The FReeper Foxhole Revisits John Paul Jones - Sept. 23rd, 2005

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/traditions/html/jpjones.html ^ | Posted on 01/06/2003 5:37:15 AM PST by SAMWolf

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

The FReeper Foxhole Revisits

John Paul Jones
A founder of the U.S. Navy

John Paul was born at Arbigland, Kirkbean, Kirkcudbright, Scotland, 6 July 1747. Apprenticed to a merchant at age 13, he went to sea in the brig Friendship to learn the art of seamanship. At 21, he received his first command, the brig John.

After several successful years as a merchant skipper in the West Indies trade, John Paul emigrated to the British colonies in North America and there added "Jones" to his name. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Jones was in Virginia. He cast his lot with the rebels, and on 7 December 1775, he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Continental Navy, serving aboard Esek Hopkins' flagship Alfred.

As First Lieutenant in Alfred, he was the first to hoist the Grand Union flag on a Continental warship. On 1 November 1777, he commanded the Ranger, sailing for France. Sailing into Quiberon Bay, France, 14 February 1778, Jones and Admiral La Motte Piquet changed gun salutes — the first time that the Stars and Stripes, the flag of the new nation, was officially recognized by a foreign government.

Early in 1779, the French King gave Jones an ancient East Indiaman Duc de Duras, which Jones refitted, repaired, and renamed Bon Homme Richard as a compliment to his patron Benjamin Franklin. Commanding four other ships and two French privateers, he sailed 14 August 1779 to raid English shipping.

On 23 September 1779, his ship engaged the HMS Serapis in the North Sea off Famborough Head, England. Richard was blasted in the initial broadside the two ships exchanged, losing much of her firepower and many of her gunners. Captain Richard Pearson, commanding Serapis, called out to Jones, asking if he surrendered. Jones' reply: "I have not yet begun to fight!"



It was a bloody battle with the two ship literally locked in combat. Sharpshooting Marines and seamen in Richard's tops raked Serapis with gunfire, clearing the weather decks. Jones and his crew tenaciously fought on , even though their ship was sinking beneath them. Finally, Capt. Pearson tore down his colors and Serapis surrendered.

Bon Homme Richard sunk the next day and Jones was forced to transfer to Serapis.

After the American Revolution, Jones served as a Rear Admiral in the service of Empress Catherine of Russia, but returned to Paris in 1790. He died in Paris at the age of 45 on 18 July 1792. He was buried in St. Louis Cemetery, which belonged to the French royal family. Four years later, France's revolutionary government sold the property and the cemetery was forgotten.

In 1845, Col. John H. Sherburne began a campaign to return Jones' remains to the United States. He wrote Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft and requested the body be brought home aboard a ship of the Mediterrean Squadron. Six years later, preliminary arrangements were made, but the plans fell through when several of Jones' Scottish relatives objected. Had they not, another problem would have arisen. Jones was in an unmarked grave and no one knew exactly where that was.

American Ambassador Horace Porter began a systematic search for it in 1899. The burial place and Jones' body was discovered in April 1905. President Theodore Roosevelt sent four cruisers to bring it back to the U.S., and these ships were escorted up the Chesapeake Bay by seven battleships.

---

---

FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[snippy_about_it]

Imaginary history can become like real history on acid and you will start to believe you know THE TRUTH...

LOL. This is why I don't read alternate history. I would become too confused. ;-)

[alfa6]

That should be fun building some arty pieces.

Re #48 picture , Is that a .50 cal that the young lady is aiming?

Welcome indeed :-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>)

[Professional Engineer]

From the look of it, I'd guess it is a 50 caliber rifle. FReeper Eaker posted the picture on the hurricane thread. I believe those are his kids ready to welcome the looters.

[Eaker]

I believe those are his kids ready to welcome the looters.

Indeed those are my kids and that is a .50BMG.

The storm turned 2 degrees east after I posted that pic.

A few more pics and it will swing over and hit France. They don't shoot back!

I couldn't quit laughing as the kids kept saying, "Just one more gun!"

[Professional Engineer]

and that is a .50BMG.

Cool, I thought I recognized the muzzle brake.

[alfa6]

Hwy Eaker, Why don't ya set up that Bowling Ball Mortar :-)

That ought to keep the looters at bay

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Eaker]

Why don't ya set up that Bowling Ball Mortar

TheMom is simmering them now.

If it gets really bad we are going to have spaghetti and bowling balls!

[Professional Engineer]

A bowling ball mortar? What a cool idea!

[alfa6]

Ya got any of them pics of the bowling ball mortars.

I are at work and can't access the ones I "might" have at home.

A big thanks

Regrads

alfa6 ;>}

[Valin]

The artillery is spring loaded and will actually lob a projectile!


The nieghbors are gonna LOVE you! Just the thing to quiet down those loud parties.

[Valin]

War Toys for Boys!

by A. Neely Hall
reprinted by Lindsay Publications

Just what every boy needs! Violent toys!

http://www.lindsaybks.com/bks4/wartoy/


I love google.

[Professional Engineer]

Yep, that's the one.

I'm thinking the "machine gun" along with the tin wash-basin helmets may get a good workout.

[Valin]

What are the odds of a book like this being published today?


War Toys for Boys!
(subtitled)
Just what every boy needs! Violent toys!

The left would come down with a darn near terminal case of the vapors!



Just the thing for a counter protest!
"My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening thru a cosmic vapor of invention."
Hedley Lamarr

[Professional Engineer]

The left would come down with a darn near terminal case of the vapors!

You say that like it's a bad thing. LOL

[SunkenCiv]

· join list or digest · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post a topic · subscribe ·
	Gods Graves Glyphs	Note: this topic is from 2005. Thanks snippy_about_it. Blast from the Past. Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
·Dogpile · Archaeologica · LiveScience · Archaeology · Biblical Archaeology Society · · Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · Google · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists ·

[KYGrandma]

When visiting my future husband at the Naval Academy, his roommate told us girls that there was a window on the marble sarcophagus where you could see John Paul Jones. Couldn't find it.