“These I will appropriate as mine own portion,” cried Captain Jones. “And also a share of the wines, for I must have something to drink the health of mine enemy in.” And—so saying—he chuckled gleefully. It had been a rich haul.
But the Captain was not happy. His pet project was to cruise in European waters, and he wanted to get near the British coast with a ship—or better—a squadron of some force.
“Cruises along the American coast,” said he, “will annoy the enemy and result in capture of small ships and consorts from time to time. But who—forsooth—will hear of this in Europe? We will add nothing to our prestige as a new nation if we win victories upon this side of the ocean.”
All who heard him were much impressed by the vehement earnestness of his arguments.
“You have had so much success, Mr. Jones,” said they, “that we feel you will have still greater good fortune in future years.”
And Jones said to himself: “Oh, if I only could get the chance!”
It soon came, for on June the 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the following resolution:
“Resolved: That Captain John Paul Jones be appointed to command the ship Ranger” (a brand-new sloop-of-war which had just been launched at Portsmouth, N. H.).
This boat was designed to carry a battery of twenty long six-pounders and was planned expressly for speed. She was one hundred and sixteen feet long, twenty-eight feet in breadth, and her bottom was covered with copper: the first American ship to be thus protected. Captain Jones put fourteen long nine-pounders in her and only four six-pounders, but even then she was top-heavy.
In spite of the fact that it was not quite safe to carry full sail, if clearing to windward, close-hauled in squally weather; when running free—before the wind—she could course through the water like a jack-rabbit. In outward appearance she was a perfect beauty, and, as she was rather low in the water for her length, and her masts raked two or three degrees more than any other ship of the day, she was—on the whole—the sauciest craft afloat. Jones was delighted.