Mel Crawford: John Paul Jones

Artist: Mel Crawford
1925 -
Nationality: Canadian
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 12 by 14 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17.5 inches
Medium: Oil on Cold Press Illustration Board

Early in 1779, John Paul Jones acquired an old merchantman Duc de Duras. In honor of patriot Benjamin Franklin and his best selling book, Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard, Jones rechristened his ship the Bonhomme Richard. Although this ship was poorly armed and a poor sailing tub, Jones was determined to take the fight to the enemy. At dusk on September 23, his chance came when he sighted the British frigate Serapis escorting a convoy. The battle began under the bright light of a harvest moon. British Captain Richard Pearson easily maneuvered his Serapis around the clumsy Bonhomme Richard, his broadsides inflicting terrible punishment to the American craft. Soon, the British officer hailed Jones to surrender. No American will ever forget Jones' immortal reply, "I have not yet begun to fight." Finally, when it appeared that all was lost, Jones drove his battered vessel alongside the Serapis and lashed the two ships together. Hull to hull, the fight raged on. Another ship from Jones' flotilla sailed past, delivering two full broadsides to the Bonhomme Richard. Suddenly, the tide turned, when from high on the riggings an American sailor tossed a grenade into a pile of powder cartridges on the Serapis' gundeck. Wracked by explosion and fire, the British frigate struck its colors. For his patriotic and heroic leadership in this historic battle, John Paul Jones became a legend throughout America, the one man hailed everywhere as the Father of the United States Navy's fighting tradition.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the U.S. 15¢ John Paul Jones stamp issued September 23, 1979.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

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