Posted on 07/18/2014 6:27:02 AM PDT by Master Zinja
July 18, 1792 is the date of John Paul Jones' death in France, following his service to the United States during the Revolutionary War (along with brief service to Russia afterward). During the Revolutionary War, he commanded Ranger in the defeat of HMS Drake, then later commanded Bonhomme Richard in the battle with HMS Serapis. Although Jones captured Serapis, the Richard sank following the battle, and Jones sailed the Serapis to Holland. To help Jones avoid charges of piracy, the "Serapis Flag" was entered into Dutch records as the flag he flew when he captured the ship, and it became known later as the "John Paul Jones Flag". Buried in France following his death, his remains were exhumed in 1905 and moved to the United States in 1906, finally interred at the United States Naval Academy.
Why would capturing the HMS Serapis be considered an act of piracy? We were legitimately at war with the British; I’d think it would “spoils of war”.
“I Have Not Yet Begun To Fight”
Well, you better get going. We’re running out of time.
Hadn’t won independence as a nation yet - though we had announced our independence and been recognized by France. If we had lost then he would have been considered a traitor pirate by the government in place.
Thanks! Makes sense. I didn’t think of it that way.
Amazing isn’t it... even in the midst of a shooting war, people play “by the rules”...
This topic was posted , thanks Master Zinja.
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