Somalian pirates attack another U.S. ship

Somalian pirates attacked and damaged an American ship carrying humanitarian aid Tuesday, but the assailants relented before the U.S. navy arrived to provide escort, the U.S. military and the shipping company said.

The pirates fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons at the Liberty Sun as it carried food for famine-wracked countries in Africa, said the vessel's owner, Liberty Maritime Corp.

The ship was en route from Houston to Mombasa, Kenya, with a roughly 20-member crew, officials said.

"We are under attack by pirates. We are being hit by rockets. Also bullets," crew member Thomas Urbik told his mother by email. "We are barricaded in the engine room and so far no one is hurt."

After the ship reported being attacked, the USS Bainbridge — the destroyer that assisted in the rescue of the captain of the Maersk Alabama last week — sailed to its aid, said navy Capt. Jack Hanzlik, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla.

The Bainbridge arrived about six hours later to find that the pirates had left, and there were no injuries, Hanzlik said.

The ship was continuing on its way to Mombasa late Tuesday, he said.

Liberty Maritime praised the government's response, as well as that of it crew.

"We commend the entire crew for its professionalism and poise under fire," the company said in a written statement.