Back From the Brink: Difference between revisions

The most famous Real Life example would be [[wikipedia:John Paul Jones|John Paul Jones]], and is actually the original source of the quote "I have not yet begun to fight" which has then been parodied ever since. With his ship, the ''Bonhomme Richard'' burning and sinking, and the flag (aka "the colors") shot away ("striking the colors" was a symbol of surrender); one of John Paul Jones officers, apparently believing his captain to be dead, shouted a surrender. The British commander asked if they had struck their colors. Jones replied: "I may sink, but I'll be damned if I strike!" Eventually Jones won the battle and transferred his command to the captured enemy ship as his own ship sank.

 

 

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