Father of the American Navy: John Paul Jones

It’s 1776, arguably one of the best naval officers in history just got commissioned. The American Revolution fights on, with the colonial forces battling against the tyrannical British Empire. Amidst the chaos of war, John Paul Jones, the “Father of the American Navy” was about to set sail. Jones would soon make the Atlantic bear witness to some of the most devasting blows to the British Empire. 

Born in Scotland in 1747, John Paul began his life at sea at a very young age. At 13 years old he entered the British merchant marines, and by 1773 was commanding his own ship. However, after payment disputes with his crew, a repulsed crewman attacked John Paul and he killed him in “self-defense.” To avoid trial by the British government, he fled to America. Now, being a wanted man by the British government, he changed his name from John Paul to John Paul Jones. After some time in America, he had a growing desire for revolutionary ideals, his undying spirit quickly earned him a command in the newly forged Continental Navy. Jones's exploits at sea would soon make him a thorn in the side of the British, who saw him more as a pirate than a naval officer. 

The Raid on Whitehaven

While commanding the Ranger, Jones launched a raid on Whitehaven Harbor, the very harbor where he earned his first job at 13. The plan for the raid included two rowboat crews, where one would burn the merchant ships in the harbor, while the other would raid the fort and disable their cannon. The first crew was able to quickly row to the fort, silently scale the walls, and neutralize the fort. On the other hand, the second crew failed their mission of burning the anchored ships, claiming bad weather prevented them from success.

The Battle of Flamborough Head

By the late summer of 1779, Jones arrived on the British coast where he commanded a small squadron on his flagship the Bonhomme Richard. On September 23rd, while raiding the coast using pirate-like tactics, Jones and his crew encountered a British convoy escorted by the warship HMS Serapis. What followed became one of the most famous naval battles in history. As the two ships engaged off Flamborough Head, the Bonhomme Richard and Serapis exchanged devastating cannon fire towards each other. The battle was brutal, with both vessels sustaining heavy damage. The Bonhomme Richard started to take many hits, and Jones was asked if he was ready to surrender. He famously replied, "I have not yet begun to fight!" This declaration of defiance ignited his crew’s fighting spirit. Over the next few hours, they turned the tide of the battle ultimately leading to the capture of the Serapis. With the Bonhomme Richard taking on too much water, Jones and his crew were forced to abandon ship. They took control of the Serapis, which he later would give to France as a prize ship.

The Legacy of a Naval Hero

Jones's career was marked by many ruthless actions and violent engagements. He continuously pursued British ships, rounding up or ruining them in an order of daring confrontations. He gained a reputation as the ultimate formidable force at sea. The Revolutionary War's naval battles were often overshadowed by the more important land campaigns, yet Jones's contributions were still crucial to winning the war. His actions at sea forced the British to divert men and resources to try and defeat him and his crew.

His daring raids and fierce battles up and down the British coastline provided a significant morale boost to the patriots fighting at home. It helped show them how the British weren’t untouchable, even in their own waters.

As the "Father of the American Navy," John Paul Jones remains a symbol of courage and perseverance. Being nearly outmanned and outgunned in every fight, he never backed down.