The Bonhomme Richard
Initially, she was a merchant ship built in France for the French East India Company in 1765 for service between France and Asia. She was placed at John Paul Jones’ disposal on 4 February 1779 by King Louis XVI of France due to a loan to the United States by French shipping magnate Jacques-Donatien Le Ray.
The Navy ship served the American Patriot cause well. Its reported having captured 16 British merchant ships in the first weeks it was run under Captain John Paul Jones. But during the fierce Battle of Flamborough Head in late September 1779, it was destroyed by the more competent British ship HMS Serapis. Despite Jones’ perseverance, he allegedly said, “Sir, I have not yet begun to fight!”, the vessel sank.
The Bonhomme Richard and its artifacts haven’t been seen since, despite occasional glimmers of hope.
