"Bonhomme Richard-Serapis Engagement..." Topic

… 23 Sept. 1779.

"At 2 p.m. P.M. on this day John Paul Jones sighted British merchantmen rounding Flamborough Head on the North Sea coast of Yorkshire. When Jones ordered his ship, the Bonhomme Richard, and the others in his squadron, Alliance (36 guns), Pallas (32 guns), and Vengeance (12 guns), to give chase, the British merchantmen fled and the convoy commander, Captain Richard Pearson, positioned his ship, the Serapis (40 guns) and her escort, the Countess of Scarborough (20 guns), between the attackers and their prey. At around 6:30 P.M., the Serapis and Bonhomme Richard, both flying British colors, came within hailing distance, and Pearson demanded that Jones identify his ship. Jones responded ‘‘The Princess Royal'' but, seeing that Pearson was not fooled by his ruse, Jones ran up an American flag, and the two ships exchanged virtually simultaneous broadsides. For an hour the ships exchanged fire as each maneuvered to rake the other.

During the first or second broadside, two of Jones's eighteen-pound cannons burst, putting the rest of the guns on the Bonhomme Richard's lower deck out of commission. After the initial exchange of broadsides the Serapis moved ahead of her adversary and on the leeward side. Not being able to gain enough distance to cross in front of the Bonhomme and rake her with cannon fire, the Serapis lost headway in executing a turn and was rammed near the stern. Jones ordered his men to lash the ships together, and personally tied a loose forestay from the Serapis to the Bonhomme Richard's foremast…"

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