Bonhomme Richard

(Mark Heilenday)

Service: Launched as the Duc de Duras, a French East Indiaman built for service between France and the Orient. She was placed at the disposal of John Paul Jones on 4 Feb 1779 by Louis XVI of France. Jones renamed her Bonhomme Richard in honor of Benjamin Franklin, American representative in France and author of Poor Richard's Almanac, which was published in France as Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard. Jones sailed in her from Lorient on 19 Jun 1779 in company with the American Alliance and several French vessels including Le Cerf to cover a convoy to Bordeaux and to cruise against British ships in the Bay of Biscay. Returned to port for repairs and then sailed again 14 Aug, the squadron sailing up the Irish Sea and around Scotland to England's east coast, taking 16 merchant vessels as prizes. On 23 Sep 1779 they encountered a British convoy from the Baltic of 41 sail escorted by HMS Serapis near Flamborough Head. Bonhomme Richard and Serapis fought a bitter four-hour battle. Eventually, Jones and his men succeeded in boarding and capturing the Serapis, but the Bonhomme Richard was so shattered that she sank 36 hours later. Jones sailed his prize to the Dutch United Provinces for repairs. The Battle of Flamborough Head was a key factor in encouraging further French support of the American Revolution.