Bainbridge.

This is coolbert:

"Kiss the hand of the Dey"

[please note the bodyguard of the Dey. Armed with a jezail rifle!]

We are all familiar now with the U.S. Navy SEAL sharpshooters and their exploits "offing" the Somali pirates.

Good show, very good show!!

Captain Phillips rescued from his ordeal, the miscreants being gotten their comeuppance. Big time comeuppance too. Well deserved.

Sharpshooters, firing from the USS Bainbridge. A naval ship well named - - and well suited - - for the role of anti-piracy direct action.

A ship - - named in honor of William Bainbridge, a U.S. naval commander from over two hundred years ago, who was both humiliated and disgraced at the hands of the Barbary Pirates. A man, however, who "did not give up the fight", later emerging as a very successful combat commander in the War of 1812.

The career of Bainbridge - - when engaging in combat with pirates was "checkered"? Having to act first as a messenger boy for the Dey [the various rulers of the Barbary Pirates were called the Deys or the Bashaws], then delivering pernicious tribute, finally captured with his ship and held prisoner for three years.

BUT, later commanding the USS Constitution in the famous sea battle with the HMS Java.

Triumphant over the British when the British were triumphant over everyone else!!

That crew of the Bainbridge and SEALS have done themselves proud. Keeping a fighting naval lineage alive and well!!

coolbert.