Search on for Bonhomme Richard

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The U.S. Navy, along with the Ocean Technology Foundation, the British Royal navy and the French navy, is leading a search for the remains of the warship Bonhomme Richard off the coast of England. The search, which began last week, will last 10 days. The oceanographic survey ship USNS Henson, operated by Military Sealift Command for the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, is the primary platform for the search. The survey crew is comprised of oceanographers from the Stennis-based Naval Oceanographic Office. Bonhomme Richard was a frigate given by France to John Paul Jones during the Revolutionary War. It was lost in 1779 after a decisive battle with HMS Serapis. Jones and his crew emerged from the battle victorious, seizing HMS Serapis as Bonhomme Richard sustained heavy damage during the battle and sank 36 hours later. (Source: NNS, 09/11/10)