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The Daily Monitor
Mount Clemens, Macomb County, Michigan
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History of naval hero Jacob Jones, namesake of two US destroyers sunk in WWI and WWII, detailing his capture by Barbary pirates in 1799, escape, and triumphs in the War of 1812.
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The United States Navy has lost two destroyers named Jacob Jones, but it is still a good fighting name. It is a name which brought much glory to the Navy and to officers and crews of the two destroyers. This first Jacob Jones was sunk Dec. 6, 1917, with a loss of 64. The second Jacob Jones went down off New Jersey, Feb. 28, 1942, pounded by an enemy submarine with more than 100 sailors dying for their country.
Few persons may know, however, that the Jacob Jones for whom the ships were named was quite a hero in his own right. After giving up the study of medicine for law, he left both professions in 1799 to sign on as a midshipman on a naval vessel which fought the Barbary pirates. He was their prisoner two years, but escaped to become one of the hardest-hitting commanders in the War of 1812, capturing an enemy ship and eventually squaring accounts with the pirates.
It would be fitting if another destroyer were named for this fighting man to deal out vengeance for the loss of the other Jacob Joneses and their gallant crews.
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Location
Barbary Coast, Seas, Off New Jersey
Event Date
1799, War Of 1812, Dec. 6, 1917, Feb. 28, 1942
Story Details
Jacob Jones, after studying medicine and law, became a midshipman in 1799, was captured by Barbary pirates for two years, escaped, and became a commander in the War of 1812, capturing an enemy ship and defeating the pirates. Two US Navy destroyers named after him were sunk: first on Dec. 6, 1917 with 64 lost, second on Feb. 28, 1942 off New Jersey with over 100 lost.