Battle of Flamborough Head, 1779
The Battle of Flamborough Head was a naval battle that took place on September 23, 1779, in the North Sea off the coast of Yorkshire pitting Jones' Bonhomme Richard against the British ship Serapis. Using its greater maneuverability and heavier guns, the Serapis raked and pounded the Bonhomme Richard. Jones countered by ramming the Serapis and having his crew bind the ships together with grappling hooks. The ships continued firing into each other as both side's marines sniped at opposing crew and officers. An American attempt to board Serapis was repulsed, as was a British attempt to take Bonhomme Richard. During the battle, Jones was famously reputed to have exclaimed "I have not yet begun to fight!" in response to Pearson's demand that he surrender his ship. The victory was the high point of Jones' career. After the war, he served in the Russian navy in the Black Sea in a war with the Turks. Jones died in Paris, still an American citizen, at the age of 45.
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