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John Paul Jones at the North African coast
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tommy View Drop Down
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Posts: 545 		  Quote tommy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: John Paul Jones at the North African coast
    Posted: 25-Mar-2016 at 05:05
After the American war of independence, the commercial and trading ships of USA were troubled by the Barbary pirates. Several ship had been captured, the crews were enslaved, at that time, naval hero John Paul Jones suggested that US shall create a strong fleet, then under his command, the fleet would sail to the North African coast to destroy the bases of the pirates, and rescuing those enslaved Americans , but at that time, the confederation  (federal Government had not been formed) did not have fund to do so, so the naval hero retired to Europe, later he even joined the Russian navy.Finally he was appointed as the consulate general , which would station at North Africa, but when the appointment reached Paris, he was dead.

But if the confederation or the federation  had  enough money to create a large fleet, and he was appointed as the admiral of the fleet, could he destroy and eliminate the Barbary pirates ?Could he command a large fleet properly?  Since he had not received any proper naval training at the past,  so even he had the chance to command such a fleet, would he fulfil the mission, or he would be crushed by the pirates?


 
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Centrix Vigilis View Drop Down
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Posts: 7392 		  Quote Centrix Vigilis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-Mar-2016 at 19:42
The answer.... all your caveats being provided...in all probability is yes he could have done it. It alos requires definition of 'large'
...and the time spent on station to accomplish the strat objective.

And that alone would had to have been defined. For any reasonable speculation to occur.

As to his skill? He had had enough maritime experience to be appointed a commander of a combat vessel 4 different times. Not too mention his raiding experience. Or not to forget his earlier experience as a 3rd Mate, 1st mate, and acting Captain and navigator on yet another ship.

And finally given that the American fleet during the Revolution was never very great and it's command under Esek Hopkins, remains debatable... (even with his Nassau raid success). It's more likely Jones would have gotten 'a command'...of some sort probably a squadron of three vessels. Against the pirates even if and assuming, Hopkins negative reputation still allowed overall command. Which was doubtful as his service was terminated by Congress in 1778.

Long before the foray against Barbary pirates would be executed.

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

S. T. Friedman


Pilger's law: 'If it's been officially denied, then it's probably true'

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red clay View Drop Down
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Posts: 10226 		  Quote red clay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-May-2017 at 21:29
bump
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