Third panel from the left when facing the boards.

A rectangular information panel mounted on the handrail displays the painting Attack on Whitehaven by Charles Waterhouse, accompanied by a portrait of John Paul Jones. The board presents a narrative describing Joness 1778 raid on Whitehaven, during which he and his crew from the USS Ranger came ashore to disable the harbors guns and set fire to the anchored vessels.

John Paul Jones audacious attack on Whitehaven still resonates today.

Attack and Defence

Whitehaven Harbour has seen all kinds of action, the John Paul Jones attack on the harbour being one of the most dramatic - or at least it could have been had not his fellow sailors gone to the pub and stayed there!

John Paul Jones plan to set fire to and sink the 200-400 wooden ships anchored in the Harbour was never a good one. On his return to Whitehaven aboard the Ranger in 1778, the apprentice sailor spiked the towns defensive guns to prevent them from firing upon his ship.

When Jones' men struggled to light fire from their lanterns he sent them to the public house for fuel. Distracted by the alcohol, they returned in daylight hours later. The townsfolk spotted the gang and in large numbers, chased them back to their ship forcing their retreat! So ended the attack on Whitehaven of 1778. In truth, despite being audacious, having the advantage of surprise, and Jones' inside knowledge, the attack had been a bungled failure.

This seems to have been due largely to the American crew's reluctance to ''destroy poor peoples property'' as Wallingford had put it. In response, the defences of not only Whitehaven, but also the entire British coast were improved and more volunteers joined the militias.

You can find out much more about the history of Whitehaven at the Beacon Museum and the Rum Story.