Remarkable Action; Sketch of the Hero, John Paul Jones; Receives
a Commission in the United Colonial Navy; Hoists the First
American Flag on Sea; The French Salute the “Stars and Stripes;”
France Gives Him a Large Merchantman, which he Names the Bonhomme
Richard; Sketch of Jones’ Later Life; Lafayette; Franklin;
Additional Ships Fitted out for Jones in France; Description of
the Bonhomme Richard; Sailing of the Fleet; Richard Dale; Cruises
on the Coast of Scotland; Discovery of the Serapis Convoying
About Forty Merchantmen; Description of Her; The Serapis Stands
Out to Protect Her Convoy; The Two Vessels Engage as Night Comes
On; Two of Jones’ 18 pounders Burst at the First Discharge;
Captain Pearson, of the Serapis, Inquires whether the Bonhomme
Richard has Struck; Jones Replies that He has Not yet Commenced
to Fight; The Vessels Come Afoul Again; Jones Lashes Them
Together; The Americans Drop Hand-grenades and Matches Down the
Hatches of the Serapis and Cause a Terrific Explosion; The
Serapis Finally Surrenders; Jones Transfers His Men to the
Serapis; The Bonhomme Richard Sinks; Jones Carries His Force to
the Texel; One of the Most Remarkable Sea Fights on Record. II-13