Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Maritime Wreck
- List Entry Number:
- 1000080
- Date first listed:
- 17-Jul-2002
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Maritime Wreck
- List Entry Number:
- 1000080
- Date first listed:
- 17-Jul-2002
- Location Description:
- Filey Bay, off Filey, North Yorkshire
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This list entry identifies a protected site which is understood to be the site of a vessel lying wrecked on or in the seabed. It's protected because of the historical, archaeological or artistic importance of the vessel, or of objects contained or formerly contained in it which may be lying on the seabed in or near the wreck.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This list entry identifies a protected site which is understood to be the site of a vessel lying wrecked on or in the seabed. It's protected because of the historical, archaeological or artistic importance of the vessel, or of objects contained or formerly contained in it which may be lying on the seabed in or near the wreck.
Location
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- Latitude:
- 54.1917
- Longitude:
- -0.224683
- National Grid Reference:
- TA 15931 78781
Summary
Possible, though unconfirmed, remains of 1779 wreck of an American privateer which foundered off Flamborough Head after a gun battle with HMS Serapis, during which she was also burnt. Commanded by John Paul Jones, the Bonhomme Richard (formerly the French East Indiaman Duc De Duras) operated out of Lorient, and on this occasion had attacked a convoy of British vessels from the Baltic.
History
The wreck was originally discovered in 1974 by a local diver recovering a fouled trawl net. Over the years, survey and research has been carried out into the site and in 2001, a detailed report concluded that there was a strong possibility of the wreck indeed being the Bonhomme Richard, although this has not yet been confirmed.
Two recent efforts to locate the Bonhomme Richard further offshore have been unsuccessful.
Details
Designation History: Designation Order: No 1858, 2002 Made: 17th July 2002 Laid before Parliament: 17th July 2002 Coming into force: 18th July 2002 Protected area: 300 metres within 54 11.502 N 000 13. 481 W
No part of the restricted area lies above the high-water mark of ordinary spring tides.
Documentary History: The Bonhomme Richard, a former French East Indiaman, was commanded by the man regarded as the founder of the American Navy, John Paul Jones. The ship was abandoned while on fire during the Battle of Flamborough Head in 1779.
Archaeological History: Although the site was discovered in 1974, it was not until a detailed reported concluded that there is a strong possibility that the remains comprise those of the Bonhomme Richard that the site was assessed for designation.
The site lies in a depth of 23 to 28 metres with the seabed in the vicinity being generally featureless in general. Between 2002 and 2003 there was a change in sand levels which indicating the mobility of the surrounding seabed.
Substantial structural remains are present on the seabed but only minimal artefacts and no guns have been identified indicating moderate importance. The fragmented nature of the site also suggests the remains are of moderate importance although the good condition of many of the timbers indicates high importance and this is the best surviving example of a late eighteenth-century French/American ship. The wreck is important within a local dimension, as a shipwreck in Filey Bay, and an international dimension with regard to the survival of a French/American vessel in UK waters. In August 2007 American scientists mounted a £175,000 expedition off Flamborough Head in search of USS Bonhomme Richard.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 1366264
- Legacy System:
- AMIE - Wrecks
Sources
Books and journals
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753)
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753)
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753)
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753)
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753)
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753), 56-57
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753), 102-109
Newcastle Courant in Newcastle Courant, (1753)
Legal
This site is designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 as it is or may prove to be the site of a vessel lying wrecked on or in the sea bed and, on account of the historical, archaeological or artistic importance of the vessel, or of any objects contained or formerly contained in it which may be lying on the sea bed in or near the wreck, it ought to be protected from unauthorised interference. Protected wreck sites are designated by Statutory Instrument. The following information has been extracted from the relevant Statutory Instrument.
Statutory Instrument
Information provided under the Statutory Instrument heading below forms part of the official record of a protected wreck site. Information provided under other headings does not form part of the official record of the designation. It has been compiled by Historic England to aid understanding of the protected wreck site.
Statutory Instruments: 2002/1858
Chart
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 24-Jun-2026 at 23:55:08.
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