“British satellite historians claim to have discovered the true location of an iconic American revolutionary ship which defeated the Royal Navy off the Yorkshire coast.

The famous vessel, the USS Bonhomme Richard, was the first US ship to beat the Royal Navy in British waters before she sank on September 24, 1779.

The location of the wreck has long been a mystery, but now a British satellite historian from Harrogate claims to have found it.
…
US revolutionary captain John Paul Jones had sailed the 20-gun converted former French ship along the English coast pillaging merchant vessels in the North Sea.
…
He eventually won the battle after reportedly responding to his British counterpart who asked if he was surrendering with the immortal line 'I have not yet begun to fight'…”

https://dailym.ai/2PB5R0z

I am always struck by the truth in these two simple statements by two warriors whose behind the lines, balls out audacity were separated in time and allegiance...

quote:

Captain John Paul Jones, US Navy: It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win.

quote:

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling, DSO, OBE, Scots Guards: Who Dares Wins

I think they'd buy each other a pint.

Man, I bet the ship would be a bitch to get to. Every time I've heard something about archaeological exploration in those waters, the first thing they talk about is how tough conditions are there.

That ship is the US equivalent to HMS Victory, isn't it?

I believe there is an active ship in service with the USMC called the USS Bonhomme Richard?

Bonhomme Richard was named by Jones in honor of Benjamin Franklin.

that is so cool if they really found it. What a great find. Loved that video of the wreck!!

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
That ship is the US equivalent to HMS Victory, isn't it?
<snip>

Arguably, yes. From the linked article: “Mr Akers said the Bonhomme Richard was the equivalent to the HMS Victory in importance to US history.”

That's kind of a bold statement to make. HMS Victory had a long, distinguished record. The BonHomme Richard, not so much. Yes, Jones had an awesome one-liner and yes, it was the first American victory over the English at sea (and in England's back yard no less), but still....the Richard got shredded during the battle, only the arrival of US reinforcements convinced the HMS Serapis to surrender, and the Richard sank shortly thereafter.

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInWV:
That's kind of a bold statement to make. HMS Victory had a long, distinguished record. The BonHomme Richard, not so much. Yes, Jones had an awesome one-liner and yes, it was the first American victory over the English at sea (and in England's back yard no less), but still....the Richard got shredded during the battle, only the arrival of US reinforcements convinced the HMS Serapis to surrender, and the Richard sank shortly thereafter.

Proof that sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.