Jones's career
John Paul was born in Scotland, on 6 July 1747. At the age of thirteen he went to sea where he learnt the sailor's profession in practice. When he was 21 years old, he was already captain of a merchantman. He settled in the American state of Virginia where he added the part of 'Jones' to his name. When the War of Independence broke out, he joint the rebels. As captain of the Ranger he sailed to France in November 1778.

Jones in the North Sea
Immediately after his arrival, the French supplied Jones with additional provisions and an extra ship. Jones named this ship Bon Homme Richard. On 14 August 1799 he departed with a small fleet with the aim to attack British ships in their own territorial waters.

After nearly one month he engaged in battle with the much stronger British man-of-war H.M.S. Serapis. A bloody encounter ensued with the ships incessantly firing their guns at each other. It seemed that Jones was to taste defeat and the British captain called out to him to concede. John Paul Jones replied in his characteristic manner: " I have not yet begun to fight!" An hour later roles were reversed and the Serapis lowered her flag. The next day the Bon Homme Richard sank. Jones and his crew were forced to go aboard the captured Serapis.