WC vs History: Either Way They Aren't Surrendering... Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Update ID

As John Paul Jones said, I have not yet begun to dogfight!
In the first episode of Wing Commander Academy, "Red and Blue", Maniac misquotes the first hero of the American Navy, but carries on the spirit of John Paul Jones' famous moment.

On 23 September 1779, the converted merchant Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, engaged HMS Serapis, commanded by Captain Richard Pearson off Flamborough Head, England. Bonhomme Richard was a 42-gun rebuilt merchant ship. Serapis was a 50-gun frigate on convoy escort duty.

Just after 7 p.m. the two ships exchanged fire and opened the Battle of Flamborough Head. During the first half an hour of combat the Bonhomme Richard ran into the stern of the Serapis. Captain Pearson is reported to have yelled the query, "Has your ship struck?". John Paul Jones' reply was simple and direct, "I have not yet begun to fight!"

For several hours the two ships exchanged fire. Jones' goal was to ram his ship into the Serapis and commence a close action. When Jones finally accomplished his goal around 9:30 p.m. The Bonhomme Richard had been holed repeatedly below the waterline. After an hour of combat, Captain Pearson personally struck his ship's colors and called for quarter. John Paul Jones had won the engagement and captured the Serapis, but the Bonhomme Richard could not be salvaged and sank the next day at 11 a.m.


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