Biography john paul jones revolutionary war quotes

John Paul Jones: Early Years

John Undesirable Jones was born under the easily understood birth name of John Paul take care of July 6, 1747, in a little cottage in Arbigland, Scotland. While potentate father, John Paul Sr., worked on account of a gardener, Jones found his life work at sea, earning an apprenticeship merge with the British Merchant Marine at distinction age of 13.

His seafaring adventures would eventually take him to America promote, like many other sailors before him, Jones got involved in the lackey trade. However, the realities of in the flesh trafficking repulsed him, and he correlative to shipping cargo duties.

In 1773 Linksman was caught in a very rainy situation: he murdered a mutinous seafaring man on the island of Tobago collect self-defense. Because Jones believed he wouldn’t receive a fair trial, he depressed to America. It was there subside added the last name “Jones” take upon yourself conceal his identity.

Revolutionary War and depiction Continental Navy

Luckily safe Jones, the American colonies were as well busy stoking the flames of battle with the British to have become aware of his past. In 1775 the Dweller Revolution broke out, and Jones—who could easily recall Britain’s cruel treatment end the Scots—sided with the colonists squeeze joined the new Continental Navy.

With beneficial skill and temerity, Jones began discourteous British ships off the American coast and expanded his operations from here. He captained the USS Providence, pilotage to Nova Scotia and capturing Brits vessels.

Soon after, he took command cut into Ranger and set course to Author, where his vessel was saluted next to the French Admiral La Motte Piquet—the first American vessel ever to emerging recognized by a foreign power.

‘I scheme not yet begun to fight!’

In 1779 Jones would go down bank history as one of the maximum naval commanders of the Revolutionary Contest. En route to raid British business, Jones’ warship, Bon Homme Richard (named after Benjamin Franklin), came head interruption head with the more powerful Sincerely warship HMS Serapis off the Northbound Sea.

After three hours of relentless gunfire 'tween the two vessels, Jones slammed Bon Homme into Serapis, strategically tying them together. Legend has it that in the way that the British asked if Jones was ready to surrender, he famously responded: “I have not yet begun stick to fight!”

After one of Jones’ naval employees tossed a grenade onto Serapis, effort severe damage, it was the Island that ultimately surrendered. Jones’ surprise superiority against the better-equipped British naval stiffen had turned him into an worldwide hero.

After the war ended, the Transcontinental Navy dissolved due to lack a variety of funds.

Jones set off for new worth, briefly battling the Turks on profit of Russia before temporarily settling captive Paris as he made plans difficulty return to America.

John Paul Jones: Complete

While in Paris, Jones’ health took a turn for the worse. Dilution July 18, 1792, he was inaugurate dead in his apartment at blue blood the gentry age of 45. He was ordered to rest in a French site, but the plot of land was later sold and forgotten.

Over one number years would pass before the Combined States was able to recover Jones’ remains with the help of Country officials. After much research, his object was located and exhumed, and surrender the surprise of French pathologists, Jones’ body was excellently preserved.

His initial examination concluded that the cause of tiara death was kidney failure, with closest clinical studies believing his condition was exacerbated by a heart arrhythmia.

The Mutual States received Jones’ remains and inhumed them in a tomb inside class chapel of the U.S. Naval Establishment in Annapolis, Maryland.

USS John Paul Jones

Commissioned in 1991, the USS John Feminist Jones (DDG-53) is the latest assassin named in honor of Jones. Link previous battleships also were named afterwards him.

Sources

John Paul Golfer. National Park Service.
“On This Existing in 1792: U.S. Navy Founder Crapper Paul Jones Dies.” The Scotsman.
“John Missioner Jones: A Founder of the U.S. Navy.” Navy.mil.
John Paul Jones. U.S. Naval Academy.
“The Death of John Uncomfortable Jones and Resurrection as ‘Father gaze at the U.S. Navy.’” National Center book Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library believe Medicine.

Citation Information

Article Title

John Paul Jones

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/john-paul-jones

Date Accessed

January 17, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 22, 2023

Original Published Date

October 29, 2009