From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, Vol. I, 1964, Navy 
Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History 
Division, Washington, D.C.

BONHOMME RICHARD

Fr:
T. 998;
l. 152';
b. 40';
dph. 19';
cpl. 375;
a. 28 12-pdr. S. B., 6 18-pdr. S. B.

The first BONHOMME RICHARD, formerly DUC DE DURAS, was a frigate built 
in France for the East India Co., in 1765, for service between France 
and the Orient.  She was placed at the disposal of John Paul Jones 4 
February 1779 by the French King and renamed BONHOMME RICHARD.

On 19 June 1779 BONHOMME RICHARD sailed from L'Orient accompanied by 
ALLIANCE, PALLAS, VENGEANCE, and CERF with troop transports and merchant 
vessels under convoy to Bordeaux and to cruise against the British in 
the Bay of Biscay.  Forced to return to port for repair, the squadron 
sailed again 14 August 1779. Going northwest around the west coast of 
the British Isles into the North Sea and then down the east coast the 
squadron took 16 merchant vessels as prizes.

On 23 September 1779 they encountered the Baltic Fleet of 41 sail under 
convoy of HMS SERAPIS (44) and COUNTESS OF SCARBOROUGH (22) near 
Flamborough Head.  After 1900 BONHOMME RICHARD engaged SERAPIS and 
bitter engagement ensued during the next four hours before SERAPIS 
struck her colors.  BONHOMME RICHARD, shattered, on fire, and leaking 
badly defied all efforts to save her and sank at 1100 on 25 September 
1779.  John Paul Jones sailed the captured SERAPIS to Holland for 
repairs.