Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-27
THE GAZETTE.
SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 81. 1859.
PAUL JONES

SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 81. 1859.
PAUL JONES.
The Virginia Index il publishing series
of interesting sketches, by Mr.. Thomas Chase,
ofChester6eld, of 1.-The Life. Character, and
Times of Paul Jones'" They throw much
light on the character of Paul Jones, and
yfye, we doubt not. most faithful account of
the famous battle of bis ship, the Bon liomme
Richard, with the Scraps. After stating
that the ships we're locked together, which
was effected by Jones, because he saw that
10 keen off at fair gun-shot, with q new and
strong frigate like the Scraps. would never do
for such crazy old hulk rs the Bon Homme
Richard. Mr.. Chase proceeds:
1.-The working Of the big guns had been
suspended during the time of lashing the
ships together, but was now resumed. Of
course neither 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 hit each other. Fair
play, you damned Yankee! al Englishman
would exclaim. Mind your eye, John Bull,
orPl,' &c.
"The firing was not rapid, particularly ON
Jones' part, for it could do the ships no hurt,
except to knock the guns about little, and
knock of the gunwales, and occasionally
raise cloud of splinters from each other 3
decks Jones and his men kepta very shsrp
lookout that Pearson and his men did not
cut the lashings and sever the ships. Neith.
er of these ships was damaged between vino
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 and yards were longer: still Pearson
would not surrender, insisting that Jones
ought to.
Capt. Landais, with the Alliance. came up
to help Jones, and fred q brOadside; but OF
necessity it hurt Jones as much as 1t did
Pearson. Jones Immediately cried out,
Capt. Landais, let US alone; l can handle
him. Both ships were often on fire, and as
often was the FIRE e1tinguished. Had it not
been for the men in the rigging, this was
one of the safest sea-6ghts, 80 far as those
on deck were concerned, that almost ever
happened mean after the ships were lash
ed together. The flash of the guns would
90 clear across each deck and the men, by
keeping good lookout could avoid being
hurt, only by stepping q 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 sink
ing either with the guns Of the other. But
the Bon Homme Richard was old and rotten,
and was leaking badly before Jones made
her fast 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
'Some of Jones' men and one of his officers
told him she must soon 60 down, and sug-
gested a surrender. You never mind that;
you shall have better ship to 60 home in,
said Jones, pleasantly. Jones and all his
crew, very we'll knew that if the Bon HON.
Inc Richard was about to sink, she would
capsize the Scraps. and both must go down
together. 1t was, therefore, likely to be u
test between Jones and Pesrson-which, for
the sake of saving himself and men from a
watery grave, would strike first.
"Bur Jones had recourse to stratagem,
which was completely successful. He secret
" sent his men below, one by one, with the
strictest possible orders to be fully prepared
for boarding, and at given signal to rush
on deck, and he would lead them on to the
deck of the Scraps, and clear 1t. 80 Jones
men seemed to diminish. though not very
fast, until only about thirty were left on his
deck. Pearson, supposing 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, rushed
like 'hell-hounds' upon the deck OF the Sera.
ps, killing everything they could , reach and
in avery short time would have Killed every
thing 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 handle to Jones' and Titn
the next breath ordered the colors to be taken
down.
"This was in the night. The next day,
evening, the Bon Homme Richard wen. down
head foremost. Thus terminated the strang-
est naval fight on record. Paul Jones took
the Scraps, but Captain Pearson sunk the
Bon Homme Richard"