Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-31
German Attack on Seaboard Is
First Suffered by England
Since 1778

IN mind the activities of one John
Paul Jones in the same region about
a century and half ago. Or she may
not At any rate, she struck at a
district which has been a historic
point Of inyasion-and the story OF
John Paul Jones is timely.
This Scottish adventurer began his
career as a sea rover as a lieutenant
in the STRIPPING navy Of the American
colonies The summer OF 1777 found
him on the way to Europe in COM
mand of the Ranger. q vessel OF little
force. which had been made seaworthy
for the venture in great haste. He
had sailed from nearly every port in
England and was well qualified to
carry. cut to the letter the terms OF
his commission, by which he was to
harrass English shipping in its own
waters. 81. j..
His purposes were baked at first
Iby violent storms, which threatened
to sink THE doughty Ranger, but as it
happened the gales drove him almost
within sight OF the English coast
After sinking a brigantine between
1.-THE island Ct Sicily and Cape Clear
and impressing her crew--the Ranger
proceeded ncrthward into st. Georges
channel. The month was April, the
Iyear 1873. 49, ''..
captures British Cargo, .
II was the 18th OF the month when
the Lord Chatham, with a cargo OF
porter and a variety of merchandise
for Dublin and Cork merchants, fell
into Jones hands. That was the real
beginning Of one OF the most daring
sea raids in naval history On the
18th he destroyed q Scotch coastfng
steamer on the Null of Galloway,
about three leagues from his native
Arbigland. But the object of Capt.
Jones planning-he was then a can.
tain-was the harbor Of Whitehaven.
where Is years before he had worked
as an apprentice. z...<->.. ~.
Meanwhile he continued his destruc-
tive cruise around the Isle of Man and
before carrickfergus, In the north OF
i Ireland; he destroyed more than a
Idozen small craft, while a richly
laden brig fell to his hand near the
Rock Of Ailsa. On the 21st he was
within sight Of Whitehayen. :, In his
mind he had determined to fire the
city and the shipping in-its harbor.
Captures Whitshasen; Spikes Guns. :
No enc suspected that the Strange
locking craft approaching was an
American warship. and Jones writes
Fin his journal that he had no trouble
landing. The sentinels on shore were
taken prisoners In Jig time. and be.
fore any one was aware OF what had
happened all the cannon In the fort.
fess mad been spiked But Jones, SUBJ
prdinates had failed TO comply with
| MS order that the place be burned, so
ne ignited vessel in the harbor with
his own hand. The attempt to Gre
the town was unsuccessful, however.
In 1873 while cruising about the
east coast OF Scotland, between the
fSolway and the Clyde, the American
commander determined to capture the
earl OF Seikirk, whose home was at
the mouth of the Dee. Jones anchored
his vessel in the Solwayt 1T noon and
with few men, IN ii Single boaf.
sought the wooded prondoniory where
Iiay the earPs estate. The earl had
Ebeen quite b friend to- Jones, father
and Jones vas provoked at not findine
him at home Thus fell through me
OF his pet projects.
Commands Fleet Of rive. shins.
In the middle Of August. 1779 Jones
was sent from the French mort 81
L'Orient with i've vessels to the eoast
Of Scotland His fiagship was the
famous Bon Homme Richard. I'm.
ccuntering some armed British YES.
sels IN the harbor OF Leith. Jonea
prepared to give battle, but 4 storm
came up and drove. him into the Nortn
sea. where for some time he allowed
ms presence to be known and felt,
He ravaged the Scottish coast with
fire and sword, SO far as shipping was
|concefned. 9Sk
Lat6lfu September while the Ameri.
can squadron lay few leagues north
|fof the mouth of the Humber. am Eng.
lish feet OF forty merchantmen. con.
yeyed by the Scraps and the scar.
borough, two ships of war, hove In
sight A chase ensued and while the
opposing vessels unanswered for an
advantage night fell. There on the
evening of September %, 1779. at I
O'clock, began one of the most desper.
ate sea fights recorded in history.
Famous Battle With Scraps.
The Bon Homme Richard and the
Scraps, Capt Pearson. came so close
at one time that their spars and rig.
gins became entangled and Jones at.
tempted to board his antagonist. AL
furious contest with pike, pistols and
cutlass followed and the Americans
were repllsed. The vessels separated
and broadside followed broadside until |
both were shattered. Once the Scraps
was on fire IN dozen places, and
then, Just as the moon rose, the Rich.
ard. too, canght fire. The hand to /
hand lighting was resumed and short
~ u became apparent that the Ameri.l
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