John Paul Jones.

During the American War of Independence, the Americans sent out privateers to attack English transports and merchant shipping, one of the captains John Paul Jones the son of a Scottish labourer born in Kirkcudbright Scotland in 1747, commanded the Ranger, Jones took the fight to the English coast and in April 1778 the Ranger appeared in Carrickfergus Bay, it hoisted a flag indicating it required a pilot. A boat set out from the town carrying five fishermen David Milliken, John Davison, John Burchall, David McAlpin and James Peelin, when the came alongside the Ranger they were taken prisoner. Jones questioned the men as to the garrison and guns mounted in the castle and the number of guns carried by the Drake, a British naval vessel anchored off the castle.

The Ranger moved away, intending to return and board the Drake, however strong winds and a flood tide prevented him bringing his ship alongside. He sailed away returning two days later, on the morning of the 24th, the Drake now aware of the situation sent out a boat with six men commanded by Lieutenant Jelf, they were captured by the Ranger off Black Head.

The Drake, did not have a full compliment of officers onboard, and after losing seven of their crew was grossly undermanned, added to which its commander Captain Burdon was ill. Lieutenant Dobbs, first Lieutenant of the British man-of war, having recently been married was on a visit to his family home Castle Dobbs near Carrickfergus, hearing of the situation volunteered to join the Drake.

The Drake hoisted full sail and made towards the Ranger, the Drake carried twenty four pound guns and the Ranger eighteen six pound guns as well as swivel cannons. The subsequent engagement took place in mid channel, Captain Burdon was killed early in the battle, Lieutenant Dobbs second in command was very seriously wounded later, their vessels rig was seriously damaged, the remaining crew on the Drake were young and inexperienced and struck their colour's after one and a quarter hours. The Drake lost two men dead and twenty-five wounded, the Ranger three dead and five wounded.

John Paul Jones gave the fishermen a boat and provisions and released them, he sailed for Brest with the Drake as prize. Lieutenant Dobbs was treated with the utmost kindness until he died of his wounds, there is a monument to him in Lisburn cathedral where his father Doctor Richard Dobbs was rector.

Previously the Ranger attacked the town of Whitehaven in Cumbria (England) and fought a successful engagement off Flamborough Head on the north-east coast of England. Later in Scotland he made an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap the Earl of Selkirk, intending to trade him for American prisoners of war. The Earl fortuitously for him was not at home, Jones did not accompany his men on this occasion, some of the Earls silver was taken, this was later bought back by Jones from his men and returned to the Duchess with an apology.

Read about John Paul Jones from The Story of Belfast by Mary Lowry.

Try this pertinent link.
Rangers attack on Whitehaven.
Lots of information about JP Jones on this site, according to them he once worked on a slave ship.
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