Painting, <i>The Bon Homme Richard </i>and <i>HMS Serapis </i>

Buttersworth, Thomas · ca 1830

USS <i>Bonhomme Richard</i> was originally named the <i>Duc de Duras</i>, renamed after the ship was granted to John Paul Jones by the French during the American Revolution. The <i>Duc de Duras</i> was built around 1761 and measured 998 tons; it was bought by the French in 1769 and used primarily as an armed transport ship until given to John Paul Jones in 1779. Jones renamed the ship <i>Bonhomme Richard</i> (Good Man Richard) to honor Benjamin Franklin, as that was his French nickname. Duc de Duras was not in prime condition and Jones cut twelve ports on the gun-deck where he mounted six 18-pound guns. <i>Bonhomme Richard</i> carried a total of 42 guns. <i>Bonhomme Richard</i> is best known for its battle with HMS <i>Serapis</i>. <i>Serapis</i> was a British naval ship with 44 guns built in 1779 and commanded by Richard Pearson. <i>Serapis</i> was sent to protect merchant ships against piracy and on its first voyage was confronted by <i>Bonhomme Richard</i>. The battle took place on September 23, 1779 in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, England, and lasted over 3 hours. Though <i>Serapis</i> was better equipped, faster and more maneuverable, Richard Pearson surrendered <i>Serapis</i> to John Paul Jones. While Jones was able to win the battle, the <i>Bonhomme Richard</i> sank two days later, having sustained heavy damage during the battle. The painting shows three ships locked in combat, and it is possible that this painting is a time lapse scene of the battle. Men are visibly engaged in battle aboard the ships, and some crew members are hanging onto wreckage in the water. The <i>Serapis</i>'s name is visible at the stern. Artist Thomas Buttersworth was born in 1768, on the Isle of Wight. He was a British painter who had spent time as a seaman. After his return to London in 1800, he was appointed Marine Painter of the East India Company. Buttersworth died in 1842.