Some More on Destroyers Named USS Jacob Jones

The USS Jacob Jones (DD-61) was sunk by a German U-boat during World War I.  It was named after War of 1812 veteran naval officer Jacob Nathaniel Jones.

It was sunk on December 6, 1917, with the loss of 66 men of a crew of 99.

This was the first ship in the U.S. Navy with the name.

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But, there was another USS Jacob Jones (DD-130), Wickes-class destroyer.  Commissioned in  1919 and it too was sunk by torpedoes from a German U-boat on February 28, 1942 during World War II.  Only 11 of her crew of 113 survived.

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Then there was a third USS Jacob Jones (DE-130) commissioned in 1943.  It was a destroyer escort.  It was not sunk by a torpedo and decommissioned in 1946.

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So, there were three vessels in the U.S. Navy named after Jacob Jones.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Jones and the Destroyer Named After Him

Today, I posted about the discovery of the shipwreck of the destroyer USS Jacob Jones this past August in my Cooter's History Thing blog.  It was discovered off the coast of England's southwest side.  It was the first U.S. Navy destroyer sunk in enemy action.

It was torpedoed by a German U-boat, the U-53, on 6 December 1917, after the United States had entered World War I.

It was named after Jacob Nicholas Jones who had quite a career in the American Navy that spanned the Quasi-War with France, The First Barbary War, the War of 1812 and the Second Barbary War.

I have written a whole lot about him.  Just click on his name in the labels below.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Jones, USN-- Part 3: A Victory Then a Loss

As the two vessels continued to close, the Wasp collided with the bowsprit of the HMS Frolic.  Jones immediately ordered his men to board the Frolic, where they overwhelmed the British crew and captured the ship.

It was all over in 45 minutes.  Out of110 sailors aboard the Frolic, 90 had been killed or seriously wounded.  The Americans suffered only five killed and five wounded.

The victory over the Frolic was complete, but just then the sails of another ship were seen, which turned out to be the HMS Poictiers, a 74-gun British ship-of-the-line, appeared on the horizon.

Under normal circumstances. Jones' ship could easily outsail the slower, more powerful Poictiers; but the rigging of the Wasp was in tatters.  After the Poictiers fired a warning shot at the smaller American vessel, Jones was forced to surrender.

Regardless of the loss of his ship, Congress presented Jones with a gold medal for his action.

The Delaware native served four more decades in the U.S. Navy.

Jones had weathered a turbulent childhood and failure in several occupations before ge found himself a home in the Navy.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Jones, USN-- Part 2: A Short, Violent Fight Between the Wasp and the Frolic

The capture by Tripoli did not stop Jones' career in the Navy.  At the beginning of the War of 1812, he now found himself in the command of the sloop USS Wasp.  In the early months of the war, American ships aggressively  sought out British ships in the Atlantic sea lanes and along the Atlantic coast.

On this cruise, before he even found the British, the Wasp encountered a violent storm which destroyed part of the ship's rigging and killed two men.  The rigging had just barely been repaired when a small convoy of British ships was spotted being escorted by the British sloop HMS Frolic.

Both being sloops, the two ships were about evenly matched for a battle that would be short and bloody.  The Wasp and Frolic were about sixty yards apart when the first broadsides were exchanged.  According to future President Theodore Roosevelt in his book "The Naval War of 1812, "The (Frolic) fired very rapidly, delivering three broadsides to the Wasp's two, both crews cheering loudly as the ships wallowed through the water.

"There was a very heavy sea running, causing the vessels to pitch and roll heavily.  The Americans fired as the engaged side of their ship was going down aiming at their opponents hull, while the British delivered their broadsides while on the crest of the seas, the shot going high."

So, Who Won?  --Brock-Perry

Jacob Jones, USN-- Part 1: The Oldest Midshipman and Capture at Tripoli

From the August 14, 2021, Delmarva ""War of 1812 hero, Jacob Jones found a home in the United States Navy" by Michael Morgan.

Master Commandant (a rank in the early U.S. Navy, now called commander) Jacob Nicholas Jones had weathered the storm.  In October 1812, the U.S. and Britain were at war.  He had guided his 18 gun sloop USS Wasp past Cape Henlopen and out into the Atlantic in search of enemy warships.

The Delaware native and resident of Lewes was born near Smyrna, Delaware in 1768.  His mother had died when he was an infant; and his father married Penelope Holt, the granddaughter of Ryves Holt of Lewes.  When he father passed away, Penelope raised the boy in Lewes, where he lived at the Ryves-Holt House at Second and Mulberry streets.

After he completed his elementary education in Lewes, Jones studied medicine and hung out his shingle as a doctor; but had few patients.  He considered a legal career, worked as a store keeper and took up farming.  But nothing seemed to satisfy him.

In 1799, ate the age of 31, Jones joined the fledgling U.S. Navy as one of the service's oldest midshipmen.  (Midshipmen were usually in their early to mid teens).

In 1803, Jacob Jones was now a lieutenant and on board the frigate USS Philadelphia, when the ship ran aground in the harbor of Tripoli in what is now Libya.  The American crew was captured and imprisoned  for twenty months.

--Brock-Perry

Naval Hero Jacob Jones

From the November 5, 2019, Cape Gazette (covering Delaware's Cape region)  "Historical Society to present Jacob Jones program Nov. 8."

Retired Navy officer, will present "Jacob Jones: His Life in Lewes During the Revolution" at the Lewes History Museum.

He was just five years old when five ships of the newly-formed Continental Navy sailed into Lewes in early 1776, but their activity stirred him to make himself a career in the Navy.  And, he became a hero in the War of 1812, receiving a gold medal from Congress for action off the Coast of North Carolina.

Jones spent his early life living at the Ryves Holt House on the corner of second and Mulberry streets in downtown Lewes. It is believed to have been built in 1665 and it is the oldest house in Lewes still on its original foundation.

Dueling Frigates-- Part 9: A Hornet-Loup Cervier Duel of Sloops?

The British had played a bit of psychological warfare in June 1813 when HMS Loup-Cervier   (French for the Canadian lynx) joined the squadron off New London.  When the war began, she had been the U.S. sloop of war Wasp and a part of Decatur's squadron at Hampton Roads in Virginia.

At the time, it was commanded by Jacob Jones, now commander of the former British frigate Macedonian.  In October 1812, the Wasp captured the HMS Frolic, but was then captured herself and placed into British service.

Perhaps, Captain Biddle of the Wasp's former sister ship Hornet (formerly Jones' lieutenant on the Wasp) was sent to the HMS Ramilles to arrange the challenge, he met Captain William Bowen Mends of the Loup Cervier.

Perhaps a ship duel was arranged between their two ships.

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 8: There Will Be No Frigate Duel

Then it was Sttephen Decatur's turn to balk:  "But sir, if the [HMS] Statira is to avail herself alone of this concession [ of adding crew], it must be obvious to you and everyone,that should I be yielding to you an advantage I could not excuse to my government; and in making the crew of the Macedonian in any degree equal to such a conflict I should be compelled to break up the crews of this ship and the Hornet, and thus render a compliance with my orders to proceed to sea utterly impracticable."

Like Hardy, he saved face for his subordinate:  "You will have the goodness, sir, to inform Capt. Stakpoole that his letter was shewn to Capt. Jones according to his request, that Capt. Jones is  is extremely desirous of  that a meeting should take place between the Statira and Macedonian, but it is controlled by me for the reasons I have stated."

Of interest, both Decatur and Stackpoole were later killed in duels.

--Brock-Perry

Cannonballs Flew Near Alewife Cove-- Part 3

The fighting carried on for much of the day and local commanders General Burbeck, Commodore Decatur and Captain Jones came to observe.

It was estimated that between the frigate Statira and the sloop of war HMS Loup Cervier, 20 broadsides were fired on the American defenders on the beach who were fully exposed to the fire, but they miraculously suffered no casualties.

The Gazette mocked that "the plowing Stackpole [Captain Hassard Stackpole of the HMS Statira] gave to Roger's land is a fair offset to the holes he has made in his barn, crib and back-house."  Evidently, the Americans had had some rather nasty run-ins with Stackpole.

--Brock-Perry

Grave of Jacob Nicholas Jones, USN

Last week in a post on the Lewes, Delaware, War of 1812 Heritage Trail, I wrote about the Ryves Holt House which at one time was the home of the famous Commodore Jacob Nicholas Jones, hero of the USS Wasp-HMS Frolic battle in the war.

He is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail-- Part 3: Lightships and Commodore Jones

**  Overfalls Lightship, given to Lewes Historical Society in 1973.  The last lightship still functioning on the east coast.  In service 1892-9161.  One of only 17 lightships still afloat and there was once 179.

**  Blockhouse Pond--  site of an American encampment during most of the War of 1812.

**  Ryves-Holt House-- believed to be the oldest house in Delaware.  Dating to 16685, was once a colonial inn.  Commodore Jacob N. Jones once lived here.  He received much acclamation for his defeat of the HMS Frolic in his ship, the USS Wasp.  (He is buried in Wilmington, Delaware's Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.)

--Brock-Perry

Delaware's Joseph Haslet, War Governor-- Part 2: State Mostly Against the War

Joseph Haslet ran for governor in 1814, but lost.  He ran again and won, serving from January 15, 1811, to January 18, 1814.  The War of 1812 took place during much of his tenure.

His state of Delaware was mostly against the war, but Haslet got the legislature to raise a 1,000 militia force and to make $25,000 to equip it.

The bright spot of the war for the Americans were the naval victories.  One of those was the capture of the British ship HMS Frolic by Captain Jacob Nicholas Jones of Delaware which gave the state much pride.  However, the arrival of British fleets in the Chesapeake and Delaware bays was cause for alarm.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Nicholas Jones, USN

From Wikipedia.

Tuesday, I wrote about the USS Revenge being commanded by Jacob Nicholas Jones when it first entered service in the U.S. Navy.  I have done a lot of research on him, but found no mention of his commanding the USS Revenge.

I also have already printed several entries about him.  Just hit the Jones label at right.

In addition, before joining the U.S. navy, he was married to the daughter of Delaware Governor James Sykes who died sometime before he entered the Navy at age 31.

He is buried at the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

--Brock-Perry

USS Revenge, Perry's Lost Ship-- Part 1: Enforcing the Embargo Act

From Wikipedia.

The ship was bought by the U.S. Navy in 1806 and ran aground 9 January 1811 and sank.

It was 70 feet long and mounted 12 X 6-pdr cannons.

The Navy bought the Baltimore-built schooner Ranger in New Orleans in December 1806.  It was renamed the Revenge and commissioned.

In 1807, it was ordered to the Atlantic Ocean and sailed under Lt. Jacob Jones.  It joined Commodore John Rodgers' New York Flotilla which assembled shortly after the USS Chesapeake-HMS Leopard Affair.  With the passage of Thomas Jefferson's Embargo Act on 22 December 1807, the flotilla established a blockade of the U.S, coast to prevent foreign commerce.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Nicholas Jones Postwar Career

From Wikipedia.

He was a commodore in the U.S. Mediterranean Squadron 1821-1823 and in the Pacific squadron 1826-1829.  During the period between these sea duties, he was a Navy Commissioner in Washington, D.C..

He held commands ashore in Baltimore and New York in the 1830s and 1840s.  His final command assignment  was at the Philadelphia Naval Asylum from 1847 to his death in 1850.  That answers my question yesterday as to what he did at the asylum.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Nicholas Jones

From Together We Served site.  List of and dates of U.S. Navy Service.

1799-1801   USS United States
1801-1803   USS Philadelphia
1801-1805   Prisoner of War, Algeria

1805-1810   U.S. Navy
1810-1812   USS Wasp
1813-1814   USS Macedonian

1815   USS Macedonian
1816-1818   USS Guerriere
1818-1821   U.S. Navy

1821-1823   Mediterranean Squadron
1823-1826   U.S. Navy Board of Commissioners
1826-1827   Pacific Squadron

1829-1847   U.S. Navy
1847-1850  U.S. Naval Asylum

Not sure about the last place he was.  Did he command it or was he in it?

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Naval Hero Jacob N. Jones Inducted Into Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame

From the November 2, 2015, Cape Gazette.com "Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame holds induction" by Steven Bishop.

This was held October 17, 2015, at Lewis Yacht Club.  Among the inductees was War of 1812 hero Captain Jacob N. Jones, a naval officer.

He was raised in Lewis during the Revolutionary War and was later a doctor in that town and Clerk of the Delaware Supreme Court.

--Brock-Perry

No Part 2 For Jacob Jones

If you're interested in reading the rest of Saturday's account on Jacob Nicholas Jones, click on the label below.

It turns out, I had written about him in connection with the USS Wasp capturing the HMS Frolic (not exactly a very warlike name if you ask me).  I was writing Saturday in connection to the destroyer named after him and sunk by a German U-boat off New Jersey during World War II.

Brock-Perry

Jacob Nicholas Jones, US Navy-- Part 1

Frpm Wikipedia.

This entry grew out of a post I did today in my World War II blog "Tattooed On Your Soul" about the destroyer USS Jacob Jones, sunk by a U-boat off Cape May in February 1942, during the Battle of the Atlantic.

I read that the ship was named for War of 1812 war hero Jacob Jones whom I had never heard of before. Turns out, I had entered his name in my labels before, probably as commander of the USS Wasp.   Interesting life as it turns out.

March 1768 to August 3, 1850.  US Naval officer during Quasi War with France, First Barbary War and War of 1812.

Born in Delaware, orphaned at age four, but went on to become a medical doctor.  Joined the Navy as a midshipman in 1799 at age 31 (when midshipmen, officers in training, were often as young as ten), reportedly over grief for his wife who had recently died.

During the Quasi War, he served on the frigate USS United States under Coomodore John Barry.  Commissioned second leiutenant in 1801 and joined the crew of the USS Philadelphia 24 May 1803.  On 31 October 1803, he was captured along with the crew of that ship and held prisoner until freed by US forces in June 1805.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

Commodore Jacob Nicholas Jones, USN

From Wikipedia.

(March 1768-August 3, 1850.  An American officer in the Quasi-War with France, the Barbary Wars and War of 1812.  Born in Kent County, Delaware.

He was definitely involved with some of the ships I wrote about last month on their 200th anniversaries.

Strangely, however, he didn't join the Navy as a midshipman until he was 31, that when some midshipmen were as young as 10.  Some think the death of his wife prompted him to do it.  During the Quasi War, he served on the USS United States under Commodore John Barry and was promoted to 2nd Lt. in 1801.

On Oct. 31, 1803, during the Barbary War, he was taken prisoner on the USS Philadelphia in the Bay of Tripoli, but freed in 1805.

In 1810, he was given command of the USS Wasp and during the War of 1812, on Oct. 18, 1812, captured the HMS Frolic and that same day he was again captured, this time by the HMS Poictiers.

He was widely acclaimed after his prisoner exchange despite losing his ship.  He then was given command of the USS Macedonian, a captured British ship before getting bottled up with the USS United States in New London, CT. in 1814.  He was then transferred to Lake Ontario and given command of the USS Mohawk during the last year of the war..

During the Second Barbary War, he again commanded the USS Macedonian and later captained the USS Guerriere, another captured British ship.  From 1821-1823, he commanded the Mediterranean Squadron, then the Pacific Squadron 1826-1829 and then was Navy Commissioner in Washington, DC. 

He commanded the Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1847 until his death.

So here was a guy captured twice and then who commanded two captured ships.

Must Have Been In His Blood.  --Brock-Perry