Jones, John Paul (1747-1792)

Name:

Jones, John Paul (1747-1792)

Title:

Chevalier
Order of Military Merit
Congressional Gold Medal
Order of St. Anne
Legion d'honneur

Other Names:

Jones, Paul
Paul, John
"Father of the American Navy"

Born:

07/06/1747

Birthplace:

Kirkcudbright, Scotland

Died:

07/18/1792

Death Location:

Paris, France

Residence:

Scotland
United States
Paris, France
St. Petersburg, Russia

Nationality:

Scots/American

Occupation:

Sailor

Relations:

Close friend of Benjamin Franklin

Notes:

Born John Paul in Scotland, apprenticed to British Merchant Marine, age 13.
Began career abord merchant vessel "Friendship".
Third Mate aboard "King George", 1764.
First Mate aboard slaver "Two Friends", 1766.
Abandoned his position aboard "Two Friends" after becoming disgusted with the creulty of the slave trade.
Shipped out on brig "John" in 1768, safely navigated her back to port when the captain and ranking mate died of yellow fever. Appointed captain by greatfull owner.
Lost command after flogging of a sailor preceded the man's death. Unknown if flogging directly related.
Soon after commanded "Betsy", but relocated to Virginia after killing a sailor in a dispute over wages, because he was not to be tried in an admiralty court.
Added Jones to his name to escape his bad reputation.
Volunteered his services to the Continental Navy, recommended by Richard Henry Lee.
First commissioned 1st Lieutenant in the Navy 12/22/1775.
First Assignment aboard the Frigate USS Alfred. (02-04/1776)
Commanded sloop-of-war USS Providence.
Took command of USS Alfred to raid Nova Scotia, 11/01/1776.
Feuding with Commodore Hopkins, CINC US Fleet.
Assigned command of frigate USS Ranger June 14, 1777.
Sailed for France, November, 1777.
02/14/1778, Ranger became first American warship to be saluted by a foreign power (French).
Raided ports in Ireland and Scotland, and captured HMS Drake after 1 hour gun battle in April.
Took command of Bonhomme Richard in 1779.
Led a squadron to divert Royal Navy attention from French and Spanish invasion fleet in August, 1779.
Engaged convoy escorts HMS Serapis and Countess of Scarborough on 09/23/1779. The Battle of Flamborough Head resulted in the capture of both Britishers and the loss of the Richard.
Recieved the title Chevalier from King Louis XVI, 1780.
Called a pirate in Britain.
Served Catherine the Great as a Rear Admiral against the Turks in 1788.
Lived in Paris from May 1790.
Appointed US Consul to the Bey of Algiers, June, 1792.
Found dead in his room, 07/18/1792. Buried in Parisian cemetery.
Remains excavated in 1905, and returned to US aboard USS Brooklyn with Naval escort of cruisers and battleships.
Interred in US Naval Academy Chapel, 01/26/1913.