War and Conflict Journal

Somali pirates apparently bit off more than they could chew when the crew of the American cargo vessel, the Maersk Alabama, resisted the pirates’ attempt to hijack their ship.  The Somali pirates attacked some 380 miles off the coast of Somalia, and initially took control of the ship.  However, before the American naval vessel, the USS Bainbridge could arrive, the crew had fought back, forcing the pirates to abandon ship.  Unfortunately, the pirates kept the Maersk Alabama’s captain, Richard Phillips as a hostage.

For more information, see http://www.historyguy.com/somali_pirate_attack_maersk_alabama.htm