April 1st, 2010
09:07 AM ET

U.S. warship captures suspected pirate mother ship

The USS Nicholas came under fire from a pirate vessel and then captured it.

A U.S. warship sank a pirate skiff and captured a pirate mother ship in the Indian Ocean on Thursday, according to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

The frigate USS Nicholas came under fire from a pirate vessel shortly after midnight in international waters west of the Seychelles, according to a U.S. military statement.

The Nicholas returned fire and pursued the skiff as it fled, capturing it about 90 minutes later. Three suspected pirates aboard the skiff were taken into custody, along with two others aboard a suspected pirate mother ship that was nearby.

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Filed under: Military • Pirates • World
soundoff (607 Responses)
  1. Gee Gog

    It's good to see a justifiable use of the US military for a change!

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  2. Hildebrand the pirate

    The pirates forgot a cardinal rule of piracy: Never attack a ship stronger than yourself. Great job navy!

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  3. Hugh D Mann

    What the heck the those pirates think they were shooting at? One would think that the BIG white numbers on the front would have been a give away

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  4. Bernie

    I wonder if they thought it was some April fools joke? I believe the Navy did it exactly right! They could have blown them out of the water easily, but this way they will be an example of "Don't screw with the US Navy!". Let em carry the message far and wide!

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  5. David Berry

    Did the pirates have a deeper motive for firing on a US Navy vessel? It may be part of larger strategy to draw the US into this piracy game off Somalia. Once the US is drawn into the game, the pirates can claim they were being bullied and can conventiently hide under the fashionable "Anti-US" cloak.

    Just my thoughts. DB

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  6. Andagain

    Think maybe the pirates need glasses??

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  7. Leprakawn

    Sounds like the pirates were drinking a bit too much that morning.

    "Cap'n, a big boat!"

    "Take yer best shot, matey."

    "Oh, crap."

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  8. DirtyBob

    Sounds more like a couple guys trying to commit suicide than an attack.

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  9. RSFan

    LOL So at what point did a couple of teenagers with machine guns decide it was a good idea to try and knock off a US Navy warship? Maybe next they can try to capture an Army base with a pocket knife and Bart Simpson's slingshot. What a bunch of absolute dolts. They got what they deserved! Bye bye you pathetic little brats!

    April 1, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
  10. Bubba

    Where's Johnny Depp when they needed him? "right, you men fire on the frigate, I"m going to see if there's any more rum in the lifeboat..."

    April 1, 2010 at 10:14 am | Report abuse |
  11. Rick

    This is great news. Hopefully this will keep these pirates at bay, and cause them to rethink their strikes against innocent people. The only problem I see with this whole thing??
    Everyone hates America, so this will continue!! We help almost EVERYONE, bend over backwards to make sure their taken care of and can support themselves. In return America is almost bankrupt, our economy is suffering, all of our jobs have gone over-sea's, we don't trade goods equally with others so we have nothing to offer them, etc... We are in trouble America...and the president doesn't matter, it's our government that's doing this. All the rich are getting richer, and the poor get unemployed and forced to go on welfare and sign-up for government programs. The American public needs a bail-out, not the big businesses that can't do the right thing.

    April 1, 2010 at 10:14 am | Report abuse |
  12. Jim

    Geez, what if the pirates really took over USS Santa...? I am not laughing. We got to put agents on the ship...

    April 1, 2010 at 10:14 am | Report abuse |
  13. Mike

    Attacking an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate with a skiff is about as dumb as dumb gets. Hard to imagine what the pirates were thinking. Any of them that lived are very very lucky to be alive.

    April 1, 2010 at 10:14 am | Report abuse |
  14. ReyOfBatoCatPhil

    Glad to hear this but what I don't want to hear is free them. why not just leave them for the shark to finish them off in the water. Somtimes we have to play the games they are playing. Sorry LORD it is HOLY THURSDAY TODAY

    April 1, 2010 at 10:14 am | Report abuse |
  15. Bob

    Somali pirates are dumb enough to try to take a merchant vessel, mainly because they are poor as dirt and need money..not that theyre in the right at all but something is not being disclosed. I dont think any somali pirates in theyre dingy with ak47's consciously shot at a Navy Destroyer without a death wish

    April 1, 2010 at 10:14 am | Report abuse |
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