John Paul Jones is remembered as the first hero of the young American navy who raided the British coast during the American Revolution, capturing or sinking more than forty enemy ships. As commander of the Bonhomme Richard, his ship was heavily damaged and sinking. His surrender was sought by the British commander of the attacking ship. Jones's famous reply was "I have not yet begun to fight." He would board and capture that enemy ship, even as his Bonhomme Richard was sinking.