Le Bonhomme Richard
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The Bonhomme Richard, entrusted to the command of John Paul Jones, was formerly an East India Company vessel: the Duc de Duras. It was thanks to the interventions of Benjamin Franklin and Chaumont that this vessel was acquired from the King Louis XIV of France. Many changes were made to the Duc de Duras at J.P.J's instruction. Jean Boudriot undertook long and painstaking research in order that this model could be pieced together as faithfully as possible. The most notable changes are as follows: - On the gun deck, a further gun port in the powder store. Of the 13 original gun ports, the majority were closed off, 7 were retained and enlarged. The lower battery had 8 open gun ports on each side. Only the last 3 were armed with 18-pound canons. - On the upper deck, the primitive gun ports were enlarged to take 12-pound canons. A stern chase gun port was added at the stern and a bow chase gun port was opened at the bow, but not armed. In total that made 15 gun ports on each side with 14 canons. |
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- 5 gun ports on the rear quarter deck, of which 1 was in the coach house. Only 3 x 8-pound canons were mounted on each side.
- In summary, the Bonhomme Richard was armed with 40 canons.
- The main bitts pass through the upper deck to the gun deck.
- For the rigging, the top platforms of the fore and main masts were oversized.
Many other details were added. For a detailed study, please refer to Jean Boudriot's monograph.
In conclusion, the Bonhomme Richard was lost on 23rd September 1779, during the battle of Flamborough Head off the east coast of England, in conflict with the British vessel, HMS Serapis. The ferocity of the battle was such that when the Bonhomme Richard sank, the heavily damaged Serapis surrendered. John Paul Jones boarded her, raised his flag and was declared victor.
The Bonnehomme Richard is, for me, one of the most important models of this chronicle. It saw, unfortunately, the demise of my father, which has special significance once you know that his first model had been a Bonhomme Richard.
It represents a turning point in my life as a modelist; at his death, I promised him I would finish what he had started so well.
It is my first work in Modelisme d'Arsenal. The hull was already well advanced: all the ribs were in place, the planking finished up to the gunwale rail, the metal and wooden fastenings of the quickwork were finished, the lining was in place up to the level of the gun deck, also the riders.
At this stage, I was absorbed by "this big empty bathtub", as Gérard Delacroix liked to say! Methodically, I installed the orlop deck then the gun deck, the upper deck … closed in the stern … In brief, after nine years, I finished the Bonhomme Richard, proud of the work I had accomplished and of the homage paid to my father.
The Bonhomme Richard is presented entirely rigged, without sails, which explains the yards being brought down to the caps. The port side is open between the square-body-frame, allowing one to view the interior. At the level of the first battery, the changes and provisions demanded by John Paul Jones are visible.
The starboard side is entirely planked.
- The majority of the model is in pear, the wales are tinted.
- Ornamentation in boxwood.
- Canons in bronze, turned by Gérard Delacroix.
- Mastage in pear and apple, ropework in flax.
- Fastenings in bronze.
- In summary, the Bonhomme Richard was armed with 40 canons.
- The main bitts pass through the upper deck to the gun deck.
- For the rigging, the top platforms of the fore and main masts were oversized.
Many other details were added. For a detailed study, please refer to Jean Boudriot's monograph.
In conclusion, the Bonhomme Richard was lost on 23rd September 1779, during the battle of Flamborough Head off the east coast of England, in conflict with the British vessel, HMS Serapis. The ferocity of the battle was such that when the Bonhomme Richard sank, the heavily damaged Serapis surrendered. John Paul Jones boarded her, raised his flag and was declared victor.
The Bonnehomme Richard is, for me, one of the most important models of this chronicle. It saw, unfortunately, the demise of my father, which has special significance once you know that his first model had been a Bonhomme Richard.
It represents a turning point in my life as a modelist; at his death, I promised him I would finish what he had started so well.
It is my first work in Modelisme d'Arsenal. The hull was already well advanced: all the ribs were in place, the planking finished up to the gunwale rail, the metal and wooden fastenings of the quickwork were finished, the lining was in place up to the level of the gun deck, also the riders.
At this stage, I was absorbed by "this big empty bathtub", as Gérard Delacroix liked to say! Methodically, I installed the orlop deck then the gun deck, the upper deck … closed in the stern … In brief, after nine years, I finished the Bonhomme Richard, proud of the work I had accomplished and of the homage paid to my father.
The Bonhomme Richard is presented entirely rigged, without sails, which explains the yards being brought down to the caps. The port side is open between the square-body-frame, allowing one to view the interior. At the level of the first battery, the changes and provisions demanded by John Paul Jones are visible.
The starboard side is entirely planked.
- The majority of the model is in pear, the wales are tinted.
- Ornamentation in boxwood.
- Canons in bronze, turned by Gérard Delacroix.
- Mastage in pear and apple, ropework in flax.
- Fastenings in bronze.