew dressed as Maltese sailors eluded suspicion upon entering the Tripoli Harbor and manged to burn the USS Philadelphia and escape without the loss of life.
Capture of the USS Philadelphia
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