The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-06
Death OF Commodore Jones.

From the Philadelphia North American, August g.
Commodore Jacob Jones, whose very dangerous
illness we mentioned on Saturday morning, we
now paiaed to announce, expired during the same
evening, at his residence on Chestnut street. lie
died in his eghtythrd year, and, therefore. as full
Of age as of honor. His name has long stood third
on the list of captains Of the navy of the United
States, Commodores Barron and Stewart being his
only seniors.
At the late hour at which we receive the intelli-
gence Of his demise, it is not in oar power to pre-
pare detailed sketch Of his life and services, such
would prope rly accompany this announcement. We
are only able TO mention that he was born in the
State of Delaware, which will long be proud OF his
memory and refer to the glorious sea-fght on which
his fame is founded, the affair of the Wasp and the
Frolic, which his country viii never allow to be
forgotten This action was fought on the 18TH OF
October, 1872, and hence was one of the earliest,
AS well as one of the most brilliant, Of the naval
victories of the war. Considering, in fact, the
marked superiority ofthe British vessel in the mum.
Der of her guns, with the vastly disproporttoned
loss Inflicted upon her, it may be almost ranked, as
il has often been pronounced, the most decisive
action which was fought; and il was deemed by
foreign critics to present an extraordinary evil
dsnce of the superiority Of American over Eng
lish naval gunnery The Wasp, if our recol-
leetons serve us, had but eighteen guns; the Fro.
lie twenty-five. The latter commenced the action,
which was a close one throughout; and, within
the first seven minutes, succeeded in bringing
down several If the Wasp's spars and sails, and
in especial her main topmast, which, with the
main topeail yard, fell in such manner as to rem
the remainder of the conflict. In this crippled
state, however, and with an exceedingly rough
sea, The Wasp continued deadly and most efiec.
tuai Are; until finally, having raked and grappled
her antagonist, boarders were called, and, led by
Lieute nant Biddle, rushed board the Frolic, to
find her deck n scene Of blood and carnage, with
no living persons 10 be seen save the man at the
wheel and three officers, who threw down their
swords in token of surrender. The very ceremony
Of hauling down the flag required the aid of Ane-
mean hands; and was performed by those Of Lieu
tenant Biddle The loss of the Wasp was i've
killed and as many wounded; that Of the Frolic
was thirty killed and fifty wounded, the vessel
herself perfect wreck; and all this was the re-
suit Of conflict of only forty-three minutes dura-
ton. No wonder this victory was deemed OF 30
striking and important a character that the LePis-
lstures OF New York, Massachusetts,, Delaware,
and, believe, other States, voted Captain Jones
their thanks, with swords and pieces Of plate; that
Congress conferred upon him, his officers and men.
a handsome pecunary testimonal-his prize and
his own vessel, will he remembered, having
been captured Immediately after the fight, by the
Poicticfs seveaiy-four; and that the government
promoted him, AZ mark Of its APPRECIATION, TO the
command Of the frigsfe Macedonian. He de-
served the honor; he deserved the fame he ac-
quired. which was not a little; he deserved the
regard of a multitude Of friends. who knew how
10 prize the manly virtues of his private character