The War at Sea: Britain had been using its powerful navy to patrol the American waterways. This prevented the ships of Patriots and the ships of their allies from entering or leaving the American harbours, which meant no supplies or reinforcements from reaching the Continental Army. The Second Continental Congress ordered the construction of thirteen American warships. Only two of these however actually set sail. The Americans destroyed four of their own ships to keep them out of British hands. Others were quickly captured by the British. Several states maintained their own small fleets, but as a whole the American navy was too weak to operate. American Privateers captured more British ships at sea than the American navy did. The privateers were privately owned merchant ships equipped with weapons. The Congress authourised about 2,000 ships to sail as privateers and attack enemies. Finding crews for these ships was not difficult. Sailors from the whaling and fishing ports of New England signed on early for the profitable trade, because they got to keep the goods.
John Paul Jones: John Paul Jones was a Scottish Sailor. His ship was the Bonhomme Richard. The Serapis were a British naval army. The Serapis' had the HMS Serapis. The HMS Serapis was a 50 gun ship, so the Americans were at a disadvantage. The Bonhomme Richard was barely sea-worthy. John Paul Jones attempted hand to hand combat and failed, causing the ships to become entangled. After several attempts the Serapis surrendered. John Paul Jones' most famous quote was, "I have not yet begun to fight." (1779)
John Paul Jones: John Paul Jones was a Scottish Sailor. His ship was the Bonhomme Richard. The Serapis were a British naval army. The Serapis' had the HMS Serapis. The HMS Serapis was a 50 gun ship, so the Americans were at a disadvantage. The Bonhomme Richard was barely sea-worthy. John Paul Jones attempted hand to hand combat and failed, causing the ships to become entangled. After several attempts the Serapis surrendered. John Paul Jones' most famous quote was, "I have not yet begun to fight." (1779)