Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 48739: Captain Jacob Jones, USN.  Portrait by Albert Rosenthal, after Rembrandt Peale

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Commodore Jacob Jones, USN, (1768-1850)

Jacob Jones was born in Delaware in March 1768. Initially educated in the field of medicine, he was employed as clerk of the Delaware Supreme Court before joining the Navy in 1799 as a Midshipman. During the Quasi-War with France, he served under Commodore John Barry in the frigate United States and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1801. Jones was an officer of the frigate Philadelphia when that ship was taken by the Tripolitans in 1803. Held captive for nearly two years, he again had seagoing service after his release and, with the rank of Master Commandant, took command of the sloop of war Wasp in 1810.

In October 1812, during the early months of the War of 1812, Jones took Wasp on an Atlantic cruise. Despite storm damage to his ship, he attacked a British convoy on 18 October and, following an intense battle, captured the Royal Navy sloop of war Frolic. Both combatants were seriously damaged and soon fell victim to the powerful ship of the line Poictiers, but Jones' achievement was widely admired. Returning to the United States after an exchange of prisoners, he received a gold medal from the Congress, was promoted to the rank of Captain and given command of the frigate Macedonian. With his ship blockaded at New York, Captain Jones was sent to the Lake Ontario theatre, where he commanded the frigate Mohawk during the last year of the war.

During the final Barbary War, in 1815, Jacob Jones again commanded Macedonian. Service as Captain of the frigate Guerriere followed in 1816-1818. He was Commodore of the United States' squadrons in the Mediterranean in 1821-1823 and in the Pacific in 1826-1829. Jones was a Navy Commissioner in Washington, D.C., between those tours at sea and held important commands ashore at Baltimore and New York during the 1830s and 1840s. He received final assignment, as commandant of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia in 1847. Commodore Jacob Jones held that position at the time of his death on 3 August 1850.

The U.S. Navy has named two destroyers and an escort ship in honor of Jacob Jones, including: USS Jacob Jones (Destroyer # 61), 1916-1917; USS Jacob Jones (Destroyer # 130, later DD-130), 1919-1942; and USS Jacob Jones (DE-130), 1943-1973.

This page features all the views we have related to Commodore Jacob Jones, USN.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 48739

Captain Jacob Jones, USN


Crayon portrait by Albert Rosenthal, 1918, after a painting by Rembrandt Peale.
The artist presented this portrait to USS Jacob Jones (Destroyer # 130).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 149KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 63713

Captain Jacob Jones, USN


Engraving by D. Edwin, after the portrait by Rembrandt Peale.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 140KB; 480 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 48741

Commodore Jacob Jones, USN


Uncompleted and uncolored oil portrait by Thomas Sully.
The original painting hung in the Superintendent's Quarters at the U.S. Naval Academy.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 119KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 43040

"The Capture of H.B.M. Sloop of War Frolic, Capn. Whinyates, the U.S. Sloop of War Wasp, Capn. Jab. Jones, on the 18th of Octr. 1812"

"after a close Action of 43 Minutes. Soon after the Frolic Surrendered both her Masts went by the Board. She had 6 Merchant's Ships under her Convoy."

Aquatint in colors, "Drawn & Engraved by F. Kearny, from a Sketch by Lieut. Claxton, of the Wasp." Published by C.P. Fessenden, No. 7 N. Seventh St., Philadelphia.
The print also lists the two warships' armament and casualties.

Print from the Beverley R. Robinson Collection. Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, Maryland.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 121KB; 740 x 565 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 48740

Jacob Jones Medal


Engraving by Spencer, depicting both sides of the gold medal awarded by the U.S. Congress to Captain Jacob Jones, USN, in honor of his victory in the 18 October 1812 action between USS Wasp and HMS Frolic.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 101KB; 380 x 765 pixels

 


In addition to the pictures seen above, an important portrait of Jacob Jones is owned by the New-York Historical Society. Information on this painting follows:

Portrait of Captain Jacob Jones, by Rembrandt Peale. It depicts Jones in a pose essentially identical to that seen in Photo # NH 63713. This painting was purchased from the Peale Gallery, Philadelphia, in 1854 by Thomas J. Bryan. He donated it to the New-York Historical Society in 1867.

For additional information on this item, the availability of reproductions and usage rights, contact the New-York Historical Society.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 18 September 2002