USS New York-- Part 2: First Barbary War

The New York arrived in the Mediterranean Sea on 6 April 1803 and became the flagship of the fleet.  The small Moorish kingdoms along Africa's north coast had been attacking and harassing American commerce aand the American fleet was inclined to convince them otherwise.

En route to Tripoli, the New York had a powder explosion, killing four men.  Repaired at Malta, it arrived at Tripoli and negotiations began, but not until two brief engagements  convinced the Tripoli government of the superiority of American ordnance.  Talks went better after that.

Midshipman John Downes distinguished himself in the two battles.

On June 29, a tentative treaty was reached and the American ships left.  However, the Bashaw of Tripoli resumed his encroachments after the fleet left.

--Brock-Perry