|
Aged 17, he began working as a third mate on
the King George of Whitehaven, a Slave
Ship.
He only completed a couple of Slave Voyages
before transferring to Cargo Ships, as he
disliked the Slave Ships.
1768 - aged 21, he became Captain of his own
Cargo Ship. He was said to be a fine dressed
gentleman that liked the ladies, with a violent
temper, accused of having a Sailor flogged so
severe, he died soon after.
On the Ships return to Kirkcudbright in
southwest Scotland, John was charged with
murder. That charge was later dropped.
He then worked on Ships in the West Indies,
building up a considerable wealth, until he
killed a Sailor with his sword over a wages
dispute.
1773 - He fled to Virginia in America.
He arrived in America at a time the American
Revolution was escalating with the famous
Boston Tea
Party taking place in 1773. This was a Tax
on Tea, with Taxes being one of the main
reasons Americans fought to break away from
British rule.
1775 - Jones was appointed as First
Lieutenant of the Ship named the Alfred, one of
only 5 ships in the American Navy at the time,
with 13 Frigates added soon after.
1777 - he sailed to France at a time the
Americans were trying to have France join their
Fight for Independence. The following year,
France recognized the United States of America
as a sovereign nation, entering the War
alongside the Americans against Britain.
1778 - Jones sailed from France to raid
Whitehaven in Cumbria, England. He then sailed
to Kirkcudbright Bay in southwest Scotland,
close to his Birthplace.
Jones planned to capture the Earl of Selkirk
who lived in a Mansion on St Mary's Isle.
He had hoped to exchange the Earl for American
Prisoners.
As the Earl was not there at the time, his
Crew took all the Silver from the Mansion
instead. Jones returned the Silver to the
Selkirk's after the War.
Jones then left Kirkcudbright and attacked
and captured the 20 gun HMS Drake, off the
coast at Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland.
These attacks made him famous in America,
but hated in Britain.
1779 - he set sail for more attacks on
Britain with seven ships, at Leith by
Edinburgh, and Flamborough Head in northeast
England.
Jones was wounded in Battle at Flamborough
Head, but managed to sail to Holland with many
Prisoners from British Ships.
1781 - Jones returned to America where he
was greeted as a hero.
1787 - He was awarded a Gold Medal and spent
the remainder of the war giving advice on
building up the US Navy, and training Naval
Officers.
1788 - Jones moved to Russia to serve as a
Rear Admiral in the Russian Navy.
He was involved in the Black Sea campaign
against the Turks, credited with destroying 15
Vessels, killing about 3000, and taking over
1600 Prisoners.
1789 - Jones left Russia after being accused
of molesting a girl. He landed at Harwich in
England, where he narrowly avoided being
murdered.
1790 - He traveled to Paris at a time his
health was failing.
1792 18th July - Jones died of nephritis,
jaundice and pneumonia, aged 45.
His body was Buried in an alcohol filled,
lead coffin, in an unmarked grave, for over a
century.
1905 - Jones Body was found after President
Teddy Roosevelt ordered a search. His Body was
located in the old abandoned Saint Louis
Cemetery in Paris. It was then taken back to
America where a huge Naval Ceremony took place,
including Battleships firing 15 gun
salutes.
1913 - Jones Body was placed in a Marble
Sarcophagus in the Chapel Crypt of Annapolis Naval
Academy, by Washington DC.
1946 - retired US Navy Admiral Jerauld
Wright set in motion the restoration of the
Cottage to serve as a Museum.
1953 - a Bronze Plaque was placed on the
Cottage marking Jones Birthplace. The Plaque
was unveiled by US Ambassador to Great Britain,
Winthrop Aldrich.
1993 - the John Paul Jones Museum was opened
by Vice Admiral Edward Clexton of the United
States Navy.
|
