[Video] John Paul Jones and the Battle of Serapis 9.23.1779

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Today in History: John Paul Jones and the Battle of Serapis
September 23, 1779

On September 23, 1779, one of the most legendary naval battles of the American Revolution took place off the coast of England. Captain John Paul Jones, commanding the aging warship Bonhomme Richard, engaged the British frigate HMS Serapis. The odds were stacked against Jones: his ship was slower, weaker, and poorly armed compared to the formidable British vessel.

The battle was brutal and chaotic. Cannon fire tore through both ships, splintering wood and sending men to their deaths. Early in the fight, the Bonhomme Richard sustained heavy damage, and at one point it seemed certain the Americans would be forced to surrender. From the British deck came a call for Jones to strike his colors and give up the fight.

Jones’ reply became immortal. He shouted back, “I have not yet begun to fight!” With those words, he rallied his men and pressed on with ferocious determination. The Americans lashed their crippled ship to the Serapis, turning the battle into a bloody, close-quarters struggle. Muskets, grenades, and boarding parties fought for control as flames spread through both ships.

After hours of relentless combat, the tide turned. American sailors managed to hurl grenades into the British gun deck, igniting explosions that crippled the Serapis. At last, the British captain, Richard Pearson, surrendered his ship. Though the Bonhomme Richard was so badly damaged it later sank, Jones had won a stunning victory.

The triumph at sea sent shockwaves through Britain and lifted American morale. John Paul Jones’ defiance and determination symbolized the spirit of the Revolution — the belief that even in the face of overwhelming odds, surrender was never an option. His words, and his victory, secured his place as the father of the American Navy.