John Paul Jones Challenges British Navy
American’s fledgling navy struggled against the mighty British fleets during the American Revolution. John Paul Jones (1747–1792), commander of the American frigate, Bonhommne Richard, accompanied by a small squadron, challenged the British Navy in its home waters. Jones’ ship and the HMS Serapis, under British Commander Richard Pearson (1731–1806) fought an epic battle off the Yorkshire coast of England in 1779. This vue d’optique (optical view) depicts the famous naval battle, during which the out gunned and out numbered Jones answered a British demand for surrender with “I have not yet begun to fight.”
American’s fledgling navy struggled against the mighty British fleets during the American Revolution. John Paul Jones (1747–1792), commander of the American frigate, <em>Bonhommne Richard</em>, accompanied by a small squadron, challenged the British Navy in its home waters. Jones’ ship and the <em>HMS Serapis</em>, under British Commander Richard Pearson (1731–1806) fought an epic battle off the Yorkshire coast of England in 1779. This <em>vue d’optique</em> (optical view) depicts the famous naval battle, during which the out gunned and out numbered Jones answered a British demand for surrender with “I have not yet begun to fight.”