The fight North Channel Naval Duel

the life of john paul jones – written original letters , manuscripts in possession of relatives, , collection prepared john henry sherburne – chevalier jones (14777463374)

the formalities completed, ranger turned sharply , fired broadside @ following drake. british unable reply immediately; when did, found had serious problem. full charges of powder, four-pounders unstable, , tended tip forward; in case of 2 pairs of guns @ rear of ship, subject rise , fall waves, meant skid anywhere fired, presenting grave danger gun crews. in navy records, drake s armament had been listed 16 guns, suggesting rearmost guns had been left aboard show. ship s gunner may have known of these problems, , perhaps gunner s mate too, neither aboard drake anymore (the mate having been captured in reconnaissance mission, , gunner being ill @ portsmouth).

after few more broadsides, further problems emerged. shrapnel ranger s third broadside hit lieut. dobbs in head, putting him out of action. conditions on drake s gun deck unpredictable powder monkeys —the boys brought charges of gunpowder great guns, in fire-resistant boxes—eventually became reluctant duty. twice ship s master had go below urge acting gunner more efficient in supplying powder, when opportunities broadsides missed. problem slow matches used fire guns kept falling fire-safety tubs , going out. four-pound guns not penetrate ranger s toughened hull anyway, drake tried copying technique americans had been using start: aimed @ masts, sails , rigging, in order slow opponent down.

the combatants close together, never close enough grappling, because captain jones knew of men hidden below decks on drake. great guns, both sides firing small arms @ each other, , here, too, drake @ disadvantage. ship s magazine lacked cartridge paper; , when musketeers ran out of cartridges, had laboriously load guns pouring in right amount of powder, putting in shot. musket balls passed round in armourer s hat, , 2 powder horns shared between men on duty. other side better organised, such inefficiency meant difference between life , death. drake killed 1 of jones s crew, lieutenant samuel wallingford, musket fire; two—who firing positions in mast tops—died by-product of broadside. 5 of drake s crew killed, including, under hour fight, captain burdon himself, struck in head musket ball. both captain , lieutenant out of action, command of drake passed master, john walsh.

by time, drake s sails , rigging had been reduced tatters ranger s broadsides, , masts , yardarms damaged; in light wind, sloop more or less immobilised, not able turn aim broadside. unable load fast enough, small-arms fighters had retreated cover, dozen people left on drake s main deck. few minutes after captain died, 2 remaining petty officers on deck went master , advised him should strike colours , surrender; after further consultation, agreed. colours had been shot away, mr. walsh had shout , wave hat instead. according john paul jones s records, duel lasted 1 hour , 5 minutes.