HMS Serapis (1779)

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HMS Serapis was a British frigate launched by the Royal Navy in 1779. The vessel was named after the god Serapis in Greek and Egyptian mythology. The vessel was captured by Americans during the American Revolutionary War.

HMS Serapis was designed as a 5th Rate vessel armed with 44 guns (20 18-pounders, 20 12-pounders, and 4 6-pounders). On September 23, 1779, commanded by Captain Richard Pearson, she engaged the American warship USS Bonhomme Richard which was under the command of John Paul Jones in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, England. The two vessels exchanged heavy fire and Bonhomme Richard lost most of her fire power. The battle raged on for three hours as the crew of Bonhomme Richard tenaciously fought Serapis, raking her deck with gunfire. Eventually, Bonhomme Richard rammed Serapis and boarded her deck as Bonhomme Richard began to sink. Captain Pearson eventually surrendered, handing Serapis over to the Americans.

The defeat was a major embarrassment for the British. Serapis was turned over to the French in 1782.

The famous quotation, "I have not yet begun to fight!" was Jones's response to Pearson's call for Bonhomme Richard to surrender.

[edit] External links

• Serapis Project - project to locate the Serapis.