The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-05-16

teen years old, and although bought for a
fast sailor and a sound hull, proved to be
dull under sail and rotten in timber. She
was long, single-decked ship. Her arma.
ment all told, was forty-two guns. The
Scraps was a new ship carrying forty -four
guns, and abont three hundred and fifty
men. ---
The engagement took place on the 23d of
September, 1878. At an early hour the
ships became entangled with each other and
continued lashed side by side during the
whole action. They were so close togeth-
er that the gsnners were obliged to pass the
rammers into the mouths of the hostile ports
to get them into their guns of course the ex-
ecution done at this short range was terrific.
Everywhere resounded with intermingled
cheers and groans. The dead were stre#h
about in every direction, and the most awful
confusion prevailed The Richard was fire.
queutly on FIRE, and at the close of the ac-
ton was in sinking condition. Her side
was almost destroyed by the guns of the
Scraps, and nothing prevented the quarter
and main deck from literally falling down
upon the lower deck but few top timbers
that fortunately remained standing: This
left Jones and his companions fighting on a
sort cfstage, upheld by stanchions that were
liable at any moment to give way.
The loss on both sides was fearfully great.
Full one hundred and fifty of the Richards
men were killed, and the Scraps lost one
hundred and seventeen. The Scraps final
ly struck colors, ane the bloody carnage
ceasee, and upon the heaving wave foated
the two shattered hulls; freighted with the
MANNED, the dying and the dead. Great eff
forts were made to keep the Bon Homme
Richard aAoat, but after toiling a whole
day and night, it became evident that she
had "fought her last battle" Her men, and
such articles as it was desirable or possible
to save, were transferred to the Scraps, and
at ten clock the old Due de Duras settled
majestically into the bosom Of the sea.
Paul Jones arrived at the Texel, Holland
with his prize. Here he was bIockaded by
British feet from the Downs. This feet
consisted of twenty-one line-of-battle ships,
which were disposed in such manner as to
threaten complete destruction to Jones
should he attempt to leave his anchorage.
A reward of ten thousand guineas was Of
fered for the head Of the famous John Paul
Jones. This much sought-after individual
determined to run the gauntlet and escape if
possible. Having fully instructed his men,
he availee himself Of day when the wind
was blowing gale off shore, and weighing
anchor, came down under easy sail toward
the center of the British feet. .
He directed his course so as to come un-
der the lee of the batte-ship from whence
the Admiral's flag was flying. ....
His motions were watched by the whole
fleet who supposed he had come out to sur
render. At this moment Jones gave the
word, his ship, the Alliance, became cloud
of canvass, and he flew past the astonshed
admiral, delivering a full broadside as he
passed! Onward he flew, delivering and re-
ceving broadside after broadside, and es-
capped without the loss of a mast or spar.
Jones sailed at once for Brest, in France;
and while In the channel captured two val
liable prizes bound for London, with which
he arrived safely in port. ...
On the 10Th of October, 1887, Congress
voted him gold medal in honor of his ser
vices. Jones quilted America in November,
1887, and never again visited its Shores
He was afterward engaged in the Russian
service, being sent to the Black Sea by the
Empress Catharine, as rear-admiral, imme-
distely his arrival in St. Petersburg. April
%, 1888, he joined Prince Potenkin, who,
had the command of the Russian forces in
the Black Sea. His connection with the
Russian service is complex history of dis
appointment and intrigue.
While in this service he was in many Sc
we're engagements, and showed great person.
al courage, though the opportunity never
seemed to present itself for the exhibition
of any remarkable exploit, or quality wor-
thy of his previous career.
He resided for some time preceding his
death in Paris where he died on the eighteen
ofJuly. 1876, at the age of forty-fve.
A distinguished writer, himself sailor,
in speaking of aul Jones, sums up his quail
tiles in the following manner: sa,.,
"In battle, Paul Jones was brave, in en-
terprise, hardy and original; in victory,
mild and generous; in motives, much dispos-
ed disinterestedness, though ambitious of
renown, and covetous of distinction. In
his pecuniary relations he was liberal; in his
affection, natural and sincere; and in his
temper, just and forbearing. Ss.t,amtat
g. ------Nsses---------------
SHAVING ON SUNDAY Boston Time,
ridicules the authorities of that city for CON-
peliing all the barber shops to, close on
Sunday, and the editor, who is a man of
taste, adds. sg, IA szs,- .l-r
p "The forbidding of man to kiss his wife
on Sunday is not half 30 ridiculous as to en-
deavor to ureyent him Vfrom haina aha avad