John Paul Jones
American Revolution
Who was John Paul Jones?
- John Paul Jones was a Socttish Sailor in the United States's first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolutionary War.
- He was born on July 6, 1747 in Kirkcudbrightshire, United Kingdom
- He died on July 18, 1792 in Paris, France
Background Information
- His career at sea began at age 13, and by 21 he was the captain of a ship sailing between the West Indies and British ports
- He joined the Continental Navy during the American Revolution
- Jones famously announced that he had “I have not yet begun to fight” (his famous quote) during a clash with the British warship Serapis
John Paul Jones During American Revolutionary War
- Jones was an American Naval Officer in the USS Alfred in 1776, which was a 6-vessel that attacked the English merchant vessel in New Province
- Raised the First flag over a U.S. Naval vessel aboard the Alfred
- In 1776 he proposed a mission to plan to destroy the British coal fleet
- In June of 1777 he was given a command by the USS ranger to help Benjamin Franklin with strategic recommendations
Why was he a Hero?
- He raided numerous ships and even attacked in British waters
- He also defeated the greatest Navy of all time, which gave the American Patriots hope of defeating the British
How did he Die
- He dies in an apartment in Paris, where he was still awaiting a commission as the United States consul to Algiers
- Jones died of kidney inflammation