Good History for Jarheads/Squids...

pmclaine

Gunny Sergeant
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Minuteman
  • Nov 6, 2011
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    Bon Homme Richard may have been located.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...ck-Bonhomme-Richard-sunk-Yorkshire-coast.html

    Shortly after 7 p.m. the Battle of Flamborough Head began. Serapis engaged Bonhomme Richard, and soon afterwards, Alliance fired, from a considerable distance, at Countess. Quickly recognizing that he could not win a battle of big guns, and with the wind dying, Jones made every effort to lock Richard and Serapis together (his famous, albeit possibly apocryphal, quotation "I have not yet begun to fight!" was uttered in reply to a demand to surrender in this phase of the battle), finally succeeding after about an hour, following which his deck guns and his Marine marksmen in the rigging began clearing the British decks. Alliance sailed past and fired a broadside, doing at least as much damage to Richard as to Serapis. Meanwhile, Countess of Scarborough had enticed Pallas downwind of the main battle, beginning a separate engagement. When Alliance approached this contest, about an hour after it had begun, the badly damaged Countess surrendered.


    "Paul Jones the Pirate", British caricature
    With Bonhomme Richard burning and sinking, it seems that her ensign was shot away; when one of the officers, apparently believing his captain to be dead, shouted a surrender, the British commander asked, seriously this time, if they had struck their colours. Jones later remembered saying something like "I am determined to make you strike", but the words allegedly heard by crew-members and reported in newspapers a few days later were more like: "I may sink, but I'll be damned if I strike". An attempt by the British to board Bonhomme Richard was thwarted, and a grenade caused the explosion of a large quantity of gunpowder on Serapis's lower gun-deck. Alliance returned to the main battle, firing two broadsides. Again, these did at least as much damage to Richard as to Serapis, but the tactic worked to the extent that, unable to move, and with Alliancekeeping well out of the line of his own great guns, Captain Pearson of Serapis accepted that prolonging the battle could achieve nothing, so he surrendered. Most of Bonhomme Richard's crew immediately transferred to other vessels, and after a day and a half of frantic repair efforts, it was decided that the ship could not be saved, so it was allowed to sink, and Jones took command of Serapis for the trip to neutral (but American-sympathizing) Holland.
     
    His tomb at The Naval Academy in Annapolis should be on every American sailor's bucket list. It's super cool.
    1280px-John_Paul_Jones_tomb_USNA_Chapel_MD1.jpg

    A good buddy of mine took an instructor billet as his last duty station and retired there. Probably every veteran has been to at least one retirement ceremony, but this one was unlike anything I've ever seen. The guy was a Chief, but his retirement ceremony was like that of an Admiral (because it was at the Academy). There was a full band, and a full honor guard. It was a far cry from the hangar or the helo hangar. There were several flag officers present. It was a hell of a show. I was floored.
     
    Very cool and I hope further recovery efforts do prove it is her. Most of the time, I don't believe it until they bring the bell to the surface, but at least these guys don't seem like the typical treasure hunters so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that this is the Bonhomme Richard.

    Serious history aboard those decks and riggings.
     
    His tomb at The Naval Academy in Annapolis should be on every American sailor's bucket list. It's super cool.
    1280px-John_Paul_Jones_tomb_USNA_Chapel_MD1.jpg

    A good buddy of mine took an instructor billet as his last duty station and retired there. Probably every veteran has been to at least one retirement ceremony, but this one was unlike anything I've ever seen. The guy was a Chief, but his retirement ceremony was like that of an Admiral (because it was at the Academy). There was a full band, and a full honor guard. It was a far cry from the hangar or the helo hangar. There were several flag officers present. It was a hell of a show. I was floored.

    Fittingly under the Chapel...….that's my Alma Mater

    PMac, thanks for the great thread
     
    All I'm sayin' is thats' a real nice box to put someone in, dammit.


    Very Napoleonesque.....Being a true creature of the Naval Service perhaps keeping him in his embalming Alcohol and lead lined coffin would have been more appropriate.

    The grand sarcophagus may not be very egalitarian but for winning that battle against the Serapis he more than deserves it.