Action of 31 October 1803
| Action of 31 October 1803 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of First Barbary War | |||||||
Capture of USS Philadelphia | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| United States | Tripolitania | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
William Bainbridge (POW) David C. Porter (POW) | Murad Reis | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Frigate Philadelphia | 9 vessels | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
Philadelphia captured 307 captured | None | ||||||
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The Action of 31 October 1803 was a naval engagement between the United States Navy and the Tripolitan Navy during the First Barbary War. During the blockade of Tripoli, USS Philadelphia ran aground while chasing a Tripolitan ship. Philadelphia was captured by the Tripolitans and enslaved its entire crew. The capture of Philadelphia was a major setback for the Americans and was considered humiliating.