Mural marks epic battle that helped forge US Navy

A new mural depicting one of the most celebrated naval battles in US history has been painted close to where it was fought on the Yorkshire coast.

The artwork, in Bridlington, portrays the Battle of Flamborough Head, an epic encounter between the US and Royal navies during the American Revolutionary War.

It captures the USS Bonhomme Richard and the frigate HMS Serapis locked in combat beneath Bempton Cliffs on 23 September 1779.

Artist Sam Porter, of Mural Minded, said: "I'm hoping that people will be inspired by it. That's really the ultimate aim, that you put a smile on people's faces and they're interested by it."

The battle broke out when a French and American squadron of four ships attacked two warships of the Royal Navy escorting a supply convoy of about 40 vessels.

The Bonhomme Richard, under the command of Scottish-born captain John Paul Jones, captured the Serapis, but his own ship later sank and the rest of the British convoy escaped to safety in Scarborough.

It is believed that more than 300 men and boys were killed and injured.

Bridlington Ambassadors, a group that promotes the port, commissioned the mural ahead of the 250th anniversary of the battle in 2029 and said they hoped it would encourage residents and tourists to learn more about it.

"We wanted something in place for that anniversary because there will be big celebrations, and it has the potential for American tourism," said co-chairman Martyn Coltman.

"But we also wanted to bring the story to life, because we don't celebrate it enough locally. The ambassadors are about culture, tourism and the shellfish industry, and all those things fit into a maritime mural."

The mural has been painted on the side of the Quay Leisure building, near the town's war memorial.

As the battle happened at night, Porter said he had been "excited" to experiment with the colour contrast between flames and moonlight.

He described the reaction from people in the town as "amazing".

"Sometimes I'm painting, and then I'll just turn around and I've got an audience, which is something I've become quite used to," he added.

The battle is credited with sparking the birth of the US Navy, but there is "considerable debate" about who won, according to researchers from Yorkshire Coast 1779, a group that works to raise awareness of the encounter.

While the US force captured the two British warships, the group has pointed out that the Royal Navy managed to protect the convoy, despite being outnumbered two to one.

James Hodgson, a trustee of the group, said the mural was "fantastic".

"It is yet another example of a legacy which will hopefully last for many years to come.

"We want people to say, what is that? By asking the question, then hopefully they'll say, oh, the Battle of Flamborough Head.

"Then they'll say, well, why is that important? Then they'll read about it or come to one of our events."

The mural is the fourth to be completed by Porter in the town. Previous commissions have included a painting of a gansey girl – the traditional name for a girl or young woman from a fishing family – and another depicting the Great Gale of 1871.

The latest artwork was funded by the ambassadors, the town council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, alongside contributions from the owner of Quay Leisure and Coltman.

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