Bonhomme Richard Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category distributed remains of wreck
Status historic
Bonhomme richard Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		54 11.502 N,0 13.481 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 54.191700
  • Longitude: -0.224683
Wreck Depth 19.5 m
Water Depth 20 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BONHOMME RICHARD
Type frigate
Flag US
Length 44.2 m
Sonar Length 36
Sonar Width 6.6
Shadow Height 0.8
Tonnage 900
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Sep 25, 1779
Scour Dimensions 026.0,,001.5,032.0
Original Detection Year 1976
Last Detection Year 2016
Original Source survey vessel
Surveying Details H4791/76 4.11.76 LOCATED 9.1976 IN 541036N, 000200W [OGB] USING TRISPONDER. POOR SIDESCAN RESULT & NO E/S RECORD. ESTIMATED LENGTH OF WK 150FT. THOUGHT TO POSSIBLY BE THE BONHOMME RICHARD. (DECCA SURVEYS LTD, K7588/1&2). 7.7.78 FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE IN AUGUST 1978. (DECCA SURVEY NEWS RELEASE). NCA. HH100/351/09 6.10.94 WK LOCATED IN 541127N, 001345W [OGB], BELIEVED TO BE THAT OF BONHOMME RICHARD. EXAM'D BY DIVER 9.1994. VISIBLE SIGNS OF EXPOSED TIMBERS WITH SOME ANCHORS FOUND IN PROXIMITY. TO BE CONSIDERED AS POSSIBLE HISTORIC WRECK SITE. (RECEIVER OF WRECK, NO 155/94). INS AS FOUL. BR STD. HH090/730/01 19.11.97 NOT LOCATED, DISPROVED. (GARDLINE, HI 730). AMENDED TO DEAD. BR STD. HH100/351/14 16.9.99 WRECKAGE EXISTS IN 5411.502N, 0013.481W [WGD]. POSN BY DGPS. FURTHER PORTION EXISTS CLOSE NE (SEE [57731]). (FOR AUTHORITY SEE FILE). AMENDED LIVE. INS AS FOUL. BR STD. HH242/610/11 24.7.02 DESIGNATED AS AN HISTORIC WK. RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 300MTRS CENTRED ON 5411.502N, 0013.481W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 1858/02). - NM 3791/02. HH100/351/19 19.9.02 MANY WOODEN SHIPS WERE DESTROYED IN THIS AREA. A PIECE OF WOOD WAS PREVIOUSLY EXAMINED AND FOUND TO CONTAIN METAL PINS, BONHOMME HAD WOODEN PINS. (S OLD, EMAIL DTD 18.9.02). NCA. HH100/351/22 19.10.05 DOUBT CAST THAT THIS IS THE BONHOMME RICHARD, MAY BE THE REMAINS OF AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY ENGLISH COASTAL VESSEL. (P REAVELEY, EMAIL DTD 09.10.05 & TELECOM CALL DTD 18.10.05). MAINTAIN AS BONHOMME RICHARD FOR THE TIME BEING. NCA. SEP 2007/000034421 17.5.07 LOCATED IN 5411.4942N, 0013.4806W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 19.53 IN GEN DEPTH 20MTRS USING PREDICTED TIDES. LENGTH 27MTRS, WIDTH 5.6MTRS, HT 0.5MTRS. LIES 030/210 DEGS. UNABLE TO CONFIRM AS A DEFINITE WRECK AS SMALL RIDGE RUNS APPROXIMATELY NW/SE THROUGH THE AREA, WK MAY HAVE BEEN BURIED BY SEDIMENT DEPOSITION. FURTHER DIVE EXAMINATION REQUIRED. RETAIN AS FOUL. (HMSML GLEANER, HN DTD 27.3.07). NCA. SEP 2016/000007250 14.7.16 EXAM'D 5.2.16 IN 5411.502N, 0013.481W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 19.5MTRS IN GEN DEPTHS 20MTRS. LENGTH 36MTRS, WIDTH 6.6MTRS, HT 0.8MTRS, ORIENTATION 032/213. SCOUR LENGTH 26MTRS, 1.5MTRS DEEP TOWARDS 217 DEGS. WELL BROKEN UP AND MAINLY BURIED. (EGS, HI 1472). AMEND DW 19.5MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Jul 14, 2016

Circumstances of loss

EX-DUC DE DURAS. BUILT IN FRANCE. SIX 18 POUNDER, TWENTY EIGHT 12 POUNDER AND EIGHT 9 POUNDER CARRIAGE GUNS. PASSAGE LORIENT FOR PATROL AND RETURN. AN AMERICAN PRIVATEER COMMANDED BY COMMODORE JOHN PAUL JONES. SANK 36HRS AFTER SUSTAINING SEVERE DAMAGE IN SINGLE SHIP ACTION WITH HMS SERAPHIS (4TH RATE, 886 TONS BM, 44 GUNS) DURING THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. BEFORE BONHOMME RICHARD SANK HMS SERAPHIS WAS BOARDED & TAKEN OVER.

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 54 11.502 N,0 13.481 W
Bonhomme Richard on Wreck Map Bonhomme Richard Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BONHOMME RICHARD wreck located?

The BONHOMME RICHARD wreck is located at coordinates 54 11.502 N,0 13.481 W.

How deep is the BONHOMME RICHARD and where exactly is it located?

The BONHOMME RICHARD lies at a depth of about 19.5 meters and is located at coordinates 54 11.502 N,0 13.481 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BONHOMME RICHARD?

The seabed around the BONHOMME RICHARD lies at approximately 20 meters deep.

When did the BONHOMME RICHARD sink?

The BONHOMME RICHARD sank on Sep 25, 1779.

When was the wreck of the BONHOMME RICHARD discovered?

The wreck of the BONHOMME RICHARD was discovered in 1976.

What country did the BONHOMME RICHARD belong to?

The BONHOMME RICHARD belonged to US.

What was the tonnage of the BONHOMME RICHARD?

The BONHOMME RICHARD had a tonnage of 900 tons.

What type of wreck is the BONHOMME RICHARD?

The BONHOMME RICHARD is classified as a frigate.

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