John Paul Jones became a hero to America during the Revolutionary War.
Considered the Father of the American Navy, he was the war's first naval commander,
leading a navy that at the time, barely existed. He became a strategic captain and
had a reputation as a hot-tempered leader.
John Paul Jones, originally named John Paul, was born on July 6th,
1747 on the estate of Arbigland, which is located in the southwest region
of Scotland. He attended school in the nearby small village, Kirkbean. He was
drawn to the sea at a young age, spending much time at Casethorn, a port on
the Solway Firth. This was where he first boarded a vessel at age thirteen.
The vessel brought him to Whitehaven where he began a seven
year seaman's apprenticeship. The Friendship brought him on his first voyage
to Barbados, as well as Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he learned
Upon his return to Whitehaven he was released from his
apprenticeship early due to the financial issues of his leader. He then became
third mate on the ship King George, which was part of the slave trade. He
didn't last long in this industry because he strongly disagreed with the
poor treatment of the slave. After quitting the slave trade, he returned home
on the John of Kirkcubright. He was forced to take command after the ship's captain
and first mate became ill with fevers that eventually took their lives.
The owners then appointed him master for the next trip to America.
It was on this ship that John Paul had been accused of whipping the ships
carpenter, which reportedly led to his death. Once John returned to
Kirkcubright he was arrested for murder, then later acquitted. John Paul
began working in the commercial business in the West Indies for awhile
until he killed a man for leading a mutiny against him. He was forced to
flee to Virginia, where he changed his name to John Jones, which led to
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