Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-04-04
PAUL9J JONES';
The Scourge of the Ocean.

others. His exploits were always marked
by a daring confidence in his ultimate
success, and he achieved ends in many
cases with remarkably inadequate means.
He was born July 6, 1747. Arbigland,
in the parish Of Kirkbeau, Scotland. His
fathers name was John Paul The name
Of Jones was assumed in addition at a
later date. His father was a gardener,
and continued. during his life, in the en-
ploy of Mr.. Craik, Of Arbigland.
The early education of Paul Jones was
limited, but thorough as far as it went
At the early age of twelve he was re-
gularIy apprenticed to follow the sea.
His master was Mr.. Younger, a
merchant in the American trade. His
first voyage was to America. On arri-
wing at his destination he found his bro
ther William, who had been resident
here for number of years. With this
brother he remained during the time he
was in port. Jones manifested aptness
for the profession. and made at this period
several very successful voyages.
In 1867, while returning to Scotland in
the John, as a passenger, the master and
mate died ofthe yellow fever, and Jones
assumed the direction of the vessel, which
he carried safely into port. He received
the command ofthe vessel hehad rescued,
as his reward. Thus we find Jones, at
the age Of twenty. or at least twenty -oue,
in full command of a merchant vessel. an
instance Of promotion, which, with the
obscure and unpatronized, never occurs
without the existence Of great merit. In
the employ of the owners of this vessel.
Jones sailed two years. at the end Of
which time the firm dissolved. From this
date. up to his departure for America. he
followed the sea in various capacities.
going twice to the coast of Africa, OH sla-
wing expeditions.
In 1878 his brother William died in
Virginia, leaving him heir to his estate
In order to attend to his property he came
to America, and it was shortly after his
arrival that he assumed the name Of
Jones. The reasons for the adoption Of
this name have never been definitely Civ
en-.
Jones' connection with the American
navy commenced sometime in December,
ITS He was ordered to the Alfred,
twenty-fours guns, as first lieutenant
On board this vessel, at Philadelphia, on
the 10th Of December. 1875. he hoisted,
for the first time, the adopted flag of the
United Colonies This flag bore the rep
resentation Of pine tree and rattlesnake
with this motto-"Don't Tread on Me-"
While attached to the Alfred he came
first under fire Of nm engagement with the
Glasgow. twenty four guns, of Newport
The Alfred was badly cutup in this affair,
which resulted in the escape Of the Glas-
gov into Newport. In variety of COM
mands which Jones undertook about this
time. he particularly distinguished him
self by his Promptness Of action, and the
ability which he displayed in seizing at
once on the best modes of extricating
himself from impending danger
1t was under command Of John Paul
Jones that the American vessel, the Bon
H omme Richard, fought the English bat
tleship Scraps, on Marlborough Head
This action was particularly noted for the
the fury with which it was conducted on
both sides. Before noting any of the in
cidents of this engagement, it will be well
TO mention the strength of the Two yes
sells engaged.
The Bon Homme Richard was former
| ly an Indiamen belonging to the French,
and was called the Due de Duras. She
was fourteen years old. and although
bought for fast sailer and sound hull
proved to be dull under sail and rotten
in timber. She was a long. single decked
sh p. Her armament, all told, was forty
two guns. The Scraps was a new
ship, carrying forty-four guns. and about
three hundred and Fifty men.
The engagement took place on the 23I
OF September, 1879. 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 together that the gunners were obli-
ged to pass the rammers into the mouths
of the hostile ports to get them into their
guns. OF course the execution done al
this short range was terrific Every
where resounded with interminglsd cheers
aud groans. The Dr., were strswn abou,
in every direction, and the most awfu
confusion prevailed. The Richard wa:
frequently on FIRE. and at the close Of the
action was in sinking condition Hel
side VS. almost destroyed by the guns o
the Scraps. and nothing prevented the
quarter and main deck from literally fall
ing down upon the lower deck but a few
top timbers that fortunately remained
standing. This left Jones and his com
paniOns fighting on sort of stage, uphele
by stanehiOns that were liable at any mo
ment to give way.
The loss on both sides was fearful,
great. Full one hundred and Gfty OF the
Richards men were killed aud the Sera
pis lost one hundred and seventeen. Th,
Scraps finally struck her colors, and tht
bloody carnage ceased, and upon the hea
wing wave hoated the two shattered hulls
freighted with the manned, the dying ant
the dead. Great efforts were made t.
keep the Bon Honme Richard afloat, bu