USS Vixen (1803)-- Part 2: Action in the Mediterranean Against the Barbary Pirates

Commodore Preble dispatched the Vixen and frigate USS Philadelphia in October to establish a blockade of Tripoli.  However, the Vixen was searching for two Tripolitan warships when the Philadelphia ran aground and was captured on October 31.

The Vixen ended up carrying dispatches about the Philadelphia's capture and the imprisonment of Captain William Bainbridge, officers and crew to Gibraltar in December.

Retribution for the Philadelphia's capture came quickly, and on 16 February 1804, Lt. Stephen Decatur, Jr.  boarded the ship in Tripoli Harbor and after determining it wasn't seaworthy, destroyed it.  Commodore Preble then followed up on this with heavy bombardments of the city on fiver different dates.

The Vixen participated in all five bombardments and also performed tactical actions to coordinate American movement in the Mediterranean Sea.    While in Malta on October 16, 1804, the Vixen was rerigged as a brig to improve its sailing ability.

The American Mediterranean Squadron was now commanded by Commodore John Rodgers and had actions at Tunis in August 1805.  The Vixen returned to the U.S.  in August 1806, now captained by Master Commandant George Cox.

Lots of Future War of 1812 Leaders.  --Brock-Perry