Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-07-06
JOHN PAUL JONES.
COURAGE THAT MADE HISTORY.


the necessity of fitting out vessels for
sea warfare, and that body immedi-
ately took steps to supply the need.
Among the first volunteers was res
ident Of Virginia, one John Paul
Jones. He was the son Of a Scotch
gardener. Born in the year l747, he
had followed the sea from his youth,
but in l773 had settled in Virginia
on an estate inherited from his broth
er. He was made lieutenant IN the
navy in ITS, when, out Of gratitude
to General Jones, of North Carolina,
he assumed his name. Made captain
in the fall of l776, he raised the first
flag ever displayed on United States
ship-of- war. Most of his operations
were conducted on the coast of the
British Isles, where, familiar with
every reef and shadow, he proved a
sore plague to British merchantmen.
He was bold and skilful sea.rover.
OF all his adventures, that which best
shows his Characteristic of indomlta-
bic courage was TIE celebrated sea-
fight between the Scraps" and the
"Bonhomme Richard.
In the autumn of l779 Jones was
cruising on the sea coast of Scotland
with feet of vessels which had been
fitted out in France. His flagship
was the "Bonhomme Richard, a worn
out merchantmen, rotten in her hulk,
carrying old guns, and manned by a
crew which included the rag-tag of a
dozen nations. She had forty-two
guns, of which number six were
teen-pounders He had an able
lieutenant in the person of Richard
Dale, and they had captured many
prizes, and had over hundred En-
glsh prisoners on board.
On the afternoon of the twenty
third of September, l779, while cruis-
ing near Marlborough Head, his
squadron discovered the Baltic feet
of forty vessels, conveyed by two fiji
gates, the Scraps" and the Count
ess Of Scarborough" Jones immedi-
ately sigualed for pursuit. The mer-
chantmen withdrew, and let the war
vessels free for the fight. Two Of
Jones squadron, unwilling to fight,
Jagged behind. The Scarborough"
was engaged by the "Pallas,' which
in the end compelled her to strike.
Jones found himself opposed to the
Scraps" a vessel commanded by
Richard Pearson, and carrylny fifty
guns, some twenty Of which were
eighteen-pounders.
The early autumn night had fallen
on the North Sea. To the west
famed the yellow beacon on Flam-
borough Head, point of light in the
darkness. Jones was on the quarter
deck, searching the sea with his night
gla,s, as the old Richard" numbered
toward her enemy. In ths gloom it
was impossible to distinguish friend
from foe. Suddenly there came a hail
from the "Serapis:"
What ship is that 2
There was no answer.
Answer, or | fire came the hail.
And then, just as Captain Pearson
ordered his men to FIRE, came reply,
Boom Boom Boom !" 1t was the
voice Of the great guns on the Rich
ards" lower deck, and they were
answering for John Paul Jones. The
battle had begun.
1t was Just seven o'clcck. For half
an hour the frigates manoeuvered, each
pouring tons Of metal into the other.
Guns burst on board the Richard,
and did as much damage ss the enemy.
Marines stationed on the decks kept
up an incessant musket- fire. The
ships were go close together that nc
shots missed. The destruction was
terrible. The sides Of the old mer-
chantman were riddled. Several shots
entered below the waterline, aud the
Richard" began to fl.
At this juncture the Scraps" drew
slightly ahead, and attempted to eros;
the bows Of her enemy and rake hel
with broadside. But the manoeu.
yer was badly managed, and the Ser.
apis" was forced TO go into the wind
directly in front Of the Richard.
The bow Of the latter was almost IL
contact with the stern Of the English
ship. For an instant the fire from the
big guns ceased. Then from the Ser
apis" his words punctusted by mus
ket-shots, came the voice Of Pearson
"Hsve you surrendered"
He had mistaken the silence for de
feat. Perhaps an ordinary mar
would have been ready to surrender