Signed: Rich.d. Paton Pinxit ; Lerpiniere & Fittler Sculp.nt. " ... Dec.r 12th 1780"; "J. Boydell excudit 1781." The battle scene in the English Channel with the Serapis to the left, cannon blasting, the British flag still flying but in tatters, the central mast distroyed and floating in the water in the foreground. To the right is the Bon homme Richard, firing cannon with the American flag flying in the wind. Other ships in the American fleet are seen in the background at the right. Text in English & French: statistical description of the battle, listing forces, deaths, and damage to each ship, etc. One of the bloodiest naval engagements of the revolutionary war, the battle occurred on Sept. 23, 1779 in the English Channel off of Flamborough Head. Jones & his crew struggled against the Serapis, and although his own vessel was in ruins, Jones would still not accept the British demand for surrender declaring "I have not yet begun to fight." The battle continued and later that day the Serapis surrendered to the American naval forces. Library has another similar copy (P&E L2017G47ff).