Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-27

John Kilby, Quarter, Gunner of the
 United states ship Bonhomme Rich-
 ard, Tells How the American Cap
 tain Accepted the Challenge of tho
 British Ship serapis = sinking of
 Jones' Vessel.
 The methods of fighting used by Gap tain John Paul Jones, the famous American naval officer, whose body is to be conveyed from France in Admi- ral Sigsbee's squadron for burial at Washington, are yividly portrayed in the Narrative of John Kilby, Quarter Gunner of the United States Ship Bon homme Richard, Under Paul Jones" published in the July Scribner's.
 How the challenge of the British ship Serapis was accepted by Paul Jones is thus described:
 '"The Bonhomme Richard was still bearing down on the large ship, which was then protecting large fleet of merchant ships. In order to protect that valuable convoy, as it was his duty, he (the enemy hove to, hauled up his canvas and prepared for action. Side lanthorns, of course, were up throughout the enemy's ship. and ev- cry man at quarters was plain to be seen. We were then but very small distance from them, and you may be sure that our ship was as well prepared for action as it was in the power of man to have ship. While we were still bearing down upon the enemy she hailed us in these words: Hole! The ship a-hoiev
 Our captain, with large trumpet in his hands, made no answer The en- emy again cried. The ship a-hoie. Jones then in very loud voice said, I can't tell what you say The enemy again replied, Tell me what ship that Is directly or I will sink you Jones then answered, Sink and be d-dv Both ships were within fifty yards of each other. and at the words sink and be d-d' fully believe no man living could tell which ship fired first, but so it was that each ship fired a broadside. I was at this time on the lower deck, commanding two of the eighteen pound CTS. Before the action commenced ev- erything was so silent that a man could easily hear everything said. At the second broadside the guns that had command of were dismounted, as were also all of our lower deck guns, and of course the men were quartered elsewhere. At this time Jones ordered the helm to be put hard up and to run the enemy on board. It was done. In doing this her jib boom ran between our mizzen shrouds and mizzenmast. Her jib boom carried away our ensign staff and colors. At this they gave three cheers. We answered them with one cheer. Jones at the same time cried out, Look at my mizzen peak!' at which place was run up the glory of America-I mean the most handsome suit of colors that ever saw. They were about thirty six feet in the fly"
 A sidelight on Paul Jones is seen in the following incident:
 "Our ship was making much water. James Gulinson (Gunnison), the car penter of the ship, whose duty it was. reported to our commander the situa- tion of the ship as often as she re- quired 1t. which was at first every thirty minutes, secondly every twenty, and finally every fifteen minutes. At last he reported to Jones in my hear ing that the ship then had six feet six inches of water in the hold and that she was sinking fast To this Jones replied: Never mind, if she sinks there are plenty of spars on deck, and we shall not be drowned. Go back and do the best you cam"
 The sinking of the Bonhomme Rich ard. Paul Jones' ship, when both she and the Serapis were on fire, is thus described:
 ''Without loss of time all hands were mustered to endeavor to extinguish the fire on both ships. The fire was at this time nearly all over both ships and even as high as their tops. Our ship was on fire within three feet of her magazine. The fire on board both ships was at last conquered, though by much harder work than the fighting during the action. By the time all this was accomplished daylight began to make its appearance. Then both ships. heads together. with all our fleet. were turned toward the Texel in Holland. We then cleared the ships decks of the dead. and at the rising of the sun we hove overheard 100 dead bodies. One hundred more were wounded. be- tween thirty-five and forty of whom died the next day before o'clock. During this time we also rigged up jury masts on board the Sea-Raper, our prize ship. At 4 o'clock in the aft. ernoon our good ship the Bonhomme Richard. which had 90 short a time be- fore carried us through all the dangers of the night. sunk. although every man that could be spared from every ship in the fleet was assisting us to keep her above water.
 70 heavens. It was enough to bring tears from the heart of the most u2- thinking man! She went down head foremost with all sails set-studding sails. topgallant sails. royals. sky scrapers and every sail that could be put on a ship-jack. pennant and that beautiful ensign that she so gallantly wore while in action and when we con quered- A most glorious sight. Alas. she Is gone. never more to be seenr'