24 April 1778 North Channel Naval Duel

the approximate courses of opponents moment before first shots

about 1pm, drake moved sluggishly out across belfast lough, small boat came out her, carrying volunteer, royal navy lieutenant william dobbs, local man had gotten married. according drake s pilot brought him copy of express letter whitehaven, explaining full details of mystery ship (jones states in official report news whitehaven had arrived previous evening , known morning captives). wind , tide more favourable in afternoon, ranger moved out of lough north channel, making sure never far ahead of drake. finally, 6pm, 2 enemies within hailing distance. jones had american naval colours flying, , lieut. dobbs formal inquiry ship s identity answered absolute truth.

the north channel naval duel in respects small-scale dress-rehearsal, in reverse, jones s 1779 battle hms serapis. drake had been built merchant ship defensive capability, , bought royal navy fill gap left when many ships had sent america; 20 four-pound guns not official navy issue, armament merchant vessel. hull wrong shape rapid battle manoeuvres, , not designed resist cannon fire. ranger had been built fighting ship, , modified jones maximum efficiency: example, although there ports 20 guns, found safest install 18 six-pound guns. made total broadside weight of 54 pounds, more drake s 40 pounds total. however, dozens of irish volunteers meant if drake grapple , board ranger americans in trouble.

the fight

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.