Eastern Connecticut news., 1947-06-28

The OHAhE was the HISt mau-O1" war to surrender to a Continen- tai Navy skip flying the Stars and Stripes. The RANGER returned to BreSt with her prizes and Jones became a hero to the French as well as the Americans.
 Because of personnel and mater ial shortages, the RANGER was sent back to the colonies, and Jones remained in France on the prom ise from the French that they would supply him with the ships to continue hLS daring raids on the English coasts. After a long series of delays and broken prom iSes, merchantH2an, the BON HOMME RICHARD, was given to him and he began combing France for the necessary msp and sup plies to put her and the six other members of tbe squadron to sec. He somehow managed to firc them. and the squadron of seven ships sailed from France. August IA, 1779, in search of Brit1sk Merch- ant shipping.
 By the time he had sailed around the British Isles, circling Ireland to the west, and around Scotland to the north, all but two of his ships had deserted him and the expected fleet of merchantmen had not been encountered. He was to rendezvous with these two ships off Flamborough Head, a promon- tory on the east coast of England near the Scotch border. He arr rived there on September g, 1779, and there before him was fleet of some forty-odd British merch- antmen, escorted by the" superior British Frigate SERAPIS. Jones headed straight for the warship and engaged her as soon as pos Sible.
 The battle, which began at sun- set and lasted for four hours, was not only the most brilliant sea fight of the war, but one of the most remarkable single ship ac- tions in history.
 The superior guns of the Brit isher began taking their toll al- most immediately and it was all Jones could do to bring the bat tered BON HOMME RICHARD alongside of the frigate, where a rather one-sided slugging match began. Finally with the RICH ARDS hold filled with four to five feet of water and in a sink ing condition; with all her guns out of action except three nine pounderS; with half her crew killed or wounded; with rudder and rigging shot away, and fires fast approaching the magazines the Captain of the SERAPIS hailed Jones asking him if he surrendered, Captain Pearson had his reply over the roar of battle as Jones and his men suddenly boarded the SERAPIS shouting his challeng- ing answer: T have not yet be- gun to fight" Jones captured and took command of the SERAPIS. He had to, for despite the use of pumps and every effort to save her, the BON HONIME RICHARD sank the following day from the beating she had taken.
 With the end of the Revolution came the end of our first Navy. Jones and the other officers and valiant crews of the Continental Navy were honorably discharged and their ships broken up or sold outright. The freedom was won and there would be no further need for Navy.
 Jones was given vote of thanks by the Congress and authorized to receive the first medal ever awarded to an American Naval officer by Congress. He was the only officer of the Continental Navy to be SO honored. His role as good will ambassador to France and his victories at sea over the British played part in securing the French decision to send troops and ships to assist the colonies and helped win the final victory at