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Barbary Wars
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  • Barbary Wars 1801-1805, 1815
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Frigate Constellation vs Corsair Gunboats

On 22 July 1802, the frigate Constellation, commanded by Captain Alexander Murray, defeated nine Corsair gunboats off Tripoli.  The gunboats fired first and tried to entice the frigate on a reef which lay between the opposing vessels.   Nearby forts also fired upon the frigate.   Constellation did not receive damage during the engagement.  Report from the ship indicate that all ships and troops onboard were destroyed.   


NH 82721-KN (Color): USS Constellation, (1797-1854), leaving Annapolis Harbor, 3 January 1813, under Captain Charles Stewart. Courtesy of Donald F. Stewart, 1975.
Caption: NH 82721-KN (Color): USS Constellation, (1797-1854), leaving Annapolis Harbor, 3 January 1813, under Captain Charles Stewart. Courtesy of Donald F. Stewart, 1975.

NH 47672: Alexander Murray, USN. Engraving by David Edwin after artwork by Wood. Engraved for the “The Port Folio,” Philadelphia, May 1814, Volume III. Published in Spears’ “History of Our Navy”, Volume I, Page. 208.
Caption: NH 47672: Alexander Murray, USN. Engraving by David Edwin after artwork by Wood. Engraved for the “The Port Folio,” Philadelphia, May 1814, Volume III. Published in Spears’ “History of Our Navy”, Volume I, Page. 208.

NH 56732: Huzza for the Constellation. A song sung by Mr. Fox at the theatre. Printed at B. Carr’s Musical Repository, Philadelphia, circa 1799.
Caption: NH 56732: Huzza for the Constellation. A song sung by Mr. Fox at the theatre. Printed at B. Carr’s Musical Repository, Philadelphia, circa 1799.
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Published: Wed Feb 10 13:33:32 EST 2021