Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

The following very interesting and authentic narrative affords a striking example of what may be done in the Mediterranean, by a small naval force, under a spirited, active and intelligent commander.

Copy of a letter from Steen Bille, Esq. commander of his Danish Majesty's frigate the Naiade, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty Copenhagen.

On board his Majesty's ship the Naiade cruising off Tripolis, May 17, 1797.

I have the honor to acquaint your lordships that Capt. Fisker of his majesty's brig Sarpen, with a hired armed Zebeque, joined me on the afternoon of the 14th instant, and having communicated to me the information which he had collected respecting the Tripolitan forces, we parted company with the xebec, standing on to the northward, and I with the ships under my command to the southward, with a fair wind for Tripolis. The following day, at 2 P. M. got sight of Tripolis, having a fresh breeze right on shore. I made a signal for my two small vessels to keep in the wake of the Naiade, and in this order I sailed in to reconnoitre the harbour.

After having very distinctly counted all the ships (as per enclosed list) we hauled our wind. The forts fired at us without effect, though we were so close in that we could distinguish the particular place in the fort, where the Bashaw resides, as Mr. Lehn, the Danish consul, told us. On the 16th, we had a light breeze from the shore; standing in towards the town, we saw several ships getting under way and making sail out of the harbour: it falling calm, they soon came to anchor. Towards noon, we got a fresh easterly breeze, with which we could stand in towards the land, or off again at pleasure. I made a signal for my small vessels not to attend to my manoeuvres, and immediately stood in for the enemy, partly with a view to reconnoitre, and also with the hope of finding an opportunity to give them a broadside. But after I had got into nine and a half fathoms of water, my pilot refused to carry me further.

After taking a full survey of the ships, I stood off towards the brig and Zebeque, with a press of sail; and finding on board the letter of marque a clever fellow, who undertook to pilot me in—knowing also the qualities of my frigate, I did not hesitate a single moment, but stood in and passed to windward of some breakers which lie in the entrance of the harbor. Here I received the fire of the six ships which was really heavier than I had reason to expect. I tacked when I had got abreast of them, gave them my broadside, and stood out again, making at the same time the best use of my stern chases. We observed an immense crowd of people on board of all the vessels. I had no sooner got clear of the breakers, than I observed the whole squadron get up their anchors and follow me. I lay to and waited for them with tranquillity. They very soon got out all six, and immediately attacked me with great impetuosity. In the mean time my two small vessels had borne down to me, which embarrassed me very much, particularly the Zebeque, and had well nigh been the cause of great chagrin to me; but, in their place I should certainly have done the same.

The action commenced at half an hour past five o'clock, P. M. and continued with great fury till half past seven, when, of a sudden, they all bore down upon me, with horrid creeches. I filled my sails to shoot ahead, and immediately backed again, in order to keep close to the enemy. While thus engaged, I saw a ship with a flag from her foretopmasthead, and which sailed remarkably well, give chase to the brig and Zebeque to leeward of me. This obliged me to bear away in order to throw myself between the ship and the brig. Whether owing to the fire from the brig's two six-pound stern-chases, (which I have reason to believe) or my coming up with the frigate, the enemy gave up the pursuit, and hauled his wind; but instead of making sail, he backed his main-top-sail. We passed so close under his stern, as to throw some 3lb grenades from the tops into him, giving him at the same time our whole broadside, and we could hear its taking proper effect on him. By this time it had grown so dark that we could no longer observe his manoeuvres. His stern was very much shattered;—his mizen yard came down, and the brig had shot away his jib-boom previous to our coming up. The other vessels we had just before engaged, had already hauled their wind and stood in for the shore. The darkness of the night rendered it prudent for me to remain with my small vessels and protect them. Had I been alone, I should have been better pleased, because I should certainly have done more.

I have lost in this action, only one man, viz. Frederick Thygesen, gunner; who got a musket ball through his body, and died whilst the surgeon was tying up his wound—he was an able man in his line. I think, however, I may esteem myself fortunate in not losing more men, because when we passed under the stern of the Tripolitan ship, she elevated the fire of her great guns, in order to pour in upon us a fire of musketry, so tremendous. that it is difficult to form an idea of it as severe storm of hail is the only thing I can compare it to. The Naiade's hull, decks, masts, and most of her sails, bear sufficient marks of it. The enemy's guns through the whole course of the action, were well pointed, but too high, so that only our sails and rigging have suffered.

Every sail we had bent, has been torn to pieces.

I beg leave to express to your lordships the pleasure I have felt in seeing every officer I have the honor to command, perform his duty with the greatest zeal and alacrity. The good example set them by their officers was most gladly seconded by every man on board. I therefore flatter myself that nothing has been neglected which could promote his majesty's service, or render the Danish flag respected.

I feel it my duty to recommend to your lordships, in the strongest manner, Captain Fisker, commander of his majesty's brig, the Sarpen. He manoeuvred his ship in an extremely skilful manner, and kept up with his stern chases a constant and unremitting fire, to the great credit of those who managed them. He really defended his brig like a brave man. Your lordships will find by his letter that he had one man wounded only.

Lieut. Munch, commander of the Zebeque, manoeuvred also very well: he obeyed my orders and signals with great exactness, and made the best fire he could, mostly of musketry.

(Signed) STEEN BILLE.

Note of ammunition expended on board his majesty's ship the Naiade in the action of the 16th instant.

Twelve pound shot 346
Four pound do. 116
Eighteen pound carronades 24

Extract of a letter from capt. Bille, commander of his majesty's frigate the Naiade, to commodore Vrierulff, commissioner of his majesty's dock-yard at Copenhagen.

On board his majesty's frigate the Naiade, in the harbour of Malta, June 6, 1797.

SIR,

Since my letter giving you an account of the engagement of the 16th ult. affairs have very much changed. On the 17th I presented myself before Tripolis having sent the brig and Zebeque to Malta. I saw all the ships which we had engaged hauled close in under the guns of the fort, and hard at work to repair their damages. I repeated this visit every day until the 22d, when a boat came out to me, carrying English colours. It proved to be the English consul, who had been prevailed on by the Bashaw to come on board the Naiade, to know if I would enter into a negotiation for peace. I sent an officer on shore immediately, accompanied by Mr. Lehn, our consul, to hear his proposals. The preliminaries were agreed upon a few days afterwards, and on the 26th, I came to anchor at Tripolis, and was immediately saluted with 21 guns.

The following day, I had a public audience of the Bashaw, who treated me with the greatest distinction, and delivered me 21 of our countrymen, who had been made prisoners and slaves on the breaking out of hostilities. They had been on board the Tripolitan ships in the action; but none of them got hurt.

On the 31st, I had my audience of leave, when the Bashaw presented me with a sabre richly set with gold, accompanied by some very flattering compliments.

I had the satisfaction to find that the Danish nation is held in the highest respect by the Tripolitans. Their ships had been handled very roughly in the engagement with us: a Polacre of 28 guns (which fought to desperation) had 8 shot between wind and water, and lost 200 men killed. The first admiral, a Renegado, who in the action did not choose to lay along side the Naiade, but kept on our quarter, had been surprised at the fire he received from us, having no idea of the construction of my frigate.

The grenades which we threw on board the Polacre, did great execution, and the Tripolitans were so unacquainted with them, that some of their officers came afterwards on board to me, to know what kind of things they were.

* The Naiade was built by the ingenious captain Hohlenberg, on an entirely new construction; which enables her to bring 7 or 8 guns to bear on any ship that engages her, tho' placing itself under her stern.

One do.	12 pounders 20 6 pounders 8
A Polacre	12 pounders 18 6 pounders 10 28
A prize ship	18 pounders 4 12 pounders 14 18
A Zebeck	6 pounders 12 6 pounders 6