What do we know about the other Bonhomme Richard(s)?
1st one associated with ‘Father of the American Navy; John Paul Jones “ I have not yet begun to fight!”’
2nd one tied to No Names father & Mother?
The Frigate BonHomme Richard
In 1765, a 900-ton merchant vessel, DUC DE DURAS, was built in France for the East India Company. The ship was used for trading between France and the Orient. Ten years later, the ship would play a historic role in America's fight for independence.
As the Revolutionary War raged on in the Colonies, the newly founded Continental Congress began gathering a small navy. By cutting down the English war efforts in North America this became immediate success. Those successes prompted the Continental Congress to send Benjamin Franklin, as an Ambassador in 1777, to advise the French Court and garner more European support efforts for the American war. In 1779, the King of France donated to the American cause the DUC DE DURAS,
On February 4, 1779, the Continental Congress placed this fleet under the command of the Captain John Paul Jones. Swiftly, Jones refitted the DUC DE DURAS increasing her firepower to 20 guns a side, and renamed her BONHOMME RICHARD; in honor of both America and France.
Captain John Paul Jones chose the Pen Name of Benjamin Franklin, the Ambassador to France, and author of
“Poor Richard's Almanac." This early 18th century journal urged men to seek out roles in the public sphere and shape their own destinies. Clearly, his journal helped forge the will that resulted in the American Revolution.
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To offset the SERAPIS' speed, Jones lashed his flagship alongside and continued the fight long after his subordinates regarded the situation as hopeless.
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In the final hour, BONHOMME RICHARD'S mast was hit above the top-sail. Along with her Colors, a large section of the mast came crashing to the deck near Jones’s feet. In response to the downfallen colors, SERAPIS called out, "Have you struck your Colors?"
Resoundingly, John Paul Jones exclaimed, "Struck Sir? I have not yet begun to fight!"
With newfound will, his crew delivered decisive blows from all sides and aloft. Jones' sent 40 Marines and Sailors into the rigging with grenades and muskets.
Decimated, SERAPIS could not avoid defeat and at 2230 she struck her Colors. Victorious, John Paul Jones commandeered SERAPIS and sailed her to Holland for repairs. Sadly, on September 24, 1779 at 1100, BONHOMME RICHARD sank never to rise from her watery grave.
This epic battle was the American Navy's first-ever defeat of an English ship in English waters! Rallying colonial hope for freedom, Jones' victory established him to many as
“The Father of the American Navy."
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https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lhd6/Pages/history.aspx