Evening journal., 1922-10-30
MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1922

AMENDS TO COMMODORE JACOB JONES MEMOIR
rg1HRoUGH inadvertance. reference to commodor
/ Jacob Jones one of Delaware's most distinguish
naval heroes was omitted from The Evening Journal
Navy Day editorial It is with pleasure that max
amends for that omission.
students Of Delaware history will recall that on 90
tober 49, 1872 the sloop-ofwar Wasp sailed from tn
Delaware for a West Indian waters. Her com
plement Of men consisted about 1876. She rpounte
sixteen thirty-two- pound carronades and two lon
tweives. addition, she usually CARRIED two small
brass cannon in her tops.
Captain Jacob Jones was her commander. He was
brave officer and a native OF Delaware, his birthplace
being near Smyrna He had been graduated in medt
cine. the profession and became clerl
OF the Supreme Court. He entered the navy mid
shpman April 10. 1899. and promoted to lieu
tenancy on February 20. 1901. In 1903 he Of
fcer OF the frgats Philadelphia when she cap
tured the harbor Tripo and for eighteen months
was a prisoner.
When the Wasp was of the West Indies on october
IS a fleet OF British armed merchantmen conveyed by
the British sloop-of-war Frolio sighted. The Erolc
mounted sixteen thrtywo pound oarronades two long
six-pounders and two tweve-pound carronades her
foreeastle She had of los and was com
manded by Captain whngates.
Within a short time the Wasp and the Frolc were
within range ana Of the hercest fights OF the
War OF 1912 in progress. The maln-topmast OF
the Wasp shot away five minutes after the action
began It the main-topsa yard fell across the lar
board and foretopsa braces and lodged there.
sequence, the head-yards OF the American soop were
unmanageable during the remainder OF the conflict
Not long thereafter. her ga and man-opgaliant mas
away. They fell With crash to the deck In
fact at the end Of twenty minutes from the opening
the engagement, every brace mast OF the wasp's
rigging disabled. Her forlorn condition aid not
however. dismay her intrepid Delaware commander.
tie that the Frolic damaged seriously in the
hun. Slowly the two sloops approached each other
until finally the bends the Wasp were against the
bows of the Frolic Then the bowsprit Of the Froc
passed in the quarterback of the Wasp forced
her around and enabled her send terrific broadsde
into the Britisher. The havoc was dreadful The
Americans, led by Lieutenants Bldde and Rodgers.
boarded the Froc, but there opposition to their
advance. The last broadside had killed or wounded
Of the Britons and taken the fight out OF the few
who survived
The English officers threw their swords to the deck
sign of surrender Lieutenant Bidde struck the
colors Of the Frolic with his hand, none of the
enemy being able TO do All OF her officers were
wounded and most OF her were wounded severely
or killed. Her total loss in killed and wounded was
placed ninety. OF the wasps company five were
killed and a like number wounded.
Captain directed Lieutenant Biddle TO take the
Froc to Charleston. Just then British ship-of-
war Poctiers, mounting seventy guns and commanded
by Captain John Poo Beresford. hove in sight She
captured the Wasp and the FroIc They were taken
to Bermuda, where the American prisoners were ex-
changed and sent home.
The victory Of the Wasp and the Frolic occasoned
much rejoicing in the United States" historian says
THE press teemed with laudations of Captain Jones
and his gallant companions and stirring song com
memorative of the event upon the lips of
singers at public gatherings bar-rooms workshops
and even by ragged urchine"
Upon his return the United States Captain Jones
was received with demonstrations of gratitude and ad
miraton According to custom, a court of inquiry was
held on his conduct in giving up the Wasp and her
prize The found That the conduct OF the Off
GERS and crew of the Wasp eminently distinguished
by hrmness and gallantry in making every preparation
and exertion of which their situation would admit"
Captain Jones was feted in the cities The Delaware
legislature voted him thanks expressed pride that
hs native OF Delaware also presented TO him
handsome sword and piece of silver plate New
Yorks Common Council voted him a sword and the
freedom Of the city. On motion OF James A Bayapd
OF the United States appropriated s25
compensation TO Captain Jones his companions
FOR loss Of prize due TO the recapture OF the
Frolc. Congress also voted gold medal to Captain
Jones and silver medal to each of his officers Con-
gress felt. however that what It had done was not
enough. 1t put Jones in frigate Mace
DOMAIN, recently captured from the British and added
to the American navy That ship became part of De-
squadron. At the close the war Commodore
Jones commanded the Mediterranean and the Pacific
squadrons For several years he was member of the
Navy Board and governor of the Naval Asylum in
Philadelphia It in that city on August g. 1850
hat this distinguished Delawarean died leaving rec
ord for service that commanded the respect .nd ad-
sliraton of all who knew It