John Paul Jones

John Paul, a Scotsman, served as the commander of various British commerce ships. He was compelled to flee to North America after killing one of his crew members in self-defense, as he claimed. Jones joined the newly formed Continental Navy as a lieutenant aboard the frigate Alfred when the Revolutionary War broke out. On December 3, 1775, aboard Alfred, he became the first person to hoist the American flag over an American warship. The sloop Providence was then entrusted to him to command. As commander of Providence in 1776, Jones was responsible for several crucial tasks, including troop transport and supply transfer. Moreover, during a six-week trip, he captured sixteen British ships. As a result, he was promoted to captain permanently.

Jones took command of the Bonhomme Richard in August 1779 and sailed across the British Isles. He captured the British cruisers Serapis and Countess of Scarborough in September. The battle that ensued was one of the most well-known naval battles in American history. After inflicting significant damage to Bonhomme Richard, Serapis captain Richard Pearson asked Jones whether he was willing to surrender. "I have not yet begun to fight!" Jones famously said. Jones compelled Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough to surrender after a three-and-a-half-hour duel. The next day, the battered Bonhomme Richard sank, and the Americans were moved to Serapis. John Paul Jones is renowned as the "Father of the American Navy" since he was the first well-known naval commander of the United States. He joined the Imperial Russian Navy after the war, although his time there was uneventful.

Lifespan: 1747 – 1792

Nationality: Scottish