Bonhomme Richard’s tourism boost for Filey
“Every young student in the US is taught about the deeds of John Paul Jones”
warship and was destroyed in a sea battle with the Navy frigate Serapis as Bonhomme’s commander John Paul Jones tried to disrupt British supplies during the war of independence.
A meeting at the White Lodge Hotel, Filey, heard that the discovery could bring a tourism bonanza for Filey.
“We would like to exploit it for the benefit of Filey,” said Bruce Blackburn, chief executive of Harrogate-based Merlin Burrows, an international company that undertakes maritime investigations.
James Hodgson, of the White Lodge Hotel, said: “This is very exciting for Filey, and my wife Kim, who is American, says that every young student in the US is taught about the deeds of John Paul Jones.
“It is amazing that his historic words, ‘Surrender? I have not yet begun to fight’ were uttered out there in Filey Bay.”
The meeting revealed more detail from 22 dives to the wreck and enhanced with the aid of satellite technology.
Tim Akers, head of research at Merlin Burrows, said a wooden figurehead of a lion and shield that adorned the bow of the 18th century warship the Bonhomme Richard have been found on the seabed.
He said that other parts of the ship have also been found, including a carving of a shepherdess from the stern and a seahorse artefact that links the vessel to its previous days as a cargo ship in the Orient.
“The figurehead we have identified is a rampant lion with shield. The ear and nose bear marks of cannonballs which hit the ship before it sunk.”
The wreck, which is spread over a large area, is owned by the US. Historic England has yet to confirm that the wreck is that of the Bonhomme Richard.