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Filey Bay Today

Royal Navy Brings Military Might to the Battle of Flamborough Head Commemoration Weekend

The weekend of 21st – 22nd September 2024, Yorkshire Coast 1779 are commemorating the 245th Anniversary of the Battle of Flamborough Head with this year’s event taking place in Filey Bay.

 

This significant anniversary will see a fun-filled weekend open to all with a “Military Village”, including representation from Royal Navy Headquarters Northern England & Isle of Man (RNHQ NE & IoM), Royal Navy Reserves (HMS CERES) and various other military stances for you, your family and friends to walk round. Here, you can learn more about the Royal Navy in your region.


 

In addition to the Military Village, there will be a pop-up Heritage Centre telling the story of the battle, ship-wreck walks, entertainment from the Ramshackle Shantymen singers and Flamborough Long Swords and others and a ticketed dinner on Saturday night cooked and served by the Filey Sea Cadets with special guests representing both Royal Navy: Commodore Tom Knowles ADC RNHQ NE & IoM and US Navy: Commander Michael Sturm as well as a direct descendant of Royal Navy Captain Richard Pearson.

 

On Sunday at 2.30pm there will be a Sea Cadet Parade and Remembrance Service along the Filey Promenade which will include Cadet units from Hull, Bridlington and the Grimsby Cadet Band.

 

What was the Battle of Flamborough Head?

 

The Battle of Flamborough Head is a significant battle during the American War of Independence (1775-83), which took place off the Yorkshire Coast on the evening of 23rd September 1779 and is one of the most celebrated naval actions in US history despite its relatively small size and considerable dispute as to who actually won!

 

A Franco-American Squadron of four ships, including the Bonhomme Richard under the command of John Paul Jones, attempted to attack a large convoy of 40+ merchant vessels laden with essential supplies for the UK Government but the two British Royal Navy escorts, the HMS SERAPIS commanded by Captain Richard Pearson, and the Countess of Scarborough commanded by Captain Thomas Piercy engaged the Americans despite being outnumbered and outgunned two-to-one, thereby enabling the convoy to escape to relative safety beneath the “new state-of-the-art” cannons of Scarborough Castle.

 

In the ensuing battle, in which over 400 men and boys were killed and injured, John Paul Jones captured HMS Serapis and The Countess of Scarborough whilst his own ship, the Bonhomme Richard, was badly damaged and later sunk.

 

Debate continues to this day as to who emerged victorious:- John Paul Jones for his daring and capture of the Serapis, or Captains Pearson and Piercy for their heroic protection of the convoy which escaped unscathed. Both America and Great Britain attest that their missions were accomplished.

 

The battle is of particular importance in both the United States and France, which interest will increase year on year as we approach the 250th anniversary of the battle in 2029.

 

 

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