Bonhomme Richard

·        American Revolutionary War frigate

·        One of the flagships of Captain John Paul Jones during the American War of Independence

·        Originally launched as the French East India merchant ship Duc de Duras in 1765

·        Given to the United States by France in 1779 and converted to a frigate

·        Carried 42 guns and a crew of 380

·        Fought a historic battle which lasted over 4 hours against the larger HMS Serapis

·        When the British captain asked Jones if he was ready to surrender, Jones replied, “No Sir! I have not yet begun to fight.”

·        The British eventually surrendered, but the Bonhomme Richard was so badly damaged that she sank

·        The winning of this battle by Jones convinced France to recognize and fully support the United States in its fight for independence against Britain

·        John Paul Jones helped lay the foundations for the American Navy. He is buried in the chapel at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland

NOTE: This model is in the private collection of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Sheeran, Midland, TX