USS Bonhomme Richard (1765) facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | Bonhomme Richard |
| Namesake | Benjamin Franklin |
| Builder | French East India Company |
| Laid down | 1765 |
| Launched | 1766 |
| Acquired | 4 February 1779 |
| In service | 4 February 1779 |
| Out of service | 25 September 1779 |
| Fate | Sunk by HMS Serapis |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 998 |
| Length | 152 ft (46 m) |
| Beam | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Draft | 19 ft (5.8 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement | 380 officers and enlisted |
| Armament |
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The Bonhomme Richard, originally named Duc de Duras, was a famous warship in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. She was first built in France as a merchant ship for the French East India Company in 1765. This ship was given to the American captain John Paul Jones by King Louis XVI of France in 1779. The Bonhomme Richard became famous for its brave battle against a British warship.
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How the Ship Got Its Name
The Bonhomme Richard started as a merchant ship called Duc de Duras. It was built in France in 1765. This ship was designed so it could be turned into a warship if needed. It sailed to China twice, in 1766 and 1769.
After these trips, the French East India Company closed down. The ship then became part of the French Navy. It sailed to the Isle de France (Mauritius) before being sold to private owners in 1771. King Louis XVI of France bought the ship in 1779. He then gave it to Captain John Paul Jones.
Jones renamed the ship Bonhomme Richard. This name honored Benjamin Franklin, an American leader in Paris. Franklin had written a popular book called Poor Richard's Almanac. In France, this book was known as Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard.
Early Journeys of the Ship
On June 19, 1779, the Bonhomme Richard left Lorient, France. It sailed with other ships like the USS Alliance and Pallas. Their job was to protect other ships going to Bordeaux. They also cruised against British ships in the Bay of Biscay.
The group of ships had to return to port for repairs. They sailed out again on August 14, 1779. They traveled around the west coast of the British Isles. Then they went into the North Sea and down the east coast. During this journey, they captured 16 British merchant ships.
The Famous Battle of Flamborough Head
On September 23, 1779, the Bonhomme Richard squadron met a large British fleet. This fleet had 41 ships and was protected by HMS Serapis. The battle happened near Flamborough Head in England.
The Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis began a fierce fight around 6:00 p.m. The battle lasted for four hours. Nearly half of the American and British sailors lost their lives. It looked like the British would win. The Serapis had more powerful guns. It fired at the Bonhomme Richard with great force.
The British captain told John Paul Jones to surrender. Jones famously replied, "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight!" Jones then managed to tie his ship to the Serapis. This stopped the British ship from moving easily. It also allowed Jones's larger crew to fight better.
Both sides tried to board the other ship, but they were pushed back. Finally, another American ship joined the fight. The British captain had to surrender around 10:30 p.m.
The Bonhomme Richard was badly damaged. It was on fire and leaking water. Despite efforts to save it, the ship sank about 36 hours later. This happened at 11:00 a.m. on September 25, 1779. John Paul Jones sailed the captured Serapis to the Dutch United Provinces for repairs.
Even though the Bonhomme Richard sank, this battle was very important. It helped convince the French King to support the American colonies. This support helped the colonies become independent from British rule.
Searching for the Lost Ship
The exact location of the Bonhomme Richard's wreck has been a mystery. Many people have tried to find it without success. It was thought to be about 180 feet (55 m) deep. The area off Flamborough Head, where the battle happened, has many other shipwrecks. Fishing boats have also been active there for a long time. This makes finding the Bonhomme Richard very hard.
In 1974, a wreck was found near Flamborough Head. By 2001, experts thought it might be the Bonhomme Richard. This wreck was protected by law in 2002. It is now managed by Historic England.
In 2011, the U.S. Navy ship USNS Grasp tried to find the wreck. This effort was filmed for a TV show. The mission was not successful. In 2012, another group found an interesting wreck. They called it "Target 131." It was in 70 meters of water. Most of the wreck is buried. But some items are visible, like an anchor. This anchor seems to match the size and style of an anchor from the Bonhomme Richard.
In 2014, the French Navy explored Target 131. Divers found parts of the ship's rigging and large pieces of wood. They also found an iron hoop that might have been around a wooden spar. No modern objects were found at the site.
More research was done in 2016. Researchers found more objects at the wreck site. These objects need more study. An expedition was planned for 2019. However, it was put off because of a disagreement. France and the U.S. could not agree on who owns the Bonhomme Richard. The goal of this mission was to prove if Target 131 is truly the Bonhomme Richard.
In 2018, some remains were found close to the coast of Filey, England. These might also be from the Bonhomme Richard. However, this location does not match what people saw in 1779. Eyewitnesses said the ship disappeared over the horizon when it sank.
