The Tragic Sinking Of The Bonhomme Richard Explained

The vast, open sea can be a cruel mistress — and while treacherous waves and unexpected storms pose plenty of dangers to unprepared sailors, so too do enemy ships. Such was the conflict at the heart of the Bonhomme Richard's final voyage, as Captain John Paul Jones found himself clashing with two British ships for nearly four frightful hours. While Jones and his frigate were victorious, their win was bittersweet — and the destruction that the Bonhomme Richard and its crew had suffered was devastating.