James A. "Jimmy" Jones was the founding president of the Press Photographers Association of Boston — now the Boston Press Photographers Association.
He broke into the newspaper business back in 1904. He raised two sons that followed in his footsteps as respected members of the fourth estate. Elmer Jones of the Giobe's "Ask the Globe Column" — and Danny Sheehan, like Jimmy, a news photographer.
James A. "Jimmy" Jones died in 1969, at age 81.
Starting as an elevator operator at the old Boston Globe on Washington Street, he soon turned his hand to that of news photography. During his better than half a century of photographing the news, Jim worked for the Boston Herald, the Associated Press, the Boston Post. He closed his career where it all began — working for the Globe.
One of his news pictures, made in 1939, was on a story that involved the submarine Squalus. He was to gain international fame as a result.
The Squalus, out of Portsmouth, N. H. Navy Yard, was on "maneuvers" off Isle of Shoals. She had sunk.
The Navy rushed to the area, and through the use of its diving bell, rescued 33 members of the crew from the sunken vessel. The story had captured the hearts of the nation and the world.
Continuing their efforts the Navy managed to raise the sub up to near the surface, when suddenly the Squalus broke away, did a complete turnover and once more sunk to the depths below.
It was at the moment the Squalus' bow pointed skyward, that Jimmy Jones was to capture on film, one of the most memorable photographs in news annals. (He is pictured on this page holding that photograph.)
It has been said, "One picture is worth ten thousand words"
Of James A. "Jimmy" Jones, it must then follow, " He wrote.