Who would ever believe that the son of a Scottish gardener would become a great naval hero and the father of the American Navy? Born on July 6, 1747, in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, his parents were John Paul and Jean McDuff. At 13, he shipped out of Whitehaven as an apprentice seamen aboard the "Friendship." It is safe to say that salt water ran through his veins because he was more comfortable lessee than anywhere else. By 1766, Paul was 1st made on the "Two Friends," Quite an Accomplishment for a 19-year-old Boy. In 1768, John Paul Assumed Command of the brig "John" when the captain and 1st mate, died of yellow fever. The owners were so impressed by his seamanship that they made him master of the brig. Over the next 2 years, the "John" made 2 voyages to the West Indies. An incident on the voyage in 1770 became an albatross for Capt. Paul, he flawed a sailor who later died. One must remember that the law of the season. The 1700s made the captain judge, jury, and executioner. Discipline was extremely harsh and just the thought of disobedience or mutiny could get one 20 lashes or hung from the dart arm very quickly. This incident haunted the reputation of Capt. Paul. On a later trip to Tobago, he was to be brought up for court-martial, so he decided to move to Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1773, to escape the predicament in which he found himself. In Virginia, his brother had recently died, so John Paul took charge of the estate and became another person, John Paul Jones. The next 2 years are somewhat of a mystery because little is known of his activities. By 1775, the Americans and British had chosen not to be friends any longer and the Continental Navy was formed. This was John Paul's cup of tea. With the help of influential friends, and Richard Henry Lee, Jones became 1st Lieut. on December 22, 1775, aboard the frigate "Alfred." On December 3, 1775. Jones had raised the 1st Continental naval flag on the "Alfred," the Grand Union flag. After a successful voyage against British shipping, Jones was appointed captain of the sloop "Providence," a 12 gun vessel. He was promised a command of one of the 13 frigates being built for the American Navy. During a six-week voyage, the "Providence" captured 16 prizes and spread considerable discomfort throughout the British shipping industry. Shortly after this cruise, Jones was given command of his previous ship "Alfred," and continued spreading father terror over British shipping interests. Not only was Capt. Jones a very accomplished seamen. He was also a bit self-centered. This kept him at odds with his superiors, who he felt were incompetent and in many instances, he was probably right. This was the same problem that existed in the British Navy. Position was bought with money and family influence, not usually one with ability. On June 14, 1777, Capt. Jones assumed command on the "Ranger" and sailed for France on November 1. Benjamin Franklin assured the fiery captain the command of a ship being built in Holland would be years, however, British intervention Rob Jones of the ship. On February 14, 1778, France became the 1st nation to salute an American man-of-war. On a cruise to England, Jones raided the village of Whitehaven and on his return voyage, encountered the "HMS Drake", a 20 gun sloop. After an hours battle in which the Drake's captain was killed Jones captured the Drake and made for Brest, France. This action was another 1st for the fledgling American Navy, the capture of the military combat. During this period of his life, Jones still was contending with a less qualified people who guided his destiny. On September 23, 1779, Capt. Jones commanding the "Bonhomme Richard," sailed out "going in harms way," seeking English merchant convoys. Off Flamborough Head, he encountered the HMS Serapis, a 44 gun British man-of-war. From the deck of the Bonhome Richard, with her flag shot away, Capt. Jones was asked if he had struck his colors. It was then that the immortal words of defiance came from Capt. Jones; "I have not yet begun to fight." The “Bonhome Richard” was lost in the fight, but the Serapis was captured. For this action, Capt. Jones was honored by France with the title of "Chevalier". The British considered him a pirate. Without prospects of employment from his adopted country, Capt. joins join the service of Catherine of Russia in 1788, with the rank of rear admiral. Jones faced many of the same problems in the Russian Navy as he had in the American Navy. Ability counted very little an injury kept him from truly being an effective commander. Embittered, he returned to Paris in May 1790. On July 18, 1792, Chevalier, John Paul Jones died in Paris, a broken, embittered man. He was buried in St. Louis Cemetery and forgotten for 113 years. On April 7, 1905, after searching for 6 years, the American ambassador to France, located the burial place and the admiral was exhumed, identified beyond a shadow of a doubt, and returned to America reward the US S Brooklyn. As the convoy approached American shores, 7 US battleships join the procession, escorting the Admiral's body to his adopted home. On January 13, 1913, John Paul Jones was reinterred in a beautiful sarcophagus in the United States Naval Academy Chapel. The ceremony was presided over by Pres. Theodore Roosevelt. Sec. of the Navy, Charles Bonaparte said of Jones; "we have met to honor the memory of that man who gave our Navy is earliest traditions of hero wisdom and victory." Beginning of
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sell fast; for I intend to go in harms way." John Paul Jones
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sell fast; for I intend to go in harms way." John Paul Jones
