Edward Preble and The Second Battle of Tripoli Harbor
Edward Preble was an influential Commodore in the US Navy during the Adams and Jefferson Presidencies.
Preble participated in the Quasi-War with France before briefly controlling the Navy’s Mediterranean outfit during the First Barbary War.
Edward Preble
As a boy in Maine, Edward Preble’s family lost their house when the British burned Falmouth.
Not long after, Preble joined the Massachusetts Navy as an officer at just 18 years old.
Unfortunately, Edward was captured at sea and forced to spend time on the prison ship HMS Jersey.
The Quasi-War
Preble was a captive for just a few months before the Revolutionary War ended.
He spent the next decade as a merchant but was called back to action during the Quasi-War with France. Although he spent most of this time protecting trading vessels in the Caribbean, Preble travelled as far as the Pacific Ocean.
As the Quasi-War came to a close, Edward attempted to resign from the young United States Navy. Instead, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert decided to put him on long term leave and promised to return Prebel to action when a better position became available.
The First Barbary War
When pirates on the North African coast began capturing American ships and holding its sailors for ransom, Preble was called back to serve.
Edward was named a Commodore in the US Navy and sent to control the situation.
Preble found himself overseeing the Siege of Tripoli.
Additionally, he allowed his men to burn the Philadelphia, an American ship that had fallen into enemy hands, so as not to allow it to be used against them.
The Second Battle of Tripoli Harbor
On July 14, 1804, Preble launched the Second Battle of Tripoli Harbor.
This event included several attempts to storm the beach, but the Americans were repelled each time and sustained significant losses.
The following Autumn, Edward requested to be recalled due to failing health and was replaced by Samuel Barron.
Influence
After returning home, Preble oversaw the building of ships for the Navy but passed away just two years later.
Edward’s impact on the development of the United States Navy was immense.
He was strict with his men and literally ran a tight ship, which was not common at the time.
Several of the officers under him took up the same habits and would be influential members of the Navy a decade later during the War of 1812.
Are you interested in learning more about the Continental Navy?
Great, start with some of these articles:
Esek Hopkins: Commander of the Continental Navy
Jeremiah O’Brien Commands he Battle of Machias
Hopley Yeaton - Father of the US Coast Guard
Want to read more about the Barbary Wars?
Brian Kilmeade’s book is the most famous/recent discussion of these interesting engagement with Mediterranean Pirates.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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