This was probably done by French agents in Sicily.
At the beginning of hostilities, the Tripolitans placed great reliance upon their ability to fight at close quarters.

Undeniably, they did better in such position than in handling their ships.

They had all the viciousness of wild cats, and it has been shown how fiercely they fought in hand-to-hand encounters; but their experience with the Americans taught them that they were to be dreaded in any situation where their anger was aroused, and, as a consequence, the Turks became less eager for tests of individual strength, skill and bravery..