Any discussion of John Paul Jones should begin with Samuel Eliot Morison's
definitive work on the man. You might read it before making any conclusions
(you obviously have not). For a brief summary of his Revolutionary War
service.
At the outbreak of Revolution, John Paul Jones went to Philadelphia, and
obtained a lieutenant's commission in the Continental Navy, which was in
disarray and greatly in need of an experienced leader. After serving bravely in a
number of confrontations with the British Navy, the following year he became
captain of the sloop Providence. In his first adventure aboard the Providence
he destroyed the British fisheries in Nova Scotia and captured 16 British
prize ships that were used during the Revolution by the US Navy. US naval boats
were in short supply at the time.
In 1777 he took command of the sloop Ranger. Jones reputation and ability
resulted in his receiving from the French the first salute given to the new
American flag by a foreign warship; an important factor during negotiations to
get France on our side. During that spring he terrorized the coastal
population of Scotland and England by making daring raids ashore and destroying many
British vessels. This caused great concern in Parliament and started some
questioning the efficacy of the war since it brought the battle to England's
door.
Due to his reputation in Paris based on his daring exploits, Jones received
from the French government a converted French merchantman, the Duras, which
he renamed Bonhomme Richard (Good Man Richard) in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
This aided Franklins efforts in drawing France into greater support of the
US.
Jones was promoted to commodore of the U.S. fleet and placed in command of a
mixed fleet of American and French ships. Setting sail at the head of this
small squadron on Aug. 14, 1779, he captured 17 merchantmen off the British
coast and, on September 23, attacked a convoy of British merchant vessels
escorted by H.M.S. Serapis and Countess of Scarborough. Jones maneuvered
Bonhomme Richard alongside the larger British vessel and lashed the two ships
together. With the muzzles of their guns touching, the two warships fired into each
other. Although his smaller American vessel was on fire and sinking, Jones
rejected the British demand for surrender; "I have not yet begun to fight," he
replied. More than three hours after the bloody battle began, Serapis
surrendered, and Jones took command of it. All of the supplies and other booty
captured made its way to support the US war effort.
Jones was hailed as a hero in both Paris and Philadelphia and continued to
serve his country during the Revolution with bravery and military successes.
The military supplies he provided from captured British ships was invaluable
to the fight against the British, as was his continuing disruption of British
shipping of all kinds.
He was a great American freedom fighter, but not the kind that brutally and
cowardly murdered innocent women and children due to their race.
By the way, the new John Paul Jones Arena at UVA is not named for this man.
So, if your obvious dislike for him is based on that assumption, get over
it. There is no way that arena was ever going to be named for some obscure,
politically correct figure that you would apparently find in the Virginia ASOL
curriculum, like Nat Turner.
J South
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