Knowing the daring nature of Decatur, he was given strict orders not to attempt to cut out the _Philadelphia_, but to destroy her.
Late in the day, February 9, 1804, the ketch left Syracuse for Tripoli, accompanied by the _Siren_, Lieutenant Stewart, to cover the retreat.
The weather became so bad that the attempt had to be postponed, since the ketch was sure to be dashed to pieces on the rocks.

The impatient crew was compelled to withdraw and wait for a week before the weather moderated.

On the 15th, everything being favorable, the crew of the ketch bade good-by to their friends and set out on their perilous mission.
The night was clear and starlit, and at nine o'clock the ketch was in full view of the city and its twinkling lights, with the dark shores crowded with batteries, while far ahead, under the guns of the Bashaw's castle, lay the _Philadelphia_.

The wind fell and the little craft crept slowly through the water, seemingly into the very jaws of death, until the outlines of the silent frigate loomed to sight through the gloom.
Following Decatur's guarded orders, the men lay flat on the deck, all concealing themselves as best they could, while five or six, dressed as Maltese sailors, lounged about in plain sight.
The quartermaster at the wheel, obeying the directions of Decatur, steered so as to foul the _Philadelphia_, from which there suddenly came a hail.

Lieutenant Decatur whispered to the pilot to say they had just arrived from Malta, and, having lost their anchor, wished to make fast to the _Philadelphia's_ cables until another could be got from shore.