Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-08-30
Paul Jones'

interesting sketches, by Mr.. Thomas Chase, Of
Chesterfield, of "The Life, Character, and Times
of Paul Jones'" They throw much light on the
character of Paul Jones, and give, we doubt not,
most faithful account of the famous battle OF
his ship, the Bon Honme Richard, with the
Scraps. After stating that the ships were lock-
ed together, which was effected by Jones, be-
cause he saw that to keep off at fair CUR. shot,
with new and strong frigate like the Scraps,
would never do for such crazy old hulk as the
Bon Homme Richard, Mr.. Chase proceeds:
"The working of the big guns had been sus-
pended during the time OF lashing the ships to-
gether, but was now resumed. Of course nei-
ther ship could use but her guns on one side,
and these were nearly muzzle to muzzle-so near
that those who handled the ramrods sometimes
bit each other. Fair play, you d--d Yam
kee!' an Euglishman would exclaim. Mind
your eyes, John Bull, or I',' &c.
"The firing was not rapid, particularly on
Jones' part for it could do the ships no hurt, ex-
oept to knock the guns about little, and knock
off the gunwales, and occasionally raise cloud
of splinter's from each others decks. Jones and
his men kept very sharp look out that Pear
son and his men did not cut the lashings and
sever the ships Neither of these ships was
damaged between wind and water nor could
they now be by any use of the big guns. Both
had men in the rigging doing all the mischief
they could. In this kind of play, Jones had the
best of it (; for his men were more terrible, and
his spars were longer, still Pearson would not
surrender, insisting that Jones ought 10.
"Oaptain Landas, with the Alliance, came up
to help Jones, and fred broadside; but of ne
cessity it hurt Jones as much as it did Pearson.
Jones Immediately cried out, Capt. Landas, let
US alone; can handle him. Both ships were
often on fire, and as often was the fire extin-
guished Had it not been for the men in the
rigging, this was one of the safest sea-hghts, so
far as those on deck were concerned, that almost
ever happened-I mean after the ships were
lashed together. The flash of the guns would
90 clear across each deck, and the men, by keep
ing good look out could avoid being hurt, on
ly by stepping little aside.
"Had the Bon Homme Richard been new,
strong ship, as was the Scraps, both might have
lain there and burned powder and thrown shot
until they rotted as to sinking either with the
guns of the other. But the Bon Homme Rich
ard was old and rotten, and was leaking badly
before Jones made her last to the Scraps and
thus fast, the strain upon her against the other
ship and from the explosion of the guns made
her leak worse, and it was evident that she must
ere long go down.
sSome of Jones' men and one of his officers
told him she must soon go down, aud suggested
a surrender. You never mind that; you shall
have better ship to go home in said Jones,
pleasantly. Jones and all his men, and Pearson
and his crew, very well knew that If the Bon
Homme Richard was about to sink, she would
capsize the Serapis, and both must 60 down to-
eether. 1t was, therefore, likely to be test be-
tween Jones and Pearson--which, for the sake
of saving himself and men from watery grave,
would strike first.
eBut Jones had recourse to stratagem,
which was completely successful. He secretly
sent his men below, one by one, with the strict
est possible orders to be fully prepared tor
boarding, and at given signal to rush on deck,
and he would lead them on to the deck OF the
Scraps, and clear it. So Jones' men seemed to
diminish, though not very fast, until only about
thirty were left on his deck. Pearson supposipg
they were killed or badly wounded, and that
Jones must soon strike, was thrown completely
off his guard. This was Jones' time. Giving
his signal his men were ready in an instant, and
with Jones ahead, with his deadly sword, rush
ed like hell.hounds' upon the deck of the Sera-
Dis, killing everything they could reach, and in
very short time would have killed everything
on board; but Captain Pearson, seeing his time
had come, cried with loud voice, Captain
Jones, surrender'-at the same time taking
his sword by the blade, and presenting the han.
die to Jones, and with the next breath ordered
the colors to be taken down.
"This was in the night. The next day even.
ing, the Bon Homme Richard went down head
foremost. Thus terminated the strangest naval
fight on record Paul Jones took the Scraps,
but Captain Pearson sunk the Bon Homme
Richard