The USS Bonhomme Richard was a 42-gun frigate originally constructed as the French East Indiaman Duc de Duras in 1765 at Lorient, France. Designed for both merchant trade and potential naval support, her construction adhered to plans by shipwright Antoine Groignard, facilitating swift conversion into a warship if needed. She made two voyages to China (in 1766 and 1769) before being transferred to the French Navy following the dissolution of the French Indies Company, and subsequently sold into private service in 1771. In early 1779, King Louis XVI purchased her and she was renamed Bonhomme Richard in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Under the command of John Paul Jones, she was effectively a large merchant vessel with the firepower of roughly half a 64-gun ship of the line, reflecting her robust design and armament. Her service in the American Revolutionary War included a voyage from Lorient to Bordeaux and then into the North Sea and along the British coast, capturing 16 merchant vessels. The vessel’s most notable engagement occurred near Flamborough Head on September 23, 1779. In a fierce four-hour battle against HMS Serapis and other British ships, Jones's leadership and the ship’s resilience led to the capture of Serapis after Bonhomme Richard was heavily damaged, on fire, and leaking. Despite efforts to save her, Bonhomme Richard sank approximately 36 hours later on September 25, 1779. Her final resting place has been the focus of extensive search efforts, with the wreck presumed to be off Flamborough Head in about 180 feet of water. Various expeditions, including those by the USNS Grasp and the French Navy, have located wrecks of potential interest, with artifacts such as a deadeye block, planking, and an iron spar hoop recovered. The wreck site is protected as a historic wreck managed by Historic England, though its exact identity remains a matter of ongoing research and debate. The vessel's legacy endures as a symbol of American naval resilience and revolutionary independence.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.