First Battle of Tripoli Harbor

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First Battle of Tripoli Harbor
Part of the First Barbary War
USS Boston
Date May 16, 1802 Location Off Tripoli, Mediterranean Sea 32°54′17″N 13°11′36″E / 32.90472°N 13.19333°E / 32.90472; 13.19333 Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Sweden  United States	Tripolitania
Commanders and leaders
Rudolf Cederström Daniel McNeill	Burak Rouse
Strength
3 frigates	7 corsairs
Casualties and losses
None	1 corsair grounded

The First Battle of Tripoli Harbor was a naval battle fought on May 16, 1802, in Tripoli Harbor between a combined force consisting of the American frigate USS Boston and two Swedish Navy frigates against several Tripolitan Barbary corsairs. The Swedish-American force was enforcing the blockade when an engagement broke out between it and Tripolitan forces. The Allied fleet damaged the Tripolitan squadron as well as the harbor fortifications before withdrawing and resuming the blockade.