Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-09
JONES AND POTEMKIN[
The Latter the Bitter Enemy
Of the American
IN THE BLACK SEA
NAVAL COMMANDERS RUSSIAN
SERVICE.
Resigned His Command in Disgust
His Friendship for Suwarrow,
the Warrior.

ship Potemkine and the elaborate cere-
monies attendant on the transfer of the
remains of John Paul Jones from the GUS
tody OF the French to that Of the Ameri-
cans recall the fact that these two names
were closely associated at one time. John
Paul Jones. who founded the American
navy. saw his last sea service as an ad-
miral in the navy which Peter the Great
established.
Nicholas II would be happy II he now
had treading the deck of one Of his flag
ships the intrepid and immortal American
sailor who commanded the Black sea fleet
Of his predecessor. Catherine H. in her war
with Turkey. The Russian navy has never
had so great sailor Admiral Jones in
it's 200 years of history, and, In fact. has
never had one that seems to have accom-
plished any particular important sue
cesses since the Great Peter founded it,
Founding the Russian Navy.
The fame of Russias greatest ruler Is
founded quite as much on his establish
ment of a navy for his country and the
making of his nation sea power as 1t is
on his exertions to extend Russian terri
tory and increase the civilization of Russia
The renowned but terrible Muscovite SOW
ereign, as Is well known, repaired while
young man to Holland. in order to study
the art and mystery of shipbuilding. The
little shop where Peter worked with his
own hands was in Saardam.
The first vessel that was built in Russia
was a small skiff, which was planned and
built almost entirely by Peters own
hands. This skif was constructed at Mos
cow, where 1t remained for twenty or thirty
years. an object all this time, in Peter s
mind of special affection and regard. At
length when the naval power of his empire
was established. Peter conceived the idea
80
Petersburg, and consecrating it solemnly
as a souvenir to be preserved forever in
commemoration of the small beginnings
from which the naval greatness of the en-
pire had sprung. The historian Abbott thus
tells the story:
THE name which he had given the skif
was The Little Grandfather the name de-
noting that the little craft frail' and in
significant as II was, was the parent and
prOgenitor of all the great frigateS and
ships of the line which late in his reign
laid at anchor In the roads of Cronstadt
and off the mouth of the Neva. the river on
which his new capital stood. A grand cere-
mony was arranged for the conservation of
the Little Grandfather The little vessel
was brought in triumph from Moscow to
Petersburg, where it was put on board of
sort of barge or galliot to be taken to
Cronstadt All the great officers of state
and all the foreign ministers We're invited
to be present at the conservation. The
company embarked on board yachts pro-
vided for them, and went down the river
following the Little Grandfather which
was borne on It's galiot in the van-drums
beating, trumpets sounding and banners
waving all the way.
Saluted by the Fleet.
"The next day the whole fleet, which had
been collected in the bay for this purpose.
was arranged in the form of an amphi-
theater. The Little Grandfather was let
fror lie Ot into ha
emperor went on board Of it, He was &C
companied by the admiral and vice adj
mirals of the fleet who were to serve as
crew. The admiral stationed himself at
the helm to steer. and the vice admirals
took the oars. These grand officials were
not required, however, to do much hard
work at rowing, for there were two shall
lops provided. manned by strong men, to
tow the skin. In this way the skin rowed
TO and fro over the sea, and then passed
along the fleet, saluted everywhere by the
shouts of the crews upon the yards and in
the rigging, and by the guns of the ships.
Three thousand guns were discharged by
the ships in these salvos in honor of their
humble progenitor. The Little Grand
father returned the salutes Of the guns
with great spirit by means OF three small
swivels, which had been placed on board.
The Empress Catherine / saw the show
from an elevation on the shore where she sat
with the ladies of her court in a pavilion
or tent which had been erected for that
purpose
AT the close of the ceremonies the skiff
was deposited with great ceremony in the
place which had been prepared to receive
1t in the castle Of Cronstadt. and one more
day was spent in banquetings and rejoic-
ings.''
John Paul Jones and Potemkine.
John Paul Jones, then one of the most
illustrious naval commanders Of the world.
character he has never since lost. was
designated by order of the Empress Cath
crime II to organize and command the Rus
sian Black Sea fleet crush the Turks and.
by gaining control of the ancient Euxine,
huri them beyond the Caucasus and the
Danube.
Turkey was then a far more formidable
power than at present, controlling, as she
did the entire Black sea.
The sultan had indeed been bold enough
to declare war against the empress. The
admiral went at his new work with his
accustomed ability, and an energy well ex-
hibited in the speed with which he pro-
ceeded to his fleet. He left st. Petersburg
Immediately after relieving his commission,
and went to his post. l.50O miles away, at
a rate OF progress of ninety miles every
twenty-four hours-and no railroads.!
Under all the conditions then existing his
task was colossal, and he was constantly
inferfered with by the empress favorites.
headed by Prince Potemkin. who command
ed the land forces. with which he was to
cooperate in taking Oczakoff, strongly
fortified city at the mouth of the Dneiper.
His naval force consisted OF but nineteen
serviceable vessels. and Of his crews only
one-fourth were sailors.
The admiral made no attempt to learn the
Russian language and did not seem to be
disturbed by the ignorance of his crews.
He did much In the way OF organization,
Improvement Of discipline and efficiency.
In the engagements he served with his
fleet with his accustomed valor and dis
t!nction His part in the war. however,
was not and could not be satisfactory. He
might have equaled his earlier exploits In
another arena had 1t not been that he was
continually interfered with, hampered and
he thought insulted by Potemkin and the
other land commanders. who We're ignor-
ant Of naval warfare.
Friendship for Suwarrow.
For one of the Russian generals. the
famous. plain, blunt soldier. Alexander
Suwarrow, however. the admiral conceived
passionate admiration. He said. after
his return to Paris: THAT willy old Rus
sian general was the only friend l had
there. The friendship OF Alexander Su-
NARROW was Of the sort that tells the
plain truth. that never fatters or deceives.
He was as true as he was brave.
I am not sure that Russia does not see
in him now the greatest soldier she will