HMS Serapis was a Royal Navy two-decked, fifth-rate. Randall & Company built her at Deptford Dockyard, Greenwich and launched her in March, 1779. She was originally armed with 44 guns (twenty 18-pounders, twenty 9-pounders, and four 6-pounders). Serapis was named after the god Serapis in Greek and Egyptian mythology. The Americans captured her during the American War of Independence. They transferred her to the French, who commissioned her as a privateer. She was lost off Madagascar in 1781 to a fire.
American War of Independence
Serapis was commissioned in June 1779 under Captain Richard Pearson. On 23 September she engaged the American warship under the command of Captain John Paul Jones in the North Sea at Flamborough Head, England. At the time of this battle, the ship carried 46 guns, mounting 2 additional six 6-pounders. The two vessels exchanged heavy fire and Bonhomme Richard lost most of her firepower, but by attaching the two ships together, Jones was able to overcome much of Pearson's advantage of greater firepower (although the Bonhomme Richard was a larger ship with a considerably greater crew). The famous quote, "I have not yet begun to fight!"