Blue Water Men - And Women - 193 Preble Planning Direct Action Against Pirates By FRED HUMISTON Preble had been appointed to the Mediterranean command for a number of reasons. His worth was proved in many battle ac- tions, he was widely traveled and had held diplomatic posts, but chiefly; due to circumstances of his profession, had lived apart from his ranking brother officers and was therefore free from the interservice jealousies and petty bickerings. His squadron would consist of the frigate "Constitution," 44, of which he would be in com- mand, the second heavy frigate, "Philadelphia," 38, three schooners, "Enterprise," 12, "Nautilus," 12, and "Vixen," 12. Two brigs, "Argus" and "Si- ren," both 16's, like the last two schooners, were brand new. Light vessels were needed to work inshore on the north Afri- can coast. with its many reefs. Furthermore, it was only by Capt. Bainbridge their use that the blockade could be enforced against the In 1800, under Capt Wil- small pirate craft, the coasters liam Bainbridge's com- of felucca rig, used by the Trip- mand, the U.S. 24-gun fri- olitans to bring in grains and other food supplies. gate "George Washing- ton," became the first U.S. PREBLE, unlike his prede- man-of-war to enter the cessors, had informed himself in Mediterranean; but this detail respecting the enemy; his forces, his personnel, his way honor was made bitter by of life and sources of supplies. the knowledge that the He knew the location of every "Washington" bore tribute gun in every pirate fort, the ex- act number of white renegades to Algiers. (Chrispix Ar- who captained them and even chive) the exact number of women in the harem of Peter Lisle, dent that Preble was thinking of a renegade Scot. who was Ad- more than a mere blockade. Like miral of the pirate navy. his father before him, he was Evidently Preble had a large a firm believer in direct action, and efficient secret service, and and one of his first reports to the in this respect. oddly enough, Secretary of the Navy asks he was assisted by the British for mortar ships (which would and Danes, "neutrals" in the only be necessary in bombard- semiwar, their governments hav ment of strong fortifications.) ing paid the tribute demanded They can be bought in Italy, he by the Bashaw. says. He also wants authority to From the first it became evi- purchase the same type of light craft used by the pirates. His plan was not to prevent the pirates from attacking and taking American shipping, to act as a super-policeman. His plan was to sink their misbegotten navy, then go on in and blow the forts to Kingdom Come, land and completely wipe out the nest of vipers for all time, In the process, of course, he would have the extreme pleasure of hanging the renegades, starting with Lisle, for without their know-how, the pirate effort could never have amounted to much. IT WAS A POLICY that set well with the personnel of his squadron, especially the young lieutenants and midshipmen.