When the American Revolution broke out, John Paul Jones became a lieutenant in the new Continental Navy. In 1779 he took command of the Bonhomme Richard.
His ship met up with two English naval ships, the Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough. What followed was one of the most famous naval engagements in U.S. history.
After three hours of maneuvering, the Bonhomme Richard rammed the Serapis, and Jones tied the two ships together. They poured deadly cannon fire into each other for two hours. When the British captain, Richard Pearson, asked if the Americans were ready to surrender, Jones roared back, "I have not yet begun to fight!" An American grenade then exploded below decks on the Serapis and it was the British who surrendered. The Bonhomme Richard was damaged beyond repair, so Jones transferred his flag to the Serapis, bringing it and the Countess of Scarborough to Holland as prizes. Jones's courage and resourcefulness in this fight brought him international recognition.
His ship met up with two English naval ships, the Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough. What followed was one of the most famous naval engagements in U.S. history.
After three hours of maneuvering, the Bonhomme Richard rammed the Serapis, and Jones tied the two ships together. They poured deadly cannon fire into each other for two hours. When the British captain, Richard Pearson, asked if the Americans were ready to surrender, Jones roared back, "I have not yet begun to fight!" An American grenade then exploded below decks on the Serapis and it was the British who surrendered. The Bonhomme Richard was damaged beyond repair, so Jones transferred his flag to the Serapis, bringing it and the Countess of Scarborough to Holland as prizes. Jones's courage and resourcefulness in this fight brought him international recognition.