Paul Jones by Sabine Baring-Gould
The narrative follows the exploits of a naval commander aboard an American frigate during the Revolutionary War. The story begins with the ship, named "Richard," setting sail from New York, equipped with forty-four guns and a determined crew. The frigate encounters two enemy vessels, one a larger ship of the same caliber, and engages in a fierce battle. The confrontation escalates quickly, with both sides exchanging cannon fire. The intensity of the battle results in significant casualties, with many sailors from both crews either dead or wounded. Amidst the chaos, the ship's carpenter reports critical damage, prompting the commander to express a grim resolve to continue fighting despite the dire situation. As the battle rages on, the enemy ship, Serapis, maneuvers to gain an advantageous position. The relentless exchange of cannon fire ultimately leads to the British colors being lowered, signaling their defeat. The victorious crew celebrates their hard-fought prize, reflecting on the loss of life and the sorrow of those left behind, particularly the mothers mourning their sons lost at sea. The work captures themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of naval warfare during this historical period.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1896 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Biography, Adventure · 430 words
First lines
C. J. S. [Music]
1. An American frigate, the "Richard" by name, Mounted guns forty four and from New York she came, To cruise in the channel of old English fame, With a noble commander, Paul Jones was his name.
What this Textopian page supports
Paul Jones is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Biography, Adventure, Poetry, War Literature
- Length: 430 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Paul Jones by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Paul Jones?
- How does this short story by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is based on the historical figure Paul Jones and his naval exploits during the American Revolutionary War.
- Biography — It chronicles the life and achievements of Paul Jones, providing insights into his character and actions.
- Adventure — The narrative includes naval battles and high-seas adventures, emphasizing action and excitement.
- Poetry — The text is presented in a lyrical format, resembling a ballad that captures the essence of storytelling through verse.
Tags
Paul Jones · American history · naval battles · frigate · sea warfare · heroism · patriotism · 18th century · poetry · military · adventure · courage